Definition

A synthetic aromatic derivative with antiviral properties. Ritonavir is a peptidomimetic agent that inhibits both HIV-1 and HIV-2 proteases, thereby preventing the cleavage of Gag-Pol polyproteins and resulting in the production of noninfectious viral particles. This agent is more active against HIV-1. Because ritonavir targets the HIV replication cycle after translation and before assembly, it is active in chronically infected cells that generally are not affected by nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors.