Background: Raltegravir, an inhibitor of the HIV-1 integrase enzyme, is now available for the treatment of drug-resistant virus.
Objective: To establish raltegravir as an effective addition to the existing antiretroviral armamentarium by reviewing pharmacokinetics, efficacy, safety and tolerability.
Methods: Data from pharmacokinetic, Phase II and III clinical trials were reviewed.
Results/conclusions: Results from clinical trials indicate that raltegravir is safe and highly effective in the treatment of both antiretroviral-naïve and -experienced patients.