Indinavir is a potent antiretroviral drug belonging to the class of HIV protease inhibitors, used to treat HIV-1 infection and prevent progression to AIDS. It was developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s by Merck & Co. and approved by the FDA in 1996 as one of the first protease inhibitors, revolutionizing HIV therapy. Indinavir works by inhibiting the HIV protease enzyme, which is essential for viral replication, thereby reducing viral load in infected patients. Its introduction marked a major milestone in antiretroviral therapy, especially as part of combination regimens known as Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), which significantly improved survival and quality of life for HIV patients. Despite newer drugs with improved dosing and safety profiles, indinavir played a key role in establishing effective HIV treatment strategies and advancing research in antiviral therapy.
