Tipranavir (Aptivus)

Tipranavir (Aptivus) is a protease inhibitor, an anti-HIV drug that reduces the amount of virus in the body. Anti-HIV drugs such as tipranavir slow down or prevent damage to the immune system and reduce the risk of developing AIDS-related illnesses. Protease inhibitors act by blocking HIV’s protease or proteinase, the enzyme that HIV uses to break up large viral proteins so new HIV particles can be made. For more information about how protease inhibitors work, see Protease inhibitors .

Tipranavir is one of a new class of HIV protease inhibitors called dihydropyrones or non-peptidic protease inhibitors. It is designed to be active against HIV strains that have become resistant to other protease inhibitors. Originally developed by Pharmacia & Upjohn under the codename PNU-140690, tipranavir was acquired by Boehringer Ingelheim, who market it as Aptivus.

Accelerated approval of tipranavir for treatment-experienced patients was granted by the US FDA and the European Union in 2005. Ritonavir-boosting of the drug is recommended. Tipranavir was approved for paediatric use in the US in 2008.


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