HIV protease inhibitor /prō′tē·ās inhib′itər/ [protein + -ase, enzyme suffix; L, inhibere, to restrain,] , any of a group of antiretroviral drugs active against the human immunodeficiency virus that prevent protease-mediated cleavage of viral polyproteins, causing production of immature viral particles that are noninfective. Kinds include indinavir sulfate, nelfinavir mesylate, ritonavir, saquinavir. See also protease inhibitor.
