Protease inhibitors 

Protease inhibitors are synthetic drugs that inhibit the action of HIV-1 protease, an enzyme that cleaves two precursor proteins into smaller fragments. These fragments are needed for viral growth, infectivity and replication. Protease inhibitors bind to the active site of the protease enzyme and prevent the maturation of the newly produced virions so that they remain non-infectious.

Protease inhibitors are used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV infection) and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Protease inhibitors are a class of ARV drugs that block the protein assembly stages of HIV viral replication. They are recognized as potent suppressors of HIV replication, with a high genetic barrier to the emergence of drug resistance.

Antiproteases are a broad class of proteins that inhibit proteases and modulate immune responses in the lung. Respiratory antiproteases are comprised of four families: tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), serine protease inhibitors (serpins), trappin-2/elafin, and SLPI.

Proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are enzymes that break down protein. These enzymes are made by animals, plants, fungi, and bacteria. Proteolytic enzymes break down proteins in the body or on the skin. This might help with digestion or with the breakdown of proteins involved in swelling and pain.