protease inhibitor

noun

, Pharmacology.

1. a drug that inhibits the action of protease, especially any of a class of antiviral drugs that prevent the cleavage and replication of HIV proteins.

protease inhibitor

noun

1. any one of a class of antiviral drugs that impair the growth and replication of HIV by inhibiting the action of protease produced by the virus: used in the treatment of AIDS

Word History and Origins

Origin of protease inhibitor¹

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

The most heralded one in the pipeline is Pfizer’s Paxlovid, a protease inhibitor — which means it blocks an enzyme needed for viral replication.

From Vox

Hydroxychloroquine and the protease inhibitors don’t work—but dexamethasone significantly reduces mortality among hospitalized patients.

From Fortune