HIV/AIDS Glossary

Attachment inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs that interfere with the early interaction between the gp120 protein on the outer surface of HIV and the CD4 receptor on the host cell (CD4 T lymphocytes [CD4 cells]). This prevents HIV from binding to and entering CD4 cells. Attachment inhibitors are part of a larger class of HIV drugs called entry inhibitors.