saquinavir + zalcitabine

**Saquinavir + zalcitabine** is an oral combination of two antiretroviral drugs once used in the management of advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Saquinavir is a protease inhibitor that blocks the HIV-1 protease enzyme, preventing the maturation of viral particles. Zalcitabine (ddC) is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) that inhibits HIV reverse transcriptase, thereby impairing viral DNA synthesis. The combination was studied for efficacy and health-related quality of life in adults with advanced HIV. Saquinavir was developed by Roche, while zalcitabine was developed by Hoffmann-La Roche. Both have largely been replaced by newer agents due to safety, resistance, and tolerability issues. Clinical trial data indicate this combination provides modest immunologic and virologic benefits over monotherapy in patients who have failed or are intolerant to zidovudine[1][3][5].