Which medication should be administered at the correct time to avoid drug resistance in HIV therapy?

In the context of HIV therapy, the most critical factor in preventing the development of drug resistance is ensuring that antiretroviral medications are taken consistently and at the appropriate times. Saquinavir, sold under the brand name Invirase, is a protease inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV. It is essential to administer this medication on schedule, as missed doses can lead to suboptimal drug concentrations in the bloodstream, potentially allowing the virus to replicate and develop resistance to the drug.

The mechanism of drug resistance in HIV is often due to the high mutation rate of the virus. When drug levels fall below necessary therapeutic thresholds, the virus can sometimes mutate in a way that it can survive even in the presence of the medication. Therefore, maintaining consistent levels of saquinavir through adherence to prescribed dosing is key to suppressing the viral load and reducing the likelihood of resistance.

Other options listed in the question, while they have their own therapeutic applications, do not serve the same purpose in the context of HIV therapy. Acyclovir is primarily used for herpes virus infections, nystatin is an antifungal medication, and aerosolized pentamidine is used to prevent Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised individuals, not as an antire