Drug Mnemonic

Raltegravir

Integrase inhibitor • HIV antiretroviral • "-tegravir" class
May 24, 2026

A story built from the name raltegravir itself - so the mechanism of action, key side effects, and the way Step 1 actually tests it stick on the first read.

RxMnemonic HIV Drug
Raltegravir
Integrase inhibitor • HIV antiretroviral • "-tegravir" class
RALTE = route to + GRAVIR = grab beer
Separate Raltegravir into Ralte (which sounds like route to) and gravir (which sounds like grab beer). Imagine a person who's always thinking about their route to (ralte) grab beer (gravir). This person would be inhibited from integrating into society. As such, raltegravir is an integrase inhibitor.
Raltegravir pharmacology mnemonic illustration
HIV Drug RALTE = route to | GRAVIR = grab beer
HOW STEP TESTS IT
1
Raltegravir inhibits HIV-1 integrase, the enzyme that inserts proviral DNA into the host genome. No integration means no viral replication.
2
Used in combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). Generally well tolerated; notable adverse effects are myopathy with elevated creatine kinase and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis.
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Practice Question

A 34-year-old man with newly diagnosed HIV-1 infection is started on a regimen that includes raltegravir. Which step of the viral life cycle does this drug block?

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Pharmacology Summary

Raltegravir: Mechanism, Uses & High-Yield Facts for USMLE Step 1

Raltegravir is an HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) that blocks HIV integrase from inserting proviral DNA into the host genome. Without integration, viral replication stops. It is used as part of combination antiretroviral therapy and is generally well tolerated compared to older HIV drugs. The main adverse effect to know for boards is myopathy with elevated creatine kinase and, rarely, rhabdomyolysis.

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