The article presents data on the morphofunctional characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the routes of the infectionspread, and the mechanisms of HIV replication as well as the recent classification of antiretroviral agents used to treat HIV-infected patients.The review considers the pharmacological properties, indications and contraindications for use of nucleoside and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and presents international nonproprietary names of antiviral agents.