.alpha.- and .beta.-amino acid hydroxyethylamino sulfonamide compounds are effective as retroviral protease inhibitors, and in particular as inhibitors of HIV protease.

alpha. - y los compuestos ácidos beta.-amino de la sulfamida del hydroxyethylamino son eficaces como inhibidores retroviral del protease, y en detalle como inhibidores del protease del VIH.