Isothiazolones having general structure (I) where A is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring which may contain up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, S, and N; R?1 and R2¿ are substituent groups such as alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, and carboxy; and R5 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, and Het. The isothiazolones are useful as anti-retroviral agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and anti-atherosclerotic agents.