Isothiazolones having the general structure ##STR1## where A is a monocyclic or bicyclic ring which may contain up to 3 heteroatoms selected from O, S, and N; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are substituent groups such as alkyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, amino, and carboxy; and R.sup.5 is alkyl, cycloalkyl, phenyl, and Het. The isothiazolones are useful as anti-retroviral agents, anti-inflammatory agents, and anti-atherosclerotic agents.