[4] Anti-Virals

Question 1

How do you activate the anti-viral activity of anti-herpes agents?

Answer 1

Three rounds of phosphorylation by viral thymidine kinase (TK) to be converted into a monophosphate, then uses cellular enzymes to be converted to a triphosphate form that competitively inhibits activity of viral DNA polymerase

Question 2

Active form of Acyclovir

Answer 2

Triphosphate Form

Question 3

Benefit of Valacyclovir over Acyclovir

Answer 3

Valacyclovir is an oral preparation with much higher bioavailability than Acyclovir