Anti-viral and anti-fungal drugs

Question 1

Therapeutic cytokines

Answer 1

Interferon alpha

MoA - Activation of antiviral intracellular and immune responses

Indications - Hepatitis B and C

Adverse effects - Flu-like symptoms, loss of appetite

Question 2

DNA polymerase inhibitors

Answer 2

Aciclovir, ganciclovir

MoA - Virus replication blockade via inhibiting viral DNA polymerase

Indications - Herpes simplex infection, cytomegalovirus infection

Adverse effects - Nausea, diarrhoea

Question 3

Neuraminidase inhibitors

Answer 3

Oseltamivir

MoA - Prevention of viral budding and infectivity

Indications - Influenza virus infection

Adverse effects - N&V

Question 4

Nucleoside analogues

Answer 4

Ribavirin

MoA - Disrupts viral RNA synthesis

Indications - Hepatitis C, RSV

Question 5

NRTI and NNRTI

Answer 5

Tenofovir
Efavirenz

MoA - Blockade of viral reverse transcriptase function essential for viral genetic replication

Indications - HIV infection

Adverse effects - Rash, Steven-Johnson syndrome

Question 6

Viral protease inhibitors

Answer 6

Lopinavir

MoA - Blockade of viral protease required for virus particle assembly

Indications - HIV infection

Adverse effects - GI bleeding

Question 7

Integrase inhibitors

Answer 7

Dolutegravir

MoA - Disrupts integration of HIV genome into host chromosomes

Indication - HIV infection

Question 8

Viral fusion inhibitors

Answer 8

Enfuvirtide

MoA - Blockade of virus fusion to target cell membrane

Indication - HIV infection

Adverse effects - pancreatitis

Question 9

Chemokine receptor/CCR5 antagonist

Answer 9

Maraviroc

MoA - Blockade of HIV binding to co-factor for cell entry

Indication - HIV infection

Adverse effects - Nausea, diarrhoea

Question 10

Triazole anti-fungal agent

Answer 10

Fluconazole

MoA - Disruption of fungal membrane function

Indications - Candida infection

Adverse effects - Nausea, abdominal pain