Anti-Viral Drugs Flashcards
What do the nucleoside analogue components of anti-viral drugs do?
interfere with nucleic acid synthesis
Name four infections that can be treated with anti-viral drugs
Herpes virus
HIV
Chronic hepatitis B and C
Viral respiratory infections
When is treatment of herpes virus most effective?
when started early
Name four anti-herpes virus drugs
- aciclovir
- famciclovir/valaciclovir
- ganciclovir
- cidofovir
How is aciclovir converted to its active form?
by an enzyme coded for by the virus genome
give more specificity for viral cell and lower toxicity for uninfected host cells
What precautions must be made with aciclovir treatment if there is renal impairment present?
dosage lowering is required to prevent neurological toxicity
What is the function of famciclovir and valaciclovir?
- oral agents
- related to aciclovir
- better bioavailability
- for HSV/shingles treatment
What is the function of ganciclovir?
- active against CMV
- toxic
- given IV
What is ganciclovir use restricted to?
life/sight threatening infections in immunocompromised patients
What is the function of cidofovir?
- CMV retinitis treatment
- when other anti-virals are inappropriate
Name the main anti-HIV drug
Zidovudine
How does zidovudine work?
nucleoside analogue that interferes with reverse transcriptase action
slows down virus replication
Name two anti-virals used in chronic hepatitis B and C treatment
Interferon-alpha
Lamivudine
How does interferon-alpha work?
- protein that forms part of immune response
- when pegylated (attached to PEG), excretion is slowed and dosage is reduced to once a week
- low response rate
- serious side-effects
- high cost
What is the difference between interferon-alpha and lamivudine?
Lamivudine can be given orally
