Anti-virals

Question 1

What is the function of anti-virals?

Answer 1

To inhibit stages of the viral lifecycle to halt multiplication.

Question 2

What is the MOA of Aciclovir?

Answer 2

Aciclovir > Aciclovir monophosphate by viral thymidine kinase.
Aciclovir monophosphate > Aciclovir triphopshate by host cell kinases.
Aciclovir TP has a similar structure to guanosine and is incoporated into viral DNA > inhibits DNA polymerase activity > inhibits replication.

Question 3

What is Aciclovir used to treat?

Answer 3

HSV.

VZV (i.e. shingles).

Question 4

What are the side effects of Aciclovir?

Answer 4

GI symptoms.

Neurotoxicity.

Question 5

What are the names of the modified version of Aciclovir that have a longer 1/2 life?

Answer 5

Valaciclovir.

Famciclovir.

Question 6

What is Ganciclovir used for the treatment of?

Answer 6

CMV.

Question 7

What type of patient is CMV usually occur in?

Answer 7

Immunosuppressed:
> HIV.
> Post chemo/radiotherapy.

Question 8

What are the side effects of Ganciclovir?

Answer 8

Neutropaenia.
Anaemia.
Thrombocytopaenia.
Leukopaenia.
Pancytopaenia.

Question 9

What is the MOA of oseltamivir?

Answer 9

Neuraminidase inhibitor - inhibits neuraminidase interacting with sialic acid on the plasma membrane > inhibits release from the cell.

Question 10

What are the side effects of oseltamivir?

Answer 10

“Flu-like symptoms” - headache, cough, nausea.

Question 11

What is zanamivir

Answer 11

An inhaled preparation of oseltamivir that allows direct delivery to the RT.