Antivirals Flashcards
Viruses
◦ The biggest challenges w/ viruses is that viruses need the host to survive therefore creating antiviral medications is hard as we want to kill the virus but not hurt the host
◦ Antibiotics are not effective against viruses
‣ ABX will still be prescribed to reduce the risk of a secondary infection
◦ The best option is to prevent the viral infection through vaccines versus trying to treat the viruses
Amantadine
Reduces influenza spread
Blocks penetration and uncoating of viral particles
Acyclovir
Antiviral
◦ Does not treat or prevent the transmission of virus Inhibits viral DNA polymerase (viral enzyme) to keep the virus dormant in your body
◦ Prevents the symptoms of varicella-zoster viruses )herpes virus)
‣ Aka like cold sores
◦ Many acyclovir resistant strains of bacteria
Azidothymidine (AZT)
Antiviral
Abbreviated: AZT
◦ Affects specific viral enzymes called retro viruses that go about their lifecycle in reverse compared to other viruses
‣ Human, Animals, any Eukaryotic cells do not have/carry this enzyme therefore making this medication more affective as the AZT interferes with the retro viral enzyme without harming the host
◦ Used against retro viruses like HIV and/or FIV
◦ Very toxic side affects
Interferons
Antiviral
◦ Interferon is a protein that is produced by Monocytes & Body Cells in response to a viral infection
◦ Essentially this is a messenger protein
◦ Commonly given to the first responders to prevent viral infections
◦ Interferons are not given to an infected individuals but given to the people around them to prevent the healthy people from contracting the viral infection.
◦Antiviral properties & Anti- tumor properties
‣ Interferon can be injected into a tumor and it will stop the growth
◦ Very expensive
◦ Low Toxic
◦ Injections are painful
◦ Natural substance since our body makes the protein ourselves but just given in a higher dose allowing the body to utilize it rapidly.
