Antivirals Flashcards
Docosanol
MOA
22-C saturated alcohol that interferes wth viral fusion step (blocks viral entry)
Acyclovir
MOA
Gets phosphorylated by viral kinase, then phosphorylated two more times by cellular kinase
Lacks a 3’-OH group, so when it gets incorporated in viral DNA replication, the process is halted
What advantage does valcyclovir have over acyclovir?
Valcyclovir has improved oral bioavailability
How could a herpes virus develop resistance to acyclovir?
Delete its thymidine kinase that provides the first phosphorylation for acyclovir
Prevents the acyclovir from being activated
Acyclovir
AEs
Malaise
Nausea
GI sx
Headache
At high doses, may precipitate in kidneys and cause renal failure
Gancyclovir
Indications
Used in CMV, HHV6 and 8, EBV
Gancyclovir
AEs
Bone marrow suppression
Rash
Diarrhea
N/V
Foscarnet
MOA
Directly inhibits viral DNA polymerase by inhibiting pyrophosphate binding
Foscarnet
AEs
Nephrotoxicity (foscarnet crystals in glomeruli)
Electrolyte abnormalities (K+, Ca2+, Mg2+)
Myelosuppression and anemia
Pritelivir
MOA
Helicase-primase inhibitor that halts DNA replication
What is the classic treatment for HCV (pre-2010)?
Ribavirin (daily) and weekly injections of pegylated interferon (alpha)
Ribavirin
MOA
Depletes GTP pools to block viral RNA polymerase
Ribavirin
AEs
Teratogenic
Severe hemolytic anemia
Interferon
MOA
Stimulates host antiviral immunity
Interferon
AEs
Flu-like symptoms
Depression
Myelosuppression
Drug-induced lupus