Antivirals Flashcards
Acyclovir is used for the treatment of which viruses?
HSV-1 and 2 as well as VZV (little to no in vivo activity against other herpesviruses)
What makes acyclovir a great choice?
Greater affinity for viral polymerase than cellular polymerase
What has to happen to acyclovir once it is inside the cell to make it active?
phosphorylation
What is the downside to oral acyclovir?
It has a low bioavailability
What is a pro-drug?
A drug that is inactivate until taken and activate in the liver
What is the pro-drug for acyclovir?
Valacyclovir as well as famciclovir
What is used to treat CMV?
Ganciclovir
What is the pro-drug form of ganciclovir?
Valganciclovir
What are the downsides to gangciclovir?
Less specific than acyclovir so it is more toxic. Platelet and neutrophil count drop
What are two broad activity DNA polymerase inhibitors?
Foscarnet and Cidofovir
What is the major toxicity of foscarnet and cidofovir?
They can harm the kidneys
What is the main drug used to treat influenza?
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
Oseltamivir is used to treat which virus?
Influenza
What is the function of oseltamivir?
It is a neuraminidase inhibitor so it prevents the virion from being released from the host cell
What does the HCV antiviral inhibit?
protease