Chemotherapy: Antivirals

Question 1

Amantadine

Answer 1

Blocks function of M2 ion channel protein involved in nucleocapsid uncoating of influenza virus
Prophylaxis & treatment of Influenza A infections
Not effective vs Influenza B

Question 2

Oseltamavir

Answer 2

Inhibits neuraminidase (aka sialidase, a glycoprotein enzyme that plays essential role in release of viral progeny from infected cells & assists in mvt of virus particles through upper respiratory tract)

Question 3

Zanamivir

Answer 3

Inhibits neuraminidase (aka sialidase, a glycoprotein enzyme that plays essential role in release of viral progeny from infected cells & assists in mvt of virus particles through upper respiratory tract)

Question 4

Acivlovir

Answer 4

Purine analogue
Activated by viral thymidine kinase -> phosphorylated compound inhibits viral DNA polymerase.
Present in Zovirax creams vs Herpes simplex infections of skin & mucous membranes

Question 5

Ganciclovir

Answer 5

Purine analogue
Activated by viral thymidine kinase -> phosphorylated compound inhibits viral DNA polymerase.
Selective against cytomegalovirus

Question 6

Cidofovir

Answer 6

Nucleoside phosphonate analogue of cytosine

Inhibits DNA polymerase of cytomegalovirus

Question 7

Foscarnet

Answer 7

Organic analogue of pyrophosphate

Inhibits DNA polymerase of cytomegalovirus & herpes virus

Question 8

Nevirapine

Answer 8

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Anti-HIV drug

Question 9

Zidovudine (Azidothymidine, AZT)

Answer 9

Thymidine analogue

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor

Question 10

Saquinavir

Answer 10

Inhibitor of HIV protease

Protease is vital for viral replication within cell & release of mature viral particles from an infected cell

Question 11

HAART therapy

Answer 11

Combination of nevirapine, zidovudine, saquinavir.

Used during serious manifestations of HIV infections in patients with AIDS.