Drugs for HIV & Related Opportunistic Infections Flashcards
Classes of anti-HIV drugs & examples
- Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) (Zidovudine, Lamivudine)
- Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) (Efavirenz, Nevirapine)
- Protease Inhibitors (Lopinavir, Ritonavir, Atazanavir, Darunavir)
- Entry/fusion Inhibitors (Maraviroc)
- Integrase Inhibitors (Raltegravir)
- DNA polymerase inhibitors (Acyclovir/Valacyclovir, Ganciclovir/Valganciclovir)
Aim of anti-HIV therapy
- Reduce viral load
- Modify progression of disease
Once initiated, is lifelong
Mechanism of zidovudine (ZDV)
- ZDV is a thymidine analogue
- Phosphorylated by host cell enzymes - forms 5’ triphosphate
- Competes with naturally occurring nucleotides for the active centre of reverse transcriptase - proviral DNA strand formation cannot occur with these faulty nucleotides
Mechanism of lamivudine (LVD)
- LVD is a cytidine analogue
2. Competes with cellular nucleotides for forming of proviral DNA by HIV RT
Toxicity of nRTIs (4+3)
ZDV
- GIT
- Myelosuppression - severe anemia, neutropenia
- CNS
- Lactic acidosis + fatty degeneration of liver (steatosis)
LVD
- GIT
- CNS
- Risk of lactic acidosis when combined with another nRTI in pregnancy
Drug interactions of nRTIs (2+1)
- Isoniazid decreases hepatic metab of ZDV - increases blood ZDV levels
- Probenecid decreases renal clearance of ZDV - increases blood ZDV levels
- Elevated when co-administered with cotrimoxazole
Mechanism of action of nnRTIs
Binds non-competitively to catalytic site of action of viral RT - inhibits DNA strand formation
PK of nnRTIs
Efavirenz
- orally, on empty stomach (high fat meal increases plasma levels)
- does not cross BBB readily as it is highly protein bound
Nevirapine
- orally, good bioavailability with or without food
- very lipid soluble, enters CSF more readily, crosses placenta, secreted in breast milk
Toxicity of nnRTIs (4+3)
Efavirenz
- CNS
- Skin rash
- Raised liver enzymes
- Potential teratogenicity
Nevirapine
- Rash
- Fever, nausea, headache, somnolence
- Severe hepatitis - liver failure
Precautions & Drug interactions of nnRTIs (3+4)
- Monitor hepatic transaminase
- Minimise freq of rash - gradual dose esclation
- Avoid in pregnant patients
- Efavirenz induces its own metab & that of other drugs eg warfarin, phenytoin
- Nevirapine induces its own metab by CYP3A4 enzymes and increases metab of coadministered PIs
- Enzyme inducers eg rifampicin decrease blood levels of nevirapine
- Enzyme inhibitors eg St John’s wort increases blood levels of nevirapine
Mechanism of action of protease inhibitors
- Bind to active site of HIV proteases - blocks its cleaving action on the polypeptides
- Normal fn of protease - cleaves bonds in nascent polypeptide - release specific HIV structural & functional proteins/enzymes for virions
- Boost w ritonavir - at low doses, no significant anti-protease activity, set plasma levels at therapeutic levels
Toxicity of protease inhibitors (6)
- Hyperglycemia/diabetes
- Maldistribution of fat
- Hyperlipidemia
- Reduce bone mineral density (osteomalacia) due to accelerated bone loss (minimize by giving Vit D & calcium supplements)
- Hepatic injury w hyperbilirubinemia & elevated transaminases
- Increased risk of bleeding
Drawbacks & drug interactions of protease inhibitors (3+1)
- Drug resistance if used singly - usually used w 2 RTIs
- Poor patient compliance (pill burden)
- ADR & interactions w other drugs
- Inhibits CYP450 enzymes & interacts w CYP40
- inhibition - clarithromycin, grapefruit
- inducers - rifampicin, phenytoin
- substrates - lovastatin, sildenafil
Mechanism of action of maraviroc
- CCR5 receptor antagonist
2. Blocks CCR5 - HIV is unable to bind via gp120 protein to CCR5 receptor to enter T cells - unable to enter & infect
Uses of maraviroc
- In HIV strains using CCR5 receptor
2. Used in combination with other anti-HIV drugs