L16-17 Antivirals Flashcards
What is the MOA of acyclovir and why is it relatively non-toxic?
Taken into cell and phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase to a monophosphate form–concentrates the drug 30-300x in herpes infected cells
Further phosphorylated by host cell to triphosphate form that competes for dGTP spot in viral DNA stopping replication by inhibiting DNA polymerase
What are the two primary drugs used for Herpes and how are they different?
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Valacyclovir (Valtrex)–prodrug converted to acyclovir providing higher serum levels and greater effectiveness
What are the uses of acyclovir (Zovirax)?
Initial episodes of genital herpes–oral and topical, recurrent episodes to reduce spread, herpes keratitis–topically, HSV encephalitis or neonatal herpes–IV, prophylaxis in organ transplant, in immune compromised used prophylactically for herpes simplex, herpes zoster, varicella-zoster, in AIDS for hairy leukoplakia
What are the side effects of acyclovir?
Somnolence and lethargy when combined with zidovudine
High IV dose can cause renal tubular obstruction especially with cyclosporine–avoided with hydration and slow infusion
Safe for pregnancy
Famciclovir (Famvir)
Works much like acyclovir–guanine analog that inhibits DNA polymerase, phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase
Converted in vivo to Penciclovir (Denavir) which can be used topically for herpes labialis
Longer intracellular t1/2 than acyclovir
Excreted by kidney
Used for acute treatment of herpes zoster, also used for initial treatment and prevention of genital herpes
Trifluridine (Viroptic)
Thymidine analog that inhibits viral DNA synthesis
Active against HSV 1 and 2
Topical use for herpes resistant to acyclovir
Toxicity: visual haze
Docosanol (Abreva)
Inhibits fusion of HSV to plasma membrane
Topical use for cold sores
MOA of Ganciclovir Sodium (Cytovene) and Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
Synthetic analogue of guanine like acyclovir but far more active against CMV and also less selective so more toxic to host
Phosphorylated by thymidine kinase in cells with herpes and viral protein kinase phosphotransferase in cells with CMV
Difference between Ganciclovir Sodium (Cytovene) and Valganciclovir (Valcyte)
Oral availability of Ganciclovir is not great but Valganciclovir is much better
When is ganciclovir used?
IV for life or sight threatening CMV
Transplant patients to reduce risk of CMV
Can be implanted in eye for 5-8 months to treat CMV retinitis
When is valganciclovir used?
Orally for prophylaxis and therapy of CMV infections
Ganciclovir toxicity
Neutropenia and thrombocytopenia possible, mainly IV and combined with zidovudine
Nausea, headache
Teratogenic and carcinogenic in animals but appears safe in humans
Cidofovir (Vistide)
Cytosine analog that works similar to acyclovir and ganciclovir in inhibiting DNA synthesis in virus but doesn’t need activation
Used for CMV retinitis in HIV patients and for resistant herpes
Renal tubular necrosis can occur–prevent with hydration and probenacid
Foscarnet (Foscavir)
Analogue of inorganic phosphate that prevents DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase
Treats acyclovir resistant HSV and CMV retinitis
Can be combined with ganciclovir
Kidney elimination
Nephrotoxic in renal insufficiency–dose chosen based on creatinine clearance
Hypocalcemia, seizures, hallucinations, genital ulcers,can occur
Teratogenic
Fomivirsen (Vitravene)
Inhibits CMV replication and protein synthesis
Administered by intravitreal injection to treat CMV retinitis in HIV patients who failed other therapy
Causes ocular inflammation and visual impairment
Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and Zanamivir (Relenza)
Use: Influenza
MOA: inhibit neuraminidase which prevents release of virus from the cell
Oseltamivir given orally, activated in gut and liver, excreted in kidneys
Zanamivir given intranasally or by oral inhaler because not well absorbed orally
SE: Zanamivir can worsen COPD and cause bronchospasm in asthma
Oseltamivir can cause nausea and vomiting but is reduced if taken with food
Amantadine (Symmetrel), Rimantadine (Flumadine)
Block uncoating of virus preventing release of nucleic acids
Well absorbed orally
Kidner excretion
Use: prevent and treat influenza type A2 (Asian) in high risk patients, prophylaxis
SE: nausea, amantadine is dopamine agonist can cause CNS effects including hallucinations, confusion, anxiety, rimantadine does not cross BBB and doesn’t have these effects
Ribavirin (Virazole)
Use: RSV–hospitalized infants and kids with severe infection given aerosol, herpes, influenza, oral combined with interferon-alpha 2b or sofosbuvir to treat HepC, IV therapy can be life-saving in Lassa fever
MOA: Purine nucleoside analogue prevents mRNA synth
Toxicity: TERATOGENIC!–pregnant people can’t even administer it, dyspnea even with oral, chest soreness, cardiac arrest, hypotension, headache, anemia, depression, suicide
Treatment of Hep B
Acute Hep B is normally self-limiting
Chronic Hep B is treated with reverse transcriptase inhibitors that also inhibit HBV DNA polymerase. Goal in treatment is to cause seroconversion to HBsAg negative but treatment will continue for life. Many also used for HIV.
Tenofovir (Viread): DOC
Entecavir (Baraclude): competitive inhibitor of HBV DNA polymerase
Lamivudine (Epivir): resistance common, but well tolerated even with hepatic decompensation
Telbivudine (Tyzeka): competitive inhibitor of HBV DNA polymerase
Interferon alfa-2b (Sylatron)
Acts at several levels to inhibit viral protein synthesis and viral replication allowing the immune system to react
Toxicity significant: flu-like, myalgia, arthralgia, depression, neutropenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia, edema, hypotension
Depot injection 1x/week for 2-4 years
First treatment for HepC in combination with ribavirin
Mostly replaced by other drugs now
Simeprevir (Olysio)
HepC treatment
Blocks serine protease that is essential for making viral proteins needed for replication
Often used in combination
SE: anemia, leukopenia, neutropenia, rash, dyspnea, fatigue