Category: Anti Viral

Antiviral medications are drugs used to treat viral infections by either preventing the virus from replicating or suppressing its ability to spread in the body. Here are some common types of antiviral medications:

1. Nucleoside analogues: These drugs work by mimicking the building blocks of viral DNA or RNA, preventing the virus from replicating. Examples include acyclovir (Zovirax) for herpes simplex virus and valacyclovir (Valtrex) for herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses.
2. Neuraminidase inhibitors: These drugs block the activity of neuraminidase, an enzyme that helps viruses spread from infected cells to healthy cells. They are commonly used to treat influenza virus infections. Examples include oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza).
3. Protease inhibitors: These drugs block the activity of viral proteases, enzymes that are essential for the replication of certain viruses, such as HIV and hepatitis C virus. Examples include ritonavir (Norvir) and telaprevir (Incivek).
4. Polymerase inhibitors: These drugs inhibit the activity of viral polymerases, enzymes that are essential for the replication of viral DNA or RNA. Examples include sofosbuvir (Sovaldi) for hepatitis C virus and tenofovir (Viread) for HIV.
5. Entry inhibitors: These drugs prevent viruses from entering healthy cells by blocking the receptors or co-receptors that the virus uses to attach to the cell surface. Examples include enfuvirtide (Fuzeon) for HIV and maraviroc (Selzentry) for HIV.
6. Interferons: These proteins are naturally produced by the body in response to viral infections and have antiviral properties. Interferon medications are used to treat chronic viral infections such as hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Examples include interferon alfa-2b (Intron A) and peginterferon alfa-2a (Pegasys).

It’s important to note that antiviral medications are often specific to particular viruses, so the choice of medication will depend on the type of virus being treated. Additionally, antiviral medications may have side effects and interactions with other drugs, so it’s essential to use them under the guidance of a healthcare professional.