Antiviral Medications and Treatment Protocols

This set of flashcards covers key concepts regarding antiviral medications, their uses, mechanisms of action, side effects, and specific drug therapies for viral infections.

What are the drugs used to treat HSV?

Acyclovir and valacyclovir.

What are the side effects of antiviral drugs?

Vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache; can cause hypersensitivity/anaphylactic shock.

What is CART therapy?

Combination Antiretroviral Therapy used for HIV infection and AIDS.

What are the 7 categories of antiretroviral drugs?

NRTIs, NNRTIs, Protease inhibitors, Integrase inhibitors, Fusion inhibitors, Entry inhibitors (CCR5 antagonists), Postattachment inhibitors.

What do NRTIs do in HIV therapy?

They reduce HIV manifestations by inhibiting DNA synthesis and thus viral replication.

What is the prototype NRTI used in HIV therapy?

Zidovudine.

What are the drugs of choice for non-severe CMV?

Valganciclovir.

What mechanism do protease inhibitors use in HIV treatment?

They competitively block the HIV protease enzyme, preventing synthesis of functional proteins and viral replication.

List three ways antiviral medications work to stop viral replication.

1. Blocking the virus from entering the host cell. 2. Targeting enzymes and proteins inside the host cell. 3. Helping the host's immune system fight the viral infection.

What organs are antiviral medications toxic to?

Hepatotoxicity (liver), Nephrotoxicity (kidney), Myelosuppression (bone marrow).

What are the combination agents reported to cure Hepatitis C?

Ribavirin, ledipasvir/sofosbuvir, glecaprevir/pibrentasvir, sofosbuvir/velpatasvir.

What precautions should be taken when administering the anti-RSV drug?

Wear gloves, mask, and gown; avoid contact; do not administer if pregnant; have epinephrine available.