Recording-2025-03-06T15_37_22.610Z

Antiviral Drug Development

• Antiviral drugs have only been successfully developed for a few viruses.

• There are three main classes of antiretroviral drugs widely used:

  • NRTIs (Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors): These drugs mimic the natural nucleotides that make up DNA and interfere with the virus's ability to replicate.

  • NNRTIs (Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors): These are a separate class that binds to reverse transcriptase, a critical enzyme in the viral replication process, and inhibit its activity.

  • PIs (Protease Inhibitors): These drugs inhibit the protease enzyme, which is necessary for the processing of viral proteins, thereby preventing the formation of mature viral particles.

Viral Mutations and Drug Resistance

• The presence of mutations in the virus can significantly affect treatment efficacy.

• If a virus has mutated, it may become resistant to certain antiretroviral drugs, which necessitates adjustments in treatment regimens.