Antiviral Drugs
Mechanism of Action
Attachment antagonists
arildone
Block attachment molecule on host cell or pathogen
Picornaviruses eg, polioviruses, cold viruses
Inhibit viral uncoating
Amantadine, rimantadine
Prevents viral uncoating
Influenza A virus
Mechanism of Action (cont.)
Inhibit nucleic acid synthesis
* Acyclovir
* Ganciclovir
* Ribavirin
Phosphorylation by virus encoded protein kinase activates the drug to inhibit DNA & RNA synthesis
Herpes, Epstein Barr, CMV, Varicella
RSV, HCV, Influenza A, hemorrhagic fever viruses
Mechanism of Action (cont.)
Inhibit nucleic acid synthesis
* Adenosine arabinoside
*Nucleoside analogs (azidothymidine
Phosphorylation by cell encoded protein kinase activates the drug to inhibit DNA synthesis
Herpes virus
HIV
Nucleoside analogues
Mechanism of Action (cont.)
Inhibit viral proteins
* Protease inhibitors blocks the active HIV site