Antivirals Flashcards
name two antivirals
acyclovir and oseltamivir
how does aciclovir work
inhibiting viral DNA polymerase.
what is aciclovir used to treat
Herpes simplex and Varicella zoster virus.
herpes simplex responsible for disease like
genital herpes
varicella zoster virus causes
chickenpox and shingles
interaction between herpes simplex and varicella zoster
enzyme that Herpes simplex and Varicella zoster encode phosphorylates aciclovir into its active form and it can then begin to work.
aciclovir controversy
its treatment in bell’s palsy
some clinicians will prescribe aciclovir while others will combine it with steroids and other clinicians prescribe nothing at all.
why won’t some clinicians treat Bell’s palsy with aciclovir
A large proportion of cases of Bell’s palsy will resolve on their own over time.
Prescribing aciclovir on its own is pointless.
There is only a small difference made when co-prescribing steroids and aciclovir.
oseltamivir is an antiviral sold under the brand name
Tamiflu
mode of action of oseltamivir
works by inhibiting neuraminidase
what is oseltamivir/ tamiflu used to reat
It is used specifically as prophylaxis and treatment of patients that are of at least two weeks of age and have had symptoms of Influenza A and/or Influenza B for no more than forty-eight hours.
how oseltamivir different to aciclovir
t is almost like the reverse of aciclovir as oseltamivir starts off in its pro-drug form as a phosphate rather than being phosphorylated so that it can be activated.
