10
Antiviral agents
Learning objectives
Upon completion of this chapter, you should be able to:
1.
Discuss problems with treating viral infections in humans and the use of antiviral agents across the lifespan.
2.
Describe characteristics of common viruses and the resultant clinical presentations of common viral
infections.
3.
Describe the therapeutic actions, indications, pharmacokinetics, contraindications, most common adverse
reactions and important drug–drug interactions associated with each of the types of antiviral agents
discussed in the chapter.
4.
Compare and contrast the prototype drugs for each type of antiviral agent with the other drugs within that
group.
5.
Outline the care considerations for people receiving each class of antiviral agent.
Glossary of key terms
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS):
collection of opportunistic infections and cancers that occurs when the immune
system is severely depressed by a decrease in the number of functioning helper T cells; caused by infection with human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
AIDS-related complex (ARC):
collection of less serious opportunistic infections with HIV infection; the decrease in the number of
helper T cells is less severe than in fully developed AIDS
CCR5 coreceptor antagonist:
a drug that blocks the receptor site the HIV virus needs to interact with in order to enter the cell
cytomegalovirus (CMV):
DNA virus that accounts for many respiratory, ophthalmic and liver infections
fusion inhibitor:
a drug that prevents the fusion of the HIV-1 virus with the human cellular membrane, preventing it from entering
the cell
helper T cell:
human lymphocyte that helps to initiate immune reactions in response to tissue invasion
hepatitis B:
a serious to potentially fatal viral infection of the liver, transmitted by body fluids
herpes:
DNA virus that accounts for many diseases, including shingles, cold sores, genital herpes and encephalitis
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV):
retrovirus that attacks helper T cells, leading to a decrease in immune function and
AIDS or ARC
influenza A:
RNA virus that invades tissues of the respiratory tract, causing the signs and symptoms of the common cold or “flu”
integrase inhibitor:
a drug that inhibits the activity of the virus-specific enzyme integrase, an encoded enzyme needed for viral
replication, blocking this enzyme prevents the formation of the HIV-1 provirus
interferon:
tissue hormone that is released in response to viral invasion; blocks viral replication
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors:
drugs that bind to sites on the reverse transcriptase, preventing RNA and
DNA-dependent DNA polymerase activities needed to carry out the viral DNA synthesis; prevents the transfer of information that
allows the virus to replicate and survive
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors:
drugs that prevent the growth of the viral DNA chain, preventing it from inserting into
the host DNA, so viral replication cannot occur
protease inhibitors:
drugs that block the activity of the enzyme protease in HIV; protease is essential for the maturation of infectious
virus, and its absence leads to the formation of an immature and non-infective HIV particle
virus:
particle of DNA or RNA surrounded by a protein coat that survives by invading a cell to alter its functioning
Test your current knowledge of antiviral agents with a PrepU Practice Quiz!
