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