PHA 3112 Chapter Notes - Chapter 93: Interferon Alfa, Shingles, Hepatitis C
Document Summary
Chapter 93: antiviral agents i: drugs for non-hiv viral infections. Acyclovir inhibits viral replication by suppressing synthesis of viral dna. Selectivity based on hsvs ability to activate the drug. Herpes viruses develop resistance; rare in immunocompetent patients; common transplant & aids. Vzv reaction dormant decades in sensory nerve roots. Combined with ribavirin: boceprevir [victrelis] = hep c. Inhibit viral protease, preventing hcv replicationg from progressing to mature, infectious state: chronic hep c = 1st drug approved. Diffuclt to use due to adverse effects & extensive drug interactions. Safe during pregnancy (risk category b) but combined w/ ribavirin & pegainterferon risk category x. Combined with peginterferon alfa & ribavirin greatly enhance antiviral effects = triple therapy w/ protease inhibitor & pegainterferon alfa for hcv: interferon alfa [intron a] = hep c & hep b. After binding to receptors on host cell membranes, it blocks viral entry into cells, synthesis of viral messenger rna and viral proteins, & viral assembly & release.