Antivirals

1.What is antiviral drugs ?

2.How do antiviral medications work?

3.What do antivirals treat ?

4.Types of antivirals drugs

5.What are the potential side effects of antivirals ?

6.Monographs

What is antiviral drugs ?

Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used for treating viral infections. Most antivirals target specific viruses, while a broad-spectrum antiviral is effective against a wide range of viruses.Antiviral drugs are a class of antimicrobials, a larger group which also includes antibiotic (also termed antibacterial), antifungal and antiparasitic drugs,or antiviral drugs based on monoclonal antibodies.Most antivirals are considered relatively harmless to the host, and therefore can be used to treat infections. They should be distinguished from virucides, which are not medication but deactivate or destroy virus particles, either inside or outside the body. Natural virucides are produced by some plants such as eucalyptus and Australian tea trees.

How do antiviral medications work?

Antiviral medicines work differently depending on the drug and virus type. Antivirals can:

• Block receptors so viruses can’t bind to and enter healthy cells.

• Boost the immune system, helping it fight off a viral infection.

• Lower the viral load (amount of active virus) in the body.

What do antivirals treat ?

Most viruses clear up without antiviral medications. Healthcare providers prescribe antivirals to treat chronic or life-threatening viral infections, including:

• Coronaviruses like COVID-19.

• Ebola.

• Flu, including H1N1 (swine flu).

• Genital herpes.

• Hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Types of antivirals drugs