Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Other Antiviral Agents, Amantadine, Rimantadine
Amantadine/ rimantadine inhibit uncoating of the viral RNA of influenza A within infected host cells, thus preventing its replication. Both agents are effective in the prevention of influenza a virus infection in high-risk individuals. Additionally, both drugs can be used in the treatment of influenza A, effectively reducing the duration of symptoms when administered within…
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Fusion Inhibitors
Enfuvirtide (T-20): Enfuvirtide is the first approved agent in fusion inhibitors. Can be prescribed in combination with other anteretroviral agents, for experienced HIV patients whose viral load remains detectable despite ongoing therapy. HIV-1 isolates resistant to NRTIs, NNRTIs ans PIs were susepteble to enfuvirtide. Enfuvirtide has a robust safety profile.
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Nevirapine
Nevirapine is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The drug inhibits replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by interfering with viral RNA- and DNA-directed polymerase activities of reverse transcriptase. Nevirapine binds directly to HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and exerts a virustatic effect by acting as a specific, noncompetitive HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibitor. Nevirapine is a…
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Delavirdine (DLV)
Delavirdine a synthetic antiretroviral agent, is a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.Delavirdine differs structurally from nevirapine, a dipyridodiazepinone derivative nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor. The drug inhibits replication of HIV-1 by interfering with viral RNA- and DNA-directed polymerase activities of reverse transcriptase. The mechanism of action of DLV derivatives appears to be similar to that of other…
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Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTI)
Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors are a group of structurally diverse antiretroviral agents that have a similar mechanism of action. Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors interfere with the function of reverse transcriptase by binding directly to the enzyme in a noncompetitive fashion. The NNRTIs do not depend on intracellular conversion to an active metabolite.There are 2 nonnucleoside…
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Saquinavir
Saquinavir is a synthetic peptide-like substrate analog that inhibits the activity of HIV-1 protease and prevents the cleavage of viral polyproteins. The in vitro activity of saquinavir against HIV-1 is additive to or synergistic with that of reverse transcriptase inhibitors. As with other agents of this class, it is likely that combination therapy with nucleoside…
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Ritonavir
Ritonavir is an inhibitor of HIV-1 protease with a high bioavailability (60-80%). The most common adverse effects of ritonavir are gastrointestinal disturbances, circumoral paresthesia, elevated hepatic aminotransferase levels, altered taste, and hypertriglyceridemia. Caution is advised when administering the drug to persons with impaired hepatic function. This drug should be refrigerated for storage. HIV-1 isolates resistant…
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Protease Inhibitors, Indinavir
Indinavir is a specific inhibitor of the HIV-1 protease, an enzyme essential for the production of mature, infectious virions. It is currently used for the treatment of individuals with HIV-1 infection and is recommended for use in combination with a reverse transcriptase inhibitor to delay emergence of resistance. The drug must be consumed on an…
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Stavudine
Stavudine (d4T) is a thymidine analog that requires intracellular triphosphorylation for activation, acting as a competitive inhibitor of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase and as a chain terminator. The major dose-limiting toxicity is peripheral sensory neuropathy. Less common adverse effects include pancreatitis, arthralgias, and elevation in serum transaminases.
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Zalcitabine
Zalcitabine (ddC) is a pyrimidine nucleoside that inhibits the replication of HIV-1. Like zidovudine, intracellular activation by triphosphorylation is catalyzed by cellular enzymes; competitive inhibition of the reverse transcriptase and chain termination result. The drug is effective as treatment for patients with HIV infection. It is available in oral formulation only and is typically prescribed…
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