Products
Brivudine is commercially available in tablet form (Brivex). It has been approved in many countries since 2003. It was originally developed in the German Democratic Republic.
Structure and properties
Brivudine (C11H13BrN2O5, Mr = 333.1 g/mol) is a nucleoside analog related to thymidine.
Effects
Brivudine (ATC J05AB) has antiviral properties against herpes viruses. It inhibits viral DNA polymerase and thus varicella zoster virus replication. Brivudine is the prodrug that is biotransformed to the active drug brivudine triphosphate primarily in infected cells.
Indications
For the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) in the first initial stage in immunocompetent adults.
Dosage
According to the SmPC. Tablets are taken once daily at the same time of day, independent of meals, for one week. Treatment should be started as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms, preferably within 72 hours.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity
- Combination with 5-fluorouracil, capecitabine, floxuridine, tegafur, flucytosine, and similar agents is contraindicated. Concomitant administration may result in life-threatening toxicity due to inhibition of cytostatic drug metabolism.
- Immunosuppression
- Children and adolescents
- Pregnancy, lactation
Full precautions can be found in the drug label.
Adverse effects
The most common potential adverse effect is nausea.