Introduction
Antivirals is the umbrella term for the group of all active substances that are effective against viruses. Their effect is already derived from the word “antivirals”. It consists of the two parts “virus” and “stasis” (Greek for standstill) and describes the effect of the drugs. The aim is to prevent the viruses from multiplying any further, a so-called replication standstill should occur.
What medications are available for viruses?
Viruses do not have their own metabolism, but are dependent on the metabolic processes of the host cell. This makes the causal therapy of viral diseases considerably more difficult and it is necessary to intervene in the replication cycles (multiplication cycles). Numerous other drugs can be used for symptomatic therapy, which treats the symptoms but not the causes: Anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers and antipyretic drugs can treat the consequences of the viral infection.
However, they do not stop the viruses themselves. This topic might also be of interest to you: Virus infection Normally, the body itself manages to fight the viruses with its own immune system and to fight the infection. However, not all patients have an immune system that works so well that they can successfully fight off the infection.
Then drugs against viruses become necessary, as they are currently the only possibility for a causal therapy, i.e. a therapy that fights the causes. They inhibit the reproduction of viruses by inhibiting different stations in their reproduction process. In recent years, the number of antiviral substances has increased, which is partly due to the intensive fight against HIV infection.
Several new virostatic drugs are approved every year. Nevertheless, there are still no active substances that kill viruses sustainably. The active ingredient acyclovir is mainly used to treat infections with herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster viruses.
These mainly include infection with herpes in the genital area, cold sores (blisters on the lip) and shingles. Aciclovir is used at home mainly as a film tablet or cream. Frequent administration is necessary with this active substance.
Further interesting information on the active ingredient can be found here: AciclovirThe active ingredient Valaciclovir is converted to Aciclovir in the body. It has the advantage that it does not have to be taken as often as Aciclovir. Valaciclovir is currently only available in tablet form.
It is also used to treat herpes virus infections and to prevent CMV (cytomegalovirus) disease after a kidney transplant. Common herpes infections in which Valaciclovir is used include shingles and infection of the eye, mucous membrane or genital region with herpes simplex viruses. Famciclovir is converted into penciclovir in the body.
This must be converted once again until the active ingredient penciclovir triphoshate is produced. Famciclovir is mainly used to treat a herpes infection of the eye or genital area. Famciclovir is also used to treat shingles (herpes zoster).
It is available in tablet form and is taken two to three times a day, independently of meals. Brivudine is converted into an active ingredient in the body. The active ingredient is used to reactivate an infection with the varicella zoster virus, which manifests itself as shingles (herpes zoster).
As a rule, one tablet is taken once a day independently of a meal. Care should be taken to ensure that the tablet is taken at the same time every day. Further interesting information on the active ingredient can be found here: Brivudin
