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[Drugs active against herpesviruses]
1Laboratoire ce virologie, CERVI Groupe hospitalier Pitié-Salpêtnère, Paris.
La Revue Du Praticien
|March 15, 1997
Summary
New antiviral drugs are being developed for herpesvirus infections. Acyclovir is a primary treatment for herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), with newer options available for resistant cases.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pharmacology
- Infectious Diseases
Context:
- Herpesviruses, including herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV), are significant human pathogens.
- Antiviral drug development is crucial for managing herpesvirus infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.
Purpose:
- To review current and emerging antiviral therapies for herpesvirus infections.
- To highlight the efficacy, toxicity profiles, and specific indications of key antiviral drugs.
Summary:
- Acyclovir is the standard treatment for HSV and VZV infections due to its favorable safety and efficacy profile.
- Valaciclovir, a prodrug of acyclovir, offers improved dosing convenience for HSV and VZV.
- Ganciclovir and foscarnet are alternatives for acyclovir-resistant cytomegalovirus (CMV) and HSV infections in immunocompromised individuals, though they carry risks of hematologic and renal toxicity, respectively.
- Penciclovir, the active metabolite of famciclovir, is indicated for the treatment of zona (shingles).
Impact:
- Provides an overview of the current landscape of antiviral treatments for common herpesvirus infections.
- Informs clinicians about the benefits and limitations of various antiviral agents, aiding in treatment selection.
- Underscores the ongoing need for effective and safe antiviral therapies, especially for drug-resistant herpesvirus strains.