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Antiviral drugs are gaining popularity. During periods of increased infections, both adults and children use them. They are an effective help in the fight against viral infections, fight their unpleasant symptoms and prevent their occurrence. They are available over the counter and can be used both temporarily and preventively.
Antiviral drugs are a class of drugs that are used specifically to treat viral infections such as influenza, cold sores, viral hepatitis, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Antibiotics are not useful in treating viral infectionsas opposed to certain antiviral drugs that are designed to treat specific viruses. Antiviral drugs do not destroy the target pathogen, but instead inhibit their replication by inactivating enzymes. In Poland, the following are available:
- prescription antiviral drugs
- over-the-counter antiviral drugs.
The advent of antiviral drugs is the result of our newfound knowledge of the genetic and molecular functions of organisms (which enables us to better understand the structure and function of viruses), significant advances in drug development techniques, and the pressure on doctors.
The first experimental antiviral drugs were developed in the 60s, primarily to combat herpes viruses, and were invented using traditional trial-and-error methods of drug discovery.
It wasn’t until the XNUMXs, when the full genetic sequences of viruses began to be discovered that scientists began to understand in detail how viruses “function” and what exactly chemicals are needed to inhibit their reproductive cycle.
Read also: Washing your hands can protect against viruses. How to do it effectively?
Antiviral medications help to stop the infection from getting worse and reduce the risk of it returning. Sometimes antiviral medications are used to prevent infections in people whose immune system is weakened. However, vaccination may be a better and safer option to prevent certain viral infections, such as seasonal flu and hepatitis. Some common examples of viral infections are as follows:
- flu – flu is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system, including the nose, throat and lungs. The flu and its complications can be very serious. People at increased risk of influenza complications include young children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with weakened immune systems and / or people with chronic diseases,
- herpes virus infections – herpes virus infections are often caused by the herpes simplex virus and the varicella-zoster virus,
- viral hepatitis – the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, B and C, which are caused by the hepatitis A, B and C viruses respectively. Hepatitis A is transmitted through contaminated food and water, while viral hepatitis types B and C are transmitted through blood or body fluids.
See: Tropical viruses. Ebola virus, Lassa virus and others
Antiviral drugs work directly against viruses, killing them. Since viruses are responsible for causing seasonal diseases such as influenza, antiviral medications are recommended when it occurs. The antiviral flu medications include two groups of preparations:
- amantadyna i rimantadyna – these are drugs belonging to the so-called older generation. They affect only the influenza A virus. Moreover, their use is associated with the possibility of unpleasant ailments, including even drug resistance;
- inhibitory neuraminidazy – these are drugs belonging to the so-called new generation. They act on both the A and B influenza viruses. They also cause fewer side effects, including the development of drug resistance.
The main ingredients in flu antiviral medicines, oseltamivir and zanamivir, are chemically similar to the substrate of an enzyme called neuramindase. This makes oseltamivir and zanamivir its selective inhibitors. Neuraminidase occurs in influenza viruses that use it to destroy cell membranes during infection.
Thanks to the use of this enzyme, viruses penetrate inside the cells and spread throughout the tissues. Neuraminidase inhibitors prevent the virus from being released from the infected cell and from traveling through the tissues of the respiratory system. As a result, the ability of newly emerging viruses to infect the rest of the body is impaired.
Oseltamivir is most commonly available as solid preparations – tablets. Zanamivir, on the other hand, is available as a powder delivered from an inhaler.
The three main medications used to treat herpes simplex, chickenpox and herpes zoster viruses are acyclovir, valaciclovir, and famciclovir. The varicella zoster virus causes both chickenpox after acute infection and shingles after latent or reactivated infection.
All three of the drugs mentioned above are relatively safe and have similar mechanisms of action. For example, they all work by binding to viral DNA polymerase, an enzyme used to replicate viral DNA. It’s worth noting that because valaciclovir (Valtrex) and famciclovir achieve higher blood levels, these two drugs are most effective in treating herpes zoster.
See also: Is Shingles Contagious?
Various antiviral medications are used to treat hepatitis B and C. Most of these drugs directly affect the reproduction of the virus, including:
- nucleoside and nucleotide analogues,
- inhibitory proteazy,
- inhibitory polimerazy.
Interferon, arguably the most common drug associated with the treatment of hepatitis, acts through complex mechanisms including antiviral, immunomodulatory and antiproliferative effects.
Over the past three decades, there have been significant advances in the treatment of HIV infection. There are several types of antiretroviral drugs:
- inhibitory proteazy,
- fusion inhibitors,
- nucleoside / nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors,
- non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors,
- entry inhibitors,
- HIV strand integrase transfer inhibitors (INSTIs).
These drugs work at different stages in the viral replication cycle. It is worth noting that retroviruses replicate using reverse transcription.
The editorial board recommends: A new aggressive strain of HIV
In Poland, a certain group of antiviral drugs is available that we can buy over the counter, including: Neosine. This preparation is an antiviral drug that increases the body’s resistance (stimulates the activity of the immune system). Neosine contains the active substance inosine pranobex, which inhibits the multiplication of viruses from the group of viruses which are pathogenic for humans. Herpes. Indications for the use of Neosine:
- supportive in people with reduced immunity, in the case of recurrent infections of the upper respiratory tract,
- to treat cold sores on the lips and face caused by the herpes simplex virus (Herpes simplex).
Neosine must only be used in patients with a history of herpes simplex infection. If, after 5 to 14 days, there is no improvement or the patient feels worse, see your doctor. The antiviral drug Neosine is available as tablets (adults) and syrup (children). Antiviral drug is not recommended for children under one year of age.
The most popular antiviral drugs on the Polish market also include: Elorpine and Groprinosin. One package of each of these preparations, containing 20 tablets, costs in the range from 15 to 20 PLN; a package of 50 tablets costs PLN 28-35.
The average recommended dose for these drugs is 6 tablets a day. It is recommended to take 2 tablets at a time, at intervals of several hours. The maximum recommended dose is 8 tablets a day.
It is difficult to clearly assess how long the treatment should last in the case of using antiviral drugs. Usually, it is recommended that it lasts from 5 to 14 days. After the symptoms of the disease have disappeared, the drug should be continued for another 1-2 days. If, after 2 weeks of treatment, there is no improvement in health, consult a doctor.
The most common side effects of taking antiviral medications include:
- nausea,
- tiredness, physical exhaustion,
- vomiting,
- diarrhea, constipation
- abdominal pain,
- indigestion,
- itchy skin
- rash,
- Headache,
- dizziness,
- arthralgia,
- bronchitis,
- insomnia,
- feeling irritable, feeling unwell
- excessive production of nasal secretions.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health. Do you need a medical consultation or an e-prescription? Go to halodoctor.pl, where you will get online help – quickly, safely and without leaving your home.