Classification of Anti-Viral Drugs and MOA, ADRs Uses of Zidovudine

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Antiviral Drugs Classification:

Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NRTIs):

Examples: Zidovudine (AZT), Lamivudine, Emtricitabine

MOA: These drugs inhibit the reverse transcriptase enzyme, preventing the conversion of viral RNA into DNA, which is necessary for HIV replication.

Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (NNRTIs):

Examples: Efavirenz, Nevirapine, Etravirine

MOA: These drugs bind directly to the reverse transcriptase enzyme and inhibit its activity.

Protease Inhibitors (PIs):

Examples: Ritonavir, Lopinavir, Saquinavir

MOA: These drugs inhibit the protease enzyme, which is essential for the cleavage of viral polyproteins into functional proteins, thus preventing viral maturation.

Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (INSTIs):

Examples: Raltegravir, Dolutegravir, Elvitegravir

MOA: These drugs inhibit the integrase enzyme, which is required for the integration of viral DNA into the host genome.

Fusion Inhibitors:

Examples: Enfuvirtide

MOA: These drugs prevent the fusion of HIV with the host cell membrane.

CCR5 Antagonists:

Examples: Maraviroc

MOA: These drugs block the CCR5 receptor on the surface of the host cells, which is necessary for HIV entry.

HIV Entry Inhibitors:

Examples: Ibalizumab

MOA: These drugs inhibit HIV from entering the host cells.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Direct-Acting Antivirals (DAAs):

Examples: Sofosbuvir, Ledipasvir, Daclatasvir

MOA: These drugs target specific steps in the HCV lifecycle, such as viral RNA polymerase or protease.

Zidovudine (AZT):

MOA: Zidovudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI). It is a synthetic analog of thymidine that gets phosphorylated within the cell to its active triphosphate form. This active form competes with natural nucleotides for incorporation into viral DNA by reverse transcriptase. Once incorporated, Zidovudine causes premature chain termination, inhibiting further viral DNA synthesis.

ADRs (Adverse Drug Reactions):

Hematologic: Bone marrow suppression leads to anemia, neutropenia, and thrombocytopenia.

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Neurological: Headache, dizziness, insomnia.

Others: Myopathy, lactic acidosis, hepatic steatosis.

Uses:

HIV Infection: Used in the treatment of HIV infection as part of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: Used during pregnancy and delivery to reduce the risk of HIV transmission from mother to child.

Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Used in combination with other antiretrovirals for post-exposure prophylaxis following potential HIV exposure.

Zidovudine was one of the first drugs used to treat HIV, and although newer drugs have since been developed with improved efficacy and fewer side effects, it remains an important component in certain treatment regimens.






 

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