Antiviral Medications & Antiviral Drugs

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Antiviral Medications Antiviral medications (or antiviral drugs) are drugs used to treat viral infections . Unlike antibiotics (which target bacteria), antivirals specifically target viruses and interfere with the virus’s ability to replicate or infect cells. For example, the Cleveland Clinic explains that antivirals are "medications that help your body fight off certain viruses that can cause disease,” and notes they can also prevent infection or transmission. In practice, doctors prescribe antivirals for serious or chronic viral illnesses to reduce symptoms and shorten the infection. As one source notes, these drugs ease symptoms and shorten the length of a viral infection. Antivirals work in several ways: they may block a virus from binding to or entering cells , disrupt viral replication enzymes, or bolster the immune response to clear the infection. For example, some antivirals bind to viral proteins so the virus cannot attach to healthy cells, while others inhibit enzymes the virus needs to copy its genetic material. In all cases, the goal is to lower the viral load in the body and help the patient recover. Antiviral drugs are usually specific to particular viruses. Specific antivirals are used for specific viruses. For example, oseltamivir (Tamiflu) treats influenza, acyclovir and valacyclovir treat herpes simplex infections, antiretroviral combinations (like tenofovir, efavirenz, protease inhibitors, etc.) treat HIV, and direct-acting antivirals (e.g. sofosbuvir, ribavirin ) treat hepatitis C. Other examples include newer agents for COVID-19 ( remdesivir , molnupiravir) and drugs for hepatitis B. In short, each antiviral class targets a particular virus or family of viruses (for instance, anti-HIV drugs won’t work against the flu and vice versa). Common uses of antivirals include treating diseases such as: Influenza (flu) – agents like oseltamivir, zanamivir, etc. shorten the illness. Herpesvirus infections (shingles, cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox)