Antivirals



Antivirals







TERMS



  • □ rimantadine (Flumadine)


  • □ acyclovir (Zovirax)


  • □ saquinavir (Fortovase)


  • □ zidovudine (Retrovir)


  • □ nevirapine (Viramune)



QUICK LOOK AT THE CHAPTER AHEAD

A virus is a speck of RNA or DNA covered by protein that lives by placing its own RNA or DNA into a healthy cell and then gains control of the cell.1 Viruses cause a wide range of diseases from the “flu” to AIDS. They are difficult to kill because they are able to live in human cells.2

The antiviral drugs prevent viruses from reproducing, and this allows the body’s immune system to kill them.3 At present there are a limited number of viruses for which antiviral drugs can have an effect. These include Influenza viruses, Herpes viruses, Cytomegalovirus (CMV), Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and hepatitis viruses.3 This chapter will discuss five major drug classes that are used in the treatment of viruses: drugs for influenza; drugs for CMV and Herpes, protease inhibitors, nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors, and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors—all of which are used in the fight against HIV and AIDS.









Table 12-1 Antivirals



























Prototype Drug

Related Drugs

Drug Classification


rimantadine (Flumadine)

amantadine (Symmetrel)
oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
ribavirin (Virazole)
zanamivir (Relenza)

Drugs for Influenza


acyclovir (Zovirax)

cidofovir (Vistide)
famciclovir (Famvir)
foscarnet (Foscavir)
ganciclovir (Cytovene)
valacyclovir (Valtrex)
valganciclovir (Valcyte)

Drugs for CMV and Herpes


saquinavir (Fortovase)

amprenavir (Agenerase)
indinavir (Crixivan)
lopinavir (Kaletra)
nelfinavir (Viracept)
ritonavir (Norvir)

Protease inhibitors


zidovudine (Retrovir)

abacavir (Ziagen)
didanosine (Videx)
lamivudine (Epivir)
stavudine (Zerit)
tenofovir (Viread)
zalcitabine (Hivid)

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors


nevirapine (Viramune)

delaviridine (Rescriptor)
efavirenz (Sustiva)
emitricitabine (Emtriva)

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors



ANTIVIRAL DRUG CLIENT TEACHING


Drugs for Influenza


Rimantadine (Flumadine)



  • Do not breast-feed.


  • No activities that require concentration until drug reaction known


  • Tell physician of side effects of chest palpitations, leg edema, or breathing problems.



image Tell physician of side effects of chest palpitations, leg edema, or breathing problems.



Drugs for CMV and Herpes


Acyclovir (Zovirax)



  • Drug is not a cure.


  • Wash affected area three to four times a day with soap, and dry well.


  • No sexual contact when lesions present


  • Always wear a condom.


  • Begin treatment as soon as symptoms appear.


  • Do not get ointment in eyes.


  • No breast-feeding



image Wash affected area three to four times a day with soap, and dry well.



image No sexual contact when lesions present



image Always wear a condom.


Protease Inhibitors


Saquinavir (Fortovase)



  • Take exactly as ordered.


  • Body fat will be redistributed.


  • Tell physician of diabetes symptoms: polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia.


  • Increase fluid intake to 1.5 L/day.


  • Avoid transferring HIV to others.


  • Do not breast-feed.


  • Drug is not a cure.



image Increase fluid intake to 1.5 L/day.


Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors


Zidovudine (Retrovir)



  • Take exactly as ordered.


  • Tell physician of symptoms of lactic acidosis immediately: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, hyperventilation.


  • Drug is not a cure.


  • Do not breast-feed.


  • Avoid transferring HIV to others.



image Tell physician of symptoms of lactic acidosis immediately: fatigue, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, hyperventilation.



Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors


Nevirapine (Viramune)

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Oct 21, 2016 | Posted by in NURSING | Comments Off on Antivirals

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