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Antiviral Medications: Mechanisms, Common Agents, and Prevention Strategies

Antivirals target specific viral replication steps—entry, uncoating, genome replication, assembly, release—reducing viral load and disease severity.

Major Classes and Examples

Key Principles

Early initiation (often within 48–72 h of symptom onset) maximizes benefit.
Agent selection guided by virus, susceptibility, patient factors (renal/hepatic function, drug interactions).
Resistance monitoring for chronic infections (HIV, HCV, HBV).

Non‑Pharmacologic Prevention

Hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette.
Vaccination (influenza, COVID‑19, HPV, hepatitis A/B, etc.).
Environmental cleaning, isolation of ill individuals.
Pre‑exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV.

Antivirals are powerful tools but work best alongside public‑health measures and vaccination.

Viral Infections - Related Articles

Class / Target	Agents	Indications
Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues (polymerase inhibition)	Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir, Penciclovir	HSV‑1/2, VZV (shingles)
Ribavirin (broad‑spectrum)	Ribavirin	HCV (with DAAs), RSV (severe)
Neuraminidase inhibitors	Oseltamivir, Zanamivir, Peramivir	Influenza A/B
Direct‑acting antivirals (DAAs) for HCV	Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir, Glecaprevir/pibrentasvir	Hepatitis C (curative)
Integrase/protease/reverse transcriptase inhibitors	Multiple (ART regimens)	HIV
RNA‑dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors	Remdesivir, Molnupiravir, Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir	COVID‑19