Antiviral Drugs

Eleven drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of viral infections (other than those caused by human immunodeficiency virus type 1 [HIV-1] or those complicating such infection) will be reviewed in this article. They are seven nucleoside analogues, two closely related 10-carbon-ring amines, one pyrophosphate analogue, and a recombinant protein produced in bacteria (Figure 1). The characteristics of these antiviral drugs are given in Table 1, management of their adverse effects is outlined in Table 2, and specific recommendations for their use are provided in Table 3.Approved DrugsAcyclovirAcyclovir is an analogue of 2'-deoxyguanosine that exerts its . . .