Antiviral pharmacotherapeutics

The goal of any antiviral drug is to eradicate or inhibit the virion while producing minimal effect on host cell function. Most antiviral medications will inhibit at least one step in the process of viral replication. Antiviral targets include interference of viral fusion to the host cell membrane, inhibition of viral transcription or translation, and interference with viral assembly and departure from host cells [1]. Because each of these processes is active, the effects of antiviral agents on latent virions will be limited. This chapter reviews the mechanism of action, efficacy, side effects, and considerations for use of the commonly available antiviral agents.