Antiviral chemotherapy

Abstract

A new era of effective antiviral chemotherapy has been introduced with the development of effective agents for herpes viruses, human immunodeficiency viruses, and influenza A, among others. Innovations in antiviral agents promise to revolutionize clinical care for previously untreatable viral disease, with reduced toxicity and enhanced effectiveness. This review focuses on the proven agents in viral disease; acyclovir, ribavirin, amantadine, rimantadine, and zidovudine. The promise of interferon and current concepts of its clinical application are reviewed.