title: Antiviral chemotherapy and chemoprophylaxis.
abstract: Antiviral compounds have been developed for use in chemoprophylaxis and chemotherapy of a variety of infections in humans, including those caused by influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus, and herpesviruses. The efficacy of several of these compounds has been demonstrated in rigorously controlled trials. Advances in molecular virology have led to the identification of biochemically defined, virus-specific functions that serve as appropriate targets for the future development of antiviral compounds. Clinical investigators and practicing physicians are now confronting questions previously raised with the use of antibacterial antibiotics. These questions concern appropriate routes of administration for antiviral compounds, optimal dosage regimens, risks of long-term prophylaxis, and the emergence of resistant organisms.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dolin
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000547:Amantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000188:drug therapy; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000187:drug effects; D004660:Encephalitis / Q000188:drug therapy; D017245:Foscarnet; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000188:drug therapy; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000188:drug therapy; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000187:drug effects; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012299:Rimantadine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014740:Vidarabine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: C040342:9-(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxymethyl)guanine triphosphate; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012299:Rimantadine; D017245:Foscarnet; D012254:Ribavirin; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate; D000547:Amantadine; D014740:Vidarabine; D010746:Phosphonoacetic Acid; D000212:Acyclovir