Fomivirsen

Fomivirsen is an antiviral drug that was approved by the FDA in 1998 for the treatment of CMV retinitis. It is the first antisense drug to be approved for use in humans.

Mechanism of Action

Fomivirsen works by blocking the replication of CMV in the body. It is an antisense oligonucleotide, a type of drug that works by binding to the mRNA of the virus and preventing it from being translated into protein. This stops the virus from replicating and spreading in the body.

Uses

Fomivirsen is used to treat CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS. CMV retinitis is a serious infection of the retina that can lead to blindness. It is often seen in patients with advanced AIDS who have a weakened immune system.

Side Effects

Common side effects of fomivirsen include eye inflammation, increased intraocular pressure, and blurred vision. Less common side effects can include retinal detachment, eye pain, and decreased visual acuity.

Administration

Fomivirsen is administered by intravitreal injection, which involves injecting the drug directly into the vitreous humor of the eye. This allows the drug to reach the retina, where the CMV infection is located.

History

Fomivirsen was developed by Isis Pharmaceuticals, and was the first antisense drug to be approved by the FDA. It was approved for use in 1998, but was later discontinued in 2002 due to a decrease in the incidence of CMV retinitis following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for AIDS.