Foscarnet

Information about Foscarnet

Foscarnet a simple pyrophosphate molecule which has antiviral activity against many viruses and is used intravenously in therapy of serious cytomegalovirus infections, largely in immunocompromised patients. Foscarnet has been associated with mild-to-moderate serum aminotransferase elevations during intravenous therapy, but not with episodes of clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Foscarnet

Foscarnet (fos kar' net) is a pyrophosphate (phosphonoformate) that has antiviral activity against several DNA viruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV) and hepatitis B virus. Foscarnet appears to act by inhibition of the pyrophosphate binding sites of viral DNA polymerases. Foscarnet is poorly absorbed orally and must be given intravenously.

FDA approval information for Foscarnet

Foscarnet was approved for use in the United States in 1991, but has had limited use.

Clinical use of Foscarnet

Current indications include therapy of CMV retinitis and acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised individuals. Foscarnet is available as an intravenous formulation of 24 mg/mL generically and previously under the brand name of Foscavir. The recommended dose in adults is 40 to 60 mg/kg intravenously every 8 to 12 hours for 2 to 4 weeks, which must be carefully monitored and dose adjusted for renal insufficiency. Side effects include headache, dizziness, confusion, fever, fatigue, abdominal pain, bone marrow suppression, renal dysfunction and rash. Uncommon but potentially severe adverse events include renal failure, seizures, hypersensitivity reactions, Stevens Johnson syndrome and rhabdomyolysis. Drugs for HIV Infection, in the Subclass Antiretroviral Agents

• Fusion Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Enfuvirtide, Maraviroc

• Integrase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Dolutegravir, Elvitegravir, Raltegravir

• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Ibalizumab

• Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Delavirdine, Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Rilpivirine

• Nucleoside Analogues (HIV)
  • Abacavir, Didanosine, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, Stavudine, Tenofovir, Zidovudine

• Protease Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Darunavir, Fosamprenavir, Indinavir, Lopinavir, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Tipranavir

Drugs for Hepatitis B

• Alpha Interferon, Adefovir, Emtricitabine, Entecavir, Lamivudine, Telbivudine, Tenofovir

Drugs for Hepatitis C

• Interferon Based Therapies
  • Alpha Interferon and Peginterferon, Ribavirin

HCV NS5A Inhibitors

• Daclatasvir, Elbasvir, Ledipasvir, Ombitasvir, Pibrentasvir, Velpatasvir

HCV NS5B Inhibitors (Polymerase inhibitors)

• Dasabuvir, Sofosbuvir

HCV Protease Inhibitors

• Asunaprevir, Boceprevir, Glecaprevir, Grazoprevir, Paritaprevir, Simeprevir, Telaprevir, Voxilaprevir

Combination Therapies

• Epclusa, Harvoni, Mavyret, Technive, Viekira Pak, Vosevi, Zepatier

Drugs for Herpes Virus

• infections (HSV), CMV, others

Acyclovir, Cidofovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Valacyclovir, Valganciclovir

Drugs for Influenza

• Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Rimantadine, Zanamivir

• Dailymed label info on Foscarnet
• FDA Foscarnet

Foscarnet Resources
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