Vidarabine

Vidarabine is an antiviral drug that is primarily used in the treatment of Herpes simplex virus infections, as well as in the treatment of varicella zoster (chickenpox and shingles) and Epstein-Barr virus. It is a type of nucleoside analogue, a class of drugs that are known to inhibit the synthesis of viral DNA.

History

Vidarabine was first synthesized in the 1960s by the National Cancer Institute as part of a program to develop antiviral drugs. It was initially used as a topical ointment to treat herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes. In the 1970s, it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in the treatment of systemic herpes simplex virus infections and varicella zoster virus infections.

Mechanism of Action

Vidarabine works by inhibiting the replication of viral DNA. It is converted into its active form, vidarabine triphosphate, by cellular enzymes. This active form then inhibits the activity of DNA polymerase, an enzyme that is necessary for the replication of the virus. By inhibiting this enzyme, vidarabine prevents the virus from replicating and spreading.

Side Effects

The most common side effects of vidarabine are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other side effects can include fever, rash, and changes in blood counts. In rare cases, vidarabine can cause serious side effects such as neurotoxicity and bone marrow suppression.

Resistance

Resistance to vidarabine can occur in patients who have been treated with the drug for a long period of time. This resistance is usually due to mutations in the viral DNA polymerase that make it less susceptible to the inhibitory effects of vidarabine.

See Also

• Antiviral drug
• Herpes simplex virus
• Varicella zoster virus
• Epstein-Barr virus
• Nucleoside analogue