Nucleoside analog

Mechanism of Action

• Nucleoside analoges are a class of antiviral medications that mimic the structure of natural nucleosides, interfering with viral DNA or RNA synthesis
• Primarily used for treatment of herpesvirus infections (e.g., HSV, VZV), HIV, hepatitis B and C, and some other viral infections
• Work by being incorporated into viral nucleic acids, leading to chain termination or mutagenesis

Adverse Effects

Common

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Headache, fatigue
• Rash or pruritus
• Bone marrow suppression (e.g., zidovudine)

Serious

• Neurotoxicity (e.g., cidofovir, tenofovir)
• Nephrotoxicity (e.g., acyclovir in renal impairment)
• Lactic acidosis and hepatotoxicity (e.g., nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors like zidovudine)
• Bone density loss (e.g., tenofovir)
• Teratogenicity (e.g., ribavirin contraindicated in pregnancy)

List of Nucleoside analoges

• Acyclovir