RT Book, Section A1 Katzung, Bertram G. A1 Kruidering-Hall, Marieke A1 Trevor, Anthony J. SR Print(0) ID 1156530685 T1 Antiviral Agents T2 Katzung & Trevor's Pharmacology: Examination & Board Review, 12e YR 2019 FD 2019 PB McGraw-Hill Education PP New York, NY SN 9781259641022 LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1156530685 RD 2024/03/28 AB The replication of viruses depends on synthetic processes of the host cell. Antiviral drugs can exert their actions at several stages of viral replication including viral entry, nucleic acid synthesis and integration, late protein synthesis, and processing, as well as in the final stages of viral packaging and virion release (Figure 49–1). Most of the drugs active against herpes viruses (HSV) and many agents active against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are antimetabolites, structurally similar to naturally occurring compounds. The selective toxicity of antiviral drugs usually depends on greater susceptibility of viral enzymes to their inhibitory actions than host cell enzymes.One of the most important trends in viral chemotherapy, especially in the management of HIV infection, has been the introduction of combination drug therapy. This can result in greater clinical effectiveness in viral infections and can also prevent, or delay, the emergence of resistance.