Drugs for Viral Infections

Vaccination is the main way to prevent diseases caused by viruses. Antiviral drugs are used to treat viral infections once they occur.

Viruses reproduce inside host cells and can disrupt normal cell functions, so antiviral drugs must get into those cells to target and kill viruses. Antiviral drugs have a very narrow margin of safety, meaning that the dose that is effective might be very close to a dose that is toxic. Therefore, these drugs must be given strictly at the prescribed dose.