Clinical Pharmacology Chapter 41 Anti-Viral Drugs Q&A ( 1 OF 25) Sample Questions
1. Which of the following antiviral drugs must be transformed to triphosphate in host cell?
- A. Didanosine
- B. Amantadine
- C. Acyclovir
- D. Herpes virus
- E. Zidovudine
Ans:
C
Tips: Acyclovir is converted by viral thymidine kinase to acyclovir monophosphate, which is then converted by host cell kinases to acyclovir triphosphate (ACV-TP).ACV-TP, in turn, competitively inhibits and inactivates HSV-specified DNA polymerases preventing further viral DNA synthesis without affecting the normal cellular processes.