Brivudine: a herpes virostatic with rapid antiviral activity and once-daily dosing.

Author(s): Rabasseda X

Affiliation(s): Department of Medical Information, Prous Science, S.A., PO Box 540, 08025 Barcelona, Spain. service@prous.com

Publication date & source: 2003-05, Drugs Today (Barc)., 39(5):359-71.

Publication type: Review

Brivudine is an analog of thymidine, and is incorporated into the viral DNA. It blocks the action of DNA polymerases, thus inhibiting viral replication. It has a stronger antiviral effect against the varicella-zoster virus compared with reference compounds such as aciclovir or penciclovir. The efficacy of brivudine has been documented in a number of clinical trials in patients with herpesvirus-related infections, particularly in patients with herpes-zoster. At a dose of 125 mg once daily, brivudine has proved to be superior to aciclovir with respect to reducing the period of new blister production in patients with herpes-zoster, and has shortened the duration of post-herpetic neuralgia. Tolerability was equivalent to that of aciclovir or placebo, with occasional gastrointestinal disorders leading to treatment withdrawal in a minority of patients. (c) 2003 Prous Science. All rights reserved.