Neuraminidase inhibitor

Neuraminidase inhibitors are a class of antiviral drugs targeted at the influenza virus, which work by blocking the function of the viral neuraminidase protein, thus preventing the virus from reproducing by budding from the host cell.

Oseltamivir (Tamiflu) a prodrug, Zanamivir (Relenza), Laninamivir (Inavir), and Peramivir belong to this class. Unlike the M2 inhibitors, which work only against the influenza A, neuraminidase inhibitors act against both influenza A and influenza B.

Common side effects include nausea and vomiting.

Specific inhibitors

• Laninamivir
• Oseltamivir
• Zanamivir
• Peramivir

See also

• Neuraminidase
• Viral neuraminidase
• Glycoside hydrolase

External resources

• This flash animation shows the mode of action of oseltamivir (Tamiflu)
• Replication of influenza virus

References

• ^ Gubareva LV (2004). "Molecular mechanisms of influenza virus resistance to neuraminidase inhibitors". Virus Research 103 (1–2): 199–203. doi:10.1016/j.virusres.2004.02.034. PMID 15163510.  DOI