Neuraminidase inhibitor

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Neuraminidase inhibitor

Neuraminidase inhibitors (pronunciation: /nʊərˈæmɪnɪˌdeɪz ɪnˈhɪbɪtər/) are a type of antiviral drug used in the treatment and prevention of influenza infections. They work by blocking the function of the neuraminidase enzyme, thereby preventing the virus from spreading within the body.

Etymology

The term "neuraminidase inhibitor" is derived from the name of the enzyme it inhibits, neuraminidase, and the term "inhibitor", which refers to a substance that reduces or stops the activity of another substance. The term "neuraminidase" itself is derived from "neuraminic acid", a type of sialic acid, and "-ase", a suffix used in biochemistry to denote enzymes.

Types of Neuraminidase inhibitors

There are several types of neuraminidase inhibitors, including:

These drugs are used to treat both Influenza A and Influenza B viruses.

Mechanism of action

Neuraminidase inhibitors work by binding to the neuraminidase enzyme on the surface of the influenza virus. This prevents the enzyme from cleaving sialic acid, a substance needed by the virus to spread to other cells in the body. By blocking this action, neuraminidase inhibitors help to contain the infection and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Side effects

Like all medications, neuraminidase inhibitors can cause side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and in rare cases, psychiatric symptoms such as confusion or abnormal behavior. It is important to consult a healthcare provider for advice on potential side effects and interactions with other medications.

See also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski