Antivirals
Medication class detail with safety cues and nursing action focus.
Infectious DiseaseNeuroneeds review
Antivirals
Examples: acyclovir, oseltamivir
Mechanism
Interferes with viral replication; exact target and timing depend on the antiviral.
Used for
- Selected viral infections
- HSV encephalitis context
- Influenza treatment context
Side effects
- Kidney concerns with selected agents
- Nausea
- Headache
Nursing actions
- Start promptly when ordered for time-sensitive viral conditions.
- Monitor renal function and hydration for selected agents.
- Teach that antivirals target viruses, not bacterial infections.
Hold / question cues
- Acute kidney function decline with renally cleared therapy
- Severe allergic reaction
Antidote / reversal
- No routine class-specific antidote or reversal agent is seeded for this class; hold/question unsafe doses, support ABCs, notify the provider, and use facility or poison-control guidance for toxicity.
NCLEX pearl
- Antivirals work best when timing is early and the target is viral.