Sorivudine (INN), is a nucleoside analogue antiviral drug, marketed under trade names such as Usevir (Nippon Shoji, Eisai) and Brovavir (BMS). It is used for the treatment of varicella zoster virus infections.

Pharmacology

Feature

Mechanism of action

Microbiology

Sorivudine is active against most species in the herpesvirus family.

Interactions

Sorivudine interacts strongly and in some cases lethally with fluorouracil (5-FU), its prodrugs and related substances. This is based on the metabolite bromovinyluracil (BVU), which irreversibly inhibits the enzyme dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) which is necessary for inactivating 5-FU. The closely related drug brivudine has the same interaction. Also, it should be taken into consideration that the ability to metabolize this drug can decrease with age due to the composition of the gut microbiota. Specifically, after the age of 60, it has been observed a reduction of the metabolic potential to degrade this compound decreases.