Introduction to the usage, dosage and precautions of Tecovir for the treatment of smallpox

Introduction: Tecovirimat is an inhibitor of the VP37 envelope protein of orthopoxvirus and is indicated for the treatment of human smallpox disease in adults and pediatric patients weighing at least 13 kg. When using Tecovirib, your doctor's prescriptions and instructions should be strictly followed. This article mainly talks about the usage, dosage, precautions, and mechanism of action of Tecovir.

Usage and Dosage Instructions

1. Adults and children weighing no less than 13kg: The recommended dose is 600 mg per day, divided into two doses (300 mg each time), taken orally after meals, and 14 consecutive days is a course of treatment.

2. Usage under special circumstances: Tecovir can also be used clinically in off-label situations. The US CDC has also recommended it. Especially during monkeypox outbreaks, Tecovir can be used under compassionate use.

3. Food effects: High-fat foods can increase the blood concentration of Tecovirib, so the impact of food type on drug absorption should be considered when taking it.

4. Pharmacokinetics: The pharmacokinetic properties of Tecovirib show that food, especially high-fat foods, can significantly affect its absorption, leading to an increase in blood drug concentration.

Precautions

Food, especially high-fat foods, can increase the blood concentration of Tecovirib, so the impact of food type on drug absorption should be considered when taking it. Tecovirib may interact with other medications, and patients should inform their doctor about all medications they are taking or plan to take before use. The safety of Tecovirib in pregnant and nursing women has not been established. During the period of medication, patients should strictly follow the doctor's instructions and recommendations and are not allowed to stop medication or change the dosage on their own. While taking Tecovirib, you should monitor for adverse reactions and seek medical attention promptly if serious side effects occur.

Mechanism of action

The mechanism of action of Tecovirib is mainly to exert antiviral effects by interfering with the replication mechanism of human smallpox virus. Specifically, Tecovirib mainly targets the polymerase enzyme complex in virus-infected cells, binding to viral DNA polymerase and inhibiting its activity, thereby inhibiting the replication and transcription process of the viral genome. This mechanism of action prevents the virus from replicating its DNA, thereby limiting its ability to spread and infect cells.

Tecovirib also binds to viral genes to prevent the release of viruses from cells, further enhancing its antiviral effect. This dual mechanism of action results in strong activity against viruses of the genus Orthopoxvirus, including smallpox virus, vaccinia virus and monkeypox virus.

During the period of using Tecovirib, patients should communicate with their doctors regularly and provide timely feedback on any discomfort or abnormalities so that the doctor can adjust the treatment plan according to the patient's specific situation.