When this list was compiled, the world was facing a 2020 virus pandemic which was just about to hit the USA full force. This is a list with links of to drugs which have been shown to be anti-viral. There are many kinds of virus, and using the wrong treatment can be ineffective or even dangerous, but for those who are curious, for those looking for a place to start, here’s what we could find. The trick is to disable the virus without also destroying the surface (part of the human body), and without causing other harm or killing an infected person in the case of drugs, supplements, etc.
While viruses have played an important role in the evolution of our species and may keep some bacteria in our bodies in check, the race to survive in space and to colonize new planets before ours expires will in part be a fight against them. For that reason as well, finding anti-viral remedies is a worthwhile pursuit even when the world is not facing a viral pandemic. Note that this is a snapshot and new anti-viral substances are being found and developed. This table may be complete and it may contain innacuracies. It is intended only as a starting point for futher research.
A Table of Antiviral Substances
| # | Drug | Brand Name | Method of Action | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abacavir | Ziagen | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Nausea, headache, fatigue |
| 2 | Acyclovir | Zovirax | Inhibits viral DNA synthesis | Nausea, diarrhea, headache |
| 3 | Adefovir | Hepsera | Nucleotide analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor | Weakness, headache, abdominal pain |
| 4 | Amantadine | Symmetrel | Inhibits viral uncoating | Nausea, dizziness, insomnia |
| 5 | Atazanavir | Reyataz | Protease inhibitor | Nausea, jaundice, rash |
| 6 | Baloxavir marboxil | Xofluza | Cap-dependent endonuclease inhibitor | Diarrhea, bronchitis, nausea |
| 7 | Bictegravir | Part of Biktarvy | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) | Diarrhea, nausea, headache |
| 8 | Boceprevir | Victrelis | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Anemia, fatigue, nausea |
| 9 | Cabotegravir | Vocabria | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) | Headache, fever, fatigue |
| 10 | Cidofovir | Vistide | Nucleotide analog | Nephrotoxicity, neutropenia, ocular hypotony |
| 11 | Cobicistat | Tybost | Pharmacokinetic enhancer | Nausea, jaundice, headache |
| 12 | Daclatasvir | Daklinza | NS5A inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 13 | Darunavir | Prezista | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, rash |
| 14 | Delavirdine | Rescriptor | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Rash, headache, fatigue |
| 15 | Didanosine | Videx | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, diarrhea |
| 16 | Doravirine | Pifeltro | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Nausea, dizziness, abnormal dreams |
| 17 | Dolutegravir | Tivicay | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) | Insomnia, headache, fatigue |
| 18 | Efavirenz | Sustiva | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Dizziness, insomnia, rash |
| 19 | Elbasvir | Part of Zepatier | NS5A inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 20 | Elvitegravir | Vitekta | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) | Diarrhea, nausea, headache |
| 21 | Emtricitabine | Emtriva | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Headache, diarrhea, nausea |
| 22 | Enfuvirtide | Fuzeon | Fusion inhibitor | Injection site reactions, diarrhea, nausea |
| 23 | Entecavir | Baraclude | Nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, dizziness |
| 24 | Etravirine | Intelence | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Rash, nausea, diarrhea |
| 25 | Famciclovir | Famvir | Nucleoside analog | Headache, nausea, diarrhea |
| 26 | Favipiravir | Avigan | RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitor | Diarrhea, elevated uric acid, neutropenia |
| 27 | Fosamprenavir | Lexiva | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, rash |
| 28 | Foscarnet | Foscavir | Pyrophosphate analog | Nephrotoxicity, electrolyte imbalances, seizures |
| 29 | Ganciclovir | Cytovene | Nucleoside analog | Neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia |
| 30 | Glecaprevir | Part of Mavyret | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, nausea |
| 31 | Grazoprevir | Part of Zepatier | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 32 | Ibalizumab | Trogarzo | CD4-directed post-attachment HIV-1 inhibitor | Diarrhea, dizziness, nausea |
| 33 | Inosine pranobex | Isoprinosine | Immunomodulator | Nausea, vomiting, fatigue |
| 34 | Interferon alfa | Intron A | Immunomodulator | Flu-like symptoms, depression, fatigue |
| 35 | Interferon beta | Avonex, Rebif | Immunomodulator | Flu-like symptoms, injection site reactions, depression |
| 36 | Interferon gamma | Actimmune | Immunomodulator | Fever, headache, fatigue |
| 37 | Lamivudine | Epivir | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Headache, nausea, fatigue |
| 38 | Laninamivir | Inavir | Neuraminidase inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, bronchitis |
| 39 | Ledipasvir | Part of Harvoni | NS5A inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 40 | Lenacapavir | Sunlenca | HIV-1 capsid inhibitor | Nausea, diarrhea, headache |
| 41 | Letermovir | Prevymis | CMV terminase complex inhibitor | Nausea, diarrhea, vomiting |
| 42 | Lopinavir | Part of Kaletra | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain |
| 43 | Maraviroc | Selzentry | CCR5 antagonist | Cough, fever, upper respiratory tract infections |
| 44 | Molnupiravir | Lagevrio | Nucleoside analog | Diarrhea, nausea, dizziness |
| 45 | Nelfinavir | Viracept | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, rash |
| 46 | Nevirapine | Viramune | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Rash, liver toxicity, nausea |
| 47 | Nirmatrelvir | Part of Paxlovid | SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor | Dysgeusia, diarrhea, hypertension |
| 48 | Ombitasvir | Part of Technivie, Viekira Pak | NS5A inhibitor | Fatigue, nausea, pruritus |
| 49 | Oseltamivir | Tamiflu | Neuraminidase inhibitor | Nausea, vomiting, headache |
| 50 | Palivizumab | Synagis | Monoclonal antibody | Fever, rash, injection site reactions |
| 51 | Paritaprevir | Part of Technivie, Viekira Pak | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Fatigue, nausea, pruritus |
| 52 | Penciclovir | Denavir | Nucleoside analog | Application site reactions |
| 53 | Peramivir | Rapivab | Neuraminidase inhibitor | Diarrhea, neutropenia, constipation |
| 54 | Pibrentasvir | Part of Mavyret | NS5A inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, nausea |
| 55 | Pleconaril | Not marketed | Viral capsid binder | Headache, diarrhea, nausea |
| 56 | Raltegravir | Isentress | Integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI) | Nausea, headache, dizziness |
| 57 | Remdesivir | Veklury | Nucleotide analog | Nausea, ALT elevation, headache |
| 58 | Ribavirin | Copegus, Rebetol | Nucleoside analog | Anemia, fatigue, headache |
| 59 | Rilpivirine | Edurant | Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) | Depression, headache, insomnia |
| 60 | Rimantadine | Flumadine | M2 protein inhibitor | Nausea, insomnia, dizziness |
| 61 | Ritonavir | Norvir | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, taste disturbances |
| 62 | Saquinavir | Invirase | Protease inhibitor | Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain |
| 63 | Simeprevir | Olysio | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Rash, photosensitivity, pruritus |
| 64 | Sofosbuvir | Sovaldi | NS5B polymerase inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 65 | Stavudine | Zerit | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Peripheral neuropathy, lipodystrophy, pancreatitis |
| 66 | Telaprevir | Incivek | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Rash, anemia, nausea |
| 67 | Telbivudine | Tyzeka | Nucleoside analog | Fatigue, headache, abdominal pain |
| 68 | Tenofovir alafenamide | Vemlidy | Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI) | Headache, abdominal pain, fatigue |
| 69 | Tenofovir disoproxil | Viread | Nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NtRTI) | Nausea, diarrhea, asthenia |
| 70 | Tipranavir | Aptivus | Protease inhibitor | Diarrhea, nausea, fever |
| 71 | Valacyclovir | Valtrex | Nucleoside analog | Headache, nausea, abdominal pain |
| 72 | Valganciclovir | Valcyte | Nucleoside analog | Diarrhea, nausea, neutropenia |
| 73 | Velpatasvir | Part of Epclusa | NS5A inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, nausea |
| 74 | Vidarabine | Vira-A | Nucleoside analog | Pain, inflammation at application site |
| 75 | Voxilaprevir | Part of Vosevi | NS3/4A protease inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, diarrhea |
| 76 | Zalcitabine | Hivid | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Peripheral neuropathy, stomatitis, rash |
| 77 | Zanamivir | Relenza | Neuraminidase inhibitor | Headache, diarrhea, nausea |
| 78 | Zidovudine | Retrovir | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) | Anemia, neutropenia, headache |
| 79 | Abacavir/Lamivudine | Epzicom | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) | Nausea, fatigue, headache |
| 80 | Abacavir/Lamivudine/Zidovudine | Trizivir | Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) | Nausea, fatigue, headache |
| 81 | Atazanavir/Cobicistat | Evotaz | Protease inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer | Nausea, jaundice, rash |
| 82 | Bictegravir/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide | Biktarvy | Integrase inhibitor/NRTIs | Diarrhea, nausea, headache |
| 83 | Darunavir/Cobicistat | Prezcobix | Protease inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer | Diarrhea, nausea, rash |
| 84 | Darunavir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide | Symtuza | Protease inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer/NRTIs | Diarrhea, nausea, fatigue |
| 85 | Dolutegravir/Lamivudine | Dovato | Integrase inhibitor/NRTI | Headache, nausea, diarrhea |
| 86 | Dolutegravir/Rilpivirine | Juluca | Integrase inhibitor/NNRTI | Diarrhea, headache, insomnia |
| 87 | Doravirine/Lamivudine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Delstrigo | NNRTI/NRTIs | Dizziness, abnormal dreams, nausea |
| 88 | Efavirenz/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Atripla | NNRTI/NRTIs | Dizziness, insomnia, abnormal dreams |
| 89 | Efavirenz/Lamivudine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Symfi, Symfi Lo | NNRTI/NRTIs | Dizziness, insomnia, abnormal dreams |
| 90 | Elvitegravir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide | Genvoya | Integrase inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer/NRTIs | Nausea, diarrhea, headache |
| 91 | Elvitegravir/Cobicistat/Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Stribild | Integrase inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer/NRTIs | Nausea, diarrhea, abnormal dreams |
| 92 | Emtricitabine/Rilpivirine/Tenofovir alafenamide | Odefsey | NRTIs/NNRTI | Headache, depression, insomnia |
| 93 | Emtricitabine/Rilpivirine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Complera | NRTIs/NNRTI | Depression, insomnia, headache |
| 94 | Emtricitabine/Tenofovir alafenamide | Descovy | NRTIs | Nausea, headache, fatigue |
| 95 | Emtricitabine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Truvada | NRTIs | Nausea, abdominal pain, headache |
| 96 | Lamivudine/Tenofovir disoproxil | Cimduo, Temixys | NRTIs | Headache, pain, depression |
| 97 | Lamivudine/Zidovudine | Combivir | NRTIs | Nausea, headache, fatigue |
| 98 | Ledipasvir/Sofosbuvir | Harvoni | NS5A inhibitor/Nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor | Fatigue, headache, nausea |
| 99 | Lopinavir/Ritonavir | Kaletra | Protease inhibitors | Diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain |
| 100 | Ombitasvir/Paritaprevir/Ritonavir | Technivie | NS5A inhibitor/NS3/4A protease inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer | Fatigue, nausea, pruritus |
| 101 | Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir | Paxlovid | SARS-CoV-2 main protease inhibitor/Pharmacokinetic enhancer | Dysgeusia, diarrhea, hypertension |
| 102 | Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir | Epclusa | Nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor/NS5A inhibitor | Headache, fatigue, nausea |