What condition is treated with the antiviral drug sofosbuvir?

Sofosbuvir is an antiviral medication specifically indicated for the treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections. It is a direct-acting antiviral that works by inhibiting the viral RNA polymerase, which is critical for the replication of the virus. This mechanism effectively reduces the viral load in patients with Hepatitis C, leading to virologic cure in many cases.

The choice of sofosbuvir for Hepatitis C is rooted in its strong efficacy and the improved treatment regimens that have emerged for this condition. It is often used in combination with other antiviral agents to maximize its therapeutic effects and minimize the potential for resistance.

In contrast, other listed conditions such as influenza, Hepatitis B, and herpes simplex virus infections require different antiviral treatments. For exemplo, influenza is often treated with neuraminidase inhibitors like oseltamivir, Hepatitis B is usually addressed with nucleos(t)ide analogs such as tenofovir or entecavir, and herpes simplex infections are commonly treated with acyclovir or valacyclovir. Therefore, the specificity of sofosbuvir for Hepatitis C distinguishes it from the treatments used for other viral infections.