What is the key advantage of using combination antiviral therapy?

The key advantage of using combination antiviral therapy is that it minimizes drug resistance. When multiple antiviral agents are administered together, they target different stages of the viral life cycle or different mechanisms of action. This reduces the likelihood that the virus can mutate to evade the effects of the drugs, which is a common issue with monotherapy. If a single drug is used, the virus may develop resistance to that specific agent, rendering treatment less effective over time.

In contrast, combination therapy makes it significantly harder for the virus to adapt, as it would need to acquire multiple mutations simultaneously to resist all involved treatments. This strategy is particularly important in treating viruses known for rapid mutation rates, such as HIV and hepatitis C, ensuring that therapy maintains its effectiveness in controlling viral replication and preventing disease progression.