What type of drug is Zanamivir?

Zanamivir is classified as a neuraminidase inhibitor, which is a specific type of antiviral drug used primarily to treat infections caused by influenza viruses. By inhibiting the neuraminidase enzyme, Zanamivir prevents the virus from releasing new viral particles from infected host cells, thereby reducing the spread of the virus within the respiratory tract and helping to alleviate symptoms of the infection.

This mechanism of action is crucial in managing influenza, especially when administered early in the course of the illness. Neuraminidase inhibitors like Zanamivir provide an effective treatment option against specific strains of the influenza virus, which is particularly important given the potential for seasonal epidemics and pandemic outbreaks of influenza.

Other drug classes listed in the options serve entirely different purposes. Protease inhibitors target viral proteases necessary for viral replication, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors interfere with viral RNA synthesis, and integrase inhibitors prevent viral DNA from integrating into the host genome. Each of these classes works by different mechanisms and is used against other viruses, making them distinct from the action of Zanamivir.