Product Description
Reference Standards &Impurity
AI Product Description
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Foscarnet Sodium, chemically known as trisodium phosphonoformate, is a potent antiviral medication primarily utilized in the treatment of severe herpesvirus infections. Its unique chemical structure distinguishes it from nucleoside analogues, as it lacks a sugar moiety and instead functions as an inorganic pyrophosphate analogue. The molecular formula of Foscarnet Sodium is C2H3Na3O6P2, and its official CAS registry number is 79980-65-5. This compound appears as a white to off-white crystalline powder, highly soluble in water, making it suitable for intravenous administration.
The primary clinical application of Foscarnet Sodium is the management of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with advanced HIV/AIDS who are intolerant to or resistant to ganciclovir. Additionally, it is effective against acyclovir-resistant strains of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV). Unlike many other antivirals that require intracellular phosphorylation by viral kinases to become active, Foscarnet acts directly on the viral DNA polymerase. It binds reversibly to the pyrophosphate binding site of the enzyme, thereby inhibiting the cleavage of pyrophosphate from deoxynucleotide triphosphates and halting viral DNA chain elongation. This mechanism grants it efficacy even against viruses with mutated thymidine kinase enzymes.
Despite its therapeutic value, Foscarnet Sodium carries significant safety concerns. The most common adverse effects include nephrotoxicity, electrolyte disturbances such as hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and hypokalemia, which can lead to seizures if not carefully managed. Patients receiving this therapy require rigorous monitoring of renal function and serum electrolytes throughout the treatment course. Due to these risks, it is generally reserved for second-line therapy when first-line agents fail or are contraindicated. Ongoing research continues to explore its potential in treating other DNA virus infections, though its narrow therapeutic index remains a critical consideration for clinicians worldwide.