Foscarnet

Pyrophosphate Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor — ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE

Key facts

Foscarnet is an ofp drug in the Pyrophosphate Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor class catalogued in DrugCentral. It was first approved by the FDA in 1991. Its mechanism of action is classified as Chelating Activity and DNA Polymerase Inhibitors. DrugCentral lists 4 molecular targets, including pol, UL54 and reverse transcriptas. Recorded indications include Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV in Immunocompromised Patients, CMV Retinitis in AIDS Patients and Encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6 infection.

• Approval status: ofp (first approved 1991 by the FDA).
• Drug class: Pyrophosphate Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor.
• Mechanism of action: Chelating Activity; DNA Polymerase Inhibitors.
• Molecular targets: pol, UL54, reverse transcriptas and DNA polymerase catalytic subunit (4 listed in DrugCentral).
• Indications: Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV in Immunocompromised Patients, CMV Retinitis in AIDS Patients and Encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6 infection.
• ATC code: J05AD01 (Phosphonic acid derivatives).
• Molecular formula: CH3O5P; molecular weight 126.00 g/mol.

Indications & contraindications

Drug–disease relationships curated by DrugCentral (OMOP / SNOMED concepts).

Indications (3)

• Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV in Immunocompromised Patients
• CMV Retinitis in AIDS Patients
• Encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6 infection

Off-label uses (4)

• Acyclovir-Resistant HSV Infections
• CMV-Related Polyradiculopathy in AIDS Patients
• Herpes zoster associated with AIDS
• Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Disease

Contraindications (14)

• Anemia
• Congenital long QT syndrome
• Dehydration
• Epilepsy
• Granulocytopenic disorder
• Hyperphosphatemia
• Hypocalcemia
• Hypokalemia
• Hypomagnesemia
• Hypophosphatemia
• Kidney disease
• Neutropenic disorder
• Prolonged QT interval
• Torsades de pointes

Mechanism & targets

• Mechanism of action (MoA): Chelating Activity; DNA Polymerase Inhibitors
• Established pharmacologic class: Pyrophosphate Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor

Molecular targets (4)

Target	Gene	Action	Activity
Reverse transcriptase/RNaseH	pol	unknown	IC50 5.69
DNA polymerase catalytic subunit	UL54	unknown	IC50 5.60
Reverse transcriptase	reverse transcriptas	unknown	IC50 5.60
DNA polymerase catalytic subunit	—	inhibitor	IC50 4.13

Regulatory approvals (2)

Date	Agency	Marketed as	Applicant	Orphan
2019-03-26	PMDA	—	CLINIGEN K.K.
1991-09-27	FDA	—	CLINIGEN HLTHCARE

ATC classification

ATC code	Therapeutic hierarchy
J05AD01	ANTIINFECTIVES FOR SYSTEMIC USE › ANTIVIRALS FOR SYSTEMIC USE › DIRECT ACTING ANTIVIRALS › Phosphonic acid derivatives

Reported adverse-event signals

Strongest FDA FAERS disproportionality signals (log-likelihood ratio). A signal is a statistical association in spontaneous reports, not proof that the drug causes the event.

MedDRA term	LLR
Drug resistance	1493.2
Pathogen resistance	784.7
Nephropathy toxic	644.6
Cytomegalovirus viraemia	603.0
Off label use	525.4
Cytomegalovirus infection reactivation	498.5
Cytomegalovirus infection	485.0
Encephalitis cytomegalovirus	473.5
Cystitis haemorrhagic	395.5
Pancytopenia	360.7
BK virus infection	353.3
Renal impairment	307.2

Chemical structure

Full physicochemical, ADMET and 3D-structure analysis of Foscarnet is on its molecule page.

• Molecular formula: CH₃O₅P
• Molecular weight: 126.00 g/mol
• CAS number: —
• InChIKey: ZJAOAACCNHFJAH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
• PubChem CID: 3415

OC(=O)P(O)(O)=O

Frequently asked questions

Answers are generated from the structured data on this page, not written by hand.

What is Foscarnet used for?

DrugCentral lists the following indications for Foscarnet: Acyclovir-Resistant Mucocutaneous HSV in Immunocompromised Patients, CMV Retinitis in AIDS Patients and Encephalitis caused by human herpesvirus 6 infection.

How does Foscarnet work?

Foscarnet is classified as Chelating Activity and DNA Polymerase Inhibitors; its molecular targets in DrugCentral include pol, UL54, reverse transcriptas and DNA polymerase catalytic subunit (inhibitor).

When was Foscarnet first approved?

Foscarnet was first approved by the FDA in 1991.

What drug class does Foscarnet belong to?

Foscarnet is in the Pyrophosphate Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor class.

What is the chemical formula of Foscarnet?

Foscarnet has the molecular formula CH3O5P and a molecular weight of 126.00 g/mol.

Sources

• DrugCentral drug card 1241 — structure, indications, targets, approvals, pharmacologic classes (CC BY-SA 4.0)
• ChEMBL CHEMBL666 — compound record and bioactivity
• PubChem CID 3415 — chemical identifiers
• DrugBank DB00529 — drug record
• FDA UNII 364P9RVW4X — substance identity
• DailyMed: FDA labels for Foscarnet — current prescribing information (label search)
• FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (openFDA FAERS) — adverse-event signals, as aggregated by DrugCentral

How this page is built: methodology · editorial policy & corrections.