Are there any FDA-licensed antiviral drugs for smallpox?
No. There are no antiviral drugs approved for the treatment of smallpox or for complications of smallpox vaccination. However, there is one antiviral drug cidofovir which might be studied on an Investigational New Drug (IND) basis under an FDA protocol. Cidofovir is currently FDA-approved only for treatment of CMV retinitis in persons with HIV/AIDS. Cidofovir is a toxic drug, particularly on the kidney. It can only be given IV and one dose lasts one week. Another medication, probenecid, should always be given with cidofovir to decrease cidofovirs nephrotoxicity. The WHC ID/Nephrology Services have written a protocol to give cidofovir with probenecid if needed for smallpox.
