Topical antiviral compositions and methods of using the same

A method of treating and/or preventing a viral infection in a subject in need thereof comprising:

• administering a topical composition to the skin of a subject,
• wherein the topical composition comprises a nitric oxide-releasing active pharmaceutical ingredient that releases nitric oxide to the skin of the subject, and wherein the topical composition maintains a real time concentration of nitric oxide of at least about 7 pmol of NO/mg of the composition for at least 1 hour after administration, as measured by real time in vitro release testing, thereby treating and/or preventing the viral infection in the subject.

A method of treating and/or preventing a viral infection in a subject in need thereof comprising:

• administering a topical composition to the skin of a subject,
• wherein the topical composition comprises a nitric oxide-releasing active pharmaceutical ingredient that releases nitric oxide to the skin of the subject, and wherein the topical composition maintains a real time concentration of nitric oxide of at least about 104 pmol of NO/cm2 over a time period of at least 1 hour after administration of the composition to the skin of the subject, as measured by real time in vitro release testing, thereby treating and/or preventing a viral infection in the subject.

Use of a topical composition comprising a nitric oxide-releasing active pharmaceutical ingredient in an amount of about 0.5% to about 20% by weight of the composition to treat and/or prevent a viral infection in a subject in need thereof.