Acyclovir

(CC) Image: David E. Volk
Acyclovir.

Acyclovir, or aciclovir, is an antimetabolite drug used to treat viral infections. It is an analog of the DNA base guanosine that is particularly used to treat and manage herpes zoster (shingles), genital herpes, and chickenpox infections. It is the prototype antiviral agent that is activated by viral thymidine kinase. The selective activity of aciclovir is due to its affinity for the thymidine kinase enzyme encoded by HSV and HZV. The drug is converted to the triphosphate version, which competes with the natural deoxyguanosine triphosphate for incorporation into viral DNA. Once incorporated, aciclovir triphosphate inhibits DNA synthesis by acting as a chain terminator. Aciclovir may cause nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity but symptoms usually resolve after cessation of treatment.

Its IUPAC chemical name is 2-amino-9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)-3H-purin-6-one and its chemical formula is C₈H₁₁N₅O₃.

Synonyms and Brand names

Synonyms

• Wellcome-248u
• Acycloguanosine
• Acyclovir Sodium
• AC2
• Aciclovier
• Acyclovir
• Aciclovir Sodium
• 9-Hydroxyethoxymethylguanine

Brand names

• Alti-Acyclovir
• Avirax
• Vipral
• Virorax
• Zovir
• Zovirax

The most up-to-date information about Acyclovir and other drugs can be found at the following sites.

• Acyclovir - FDA approved drug information (drug label) from DailyMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Acyclovir - Drug information for consumers from MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine).
• Acyclovir - Detailed information from DrugBank.