This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Acyclovir

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Acyclovir is a deoxyguanosine analogue which is used to treat severe herpes virus infections.

A viral enzyme performs the first of three phosphorylations, the last two are by cellular enzymes with means that acyclovir is safe in non-infected cells.

73% is excreted in urine, and the CSF concentration reaches 50% plasma levels - thus it can be used in herpes encephalitis.

Routes of administration;

  • orally in tablets or suspension
  • topically as a cream or an eye ointment
  • slow intravenous infusion

Resistance occurs in:

  • TK mutations
  • TK minus - most common, 1 per 10,000 normally - less neurovirulent
  • DNA pol mutation with maintained function

In the immune competent, resistant mutants are no problem. However in immune suppressed patients there is failure to heal, and chronic lesions form, especially in AIDS.


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.