# Acyclovir (Acyclovir)

Source: https://ourhealthnetwork.com/drugs/acyclovir
Data: FDA Orange Book and OpenFDA, refreshed periodically

## What is Acyclovir?

Acyclovir is a herpes simplex viru nucleoside analog dna polymerase inhibitor. It is prescribed to treat encephalitis, herpes simplex, herpes genitalis. Across the United States, 48,000 doctors prescribe Acyclovir to approximately 182,000 Medicare patients.

## Brand names

Acyclovir

## Indications

Acyclovir is prescribed for several conditions including encephalitis, herpes simplex, herpes genitalis, among others.

## Conditions treated

- [Encephalitis](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/encephalitis)
- [Herpes Simplex](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/herpes-simplex)
- [Herpes Genitalis](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/herpes-genitalis)
- [Chickenpox](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/chickenpox)
- [AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/aids-related-opportunistic-infections)
- [Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/herpes-zoster-ophthalmicus)
- [Epstein-Barr Virus Infections](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/epstein-barr-virus-infections)
- [Herpes Labialis](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/conditions/herpes-labialis)

## Mechanism of action

Mechanism of Antiviral Action: Acyclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1), 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by HSV and VZV.

## Drug classification

- Established Pharmacologic Class: Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor [EPC]
- Mechanism of Action class: DNA Polymerase Inhibitors [MoA]
- Route of administration: ORAL

## Common side effects

and diarrhea, and headache, nausea, patient treatments, patients was diarrhea, patients was malaise, placebo recipients reported malaise, year reported diarrhea

## Sources and disclaimers

- FDA Orange Book and OpenFDA dataset
- This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

## Related

- [All drugs](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/drugs)
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- [Methodology](https://ourhealthnetwork.com/methodology)