What is the mechanism of action for acyclovir?
Mechanism of Action: Acyclovir is converted to its triphosphate form, acyclovir triphosphate (ACV-TP), which competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase, incorporates into and terminates the growing viral DNA chain, and inactivates the viral DNA polymerase.
What does acyclovir do chemically?
Acyclovir is a nucleoside analog that inhibits the action of viral DNA polymerase and DNA replication of different herpesvirus. Acyclovir has a wide therapeutic window as overdose is rare in otherwise healthy patients. Acyclovir is becomes acyclovir monophosphate due to the action of viral thymidine kinase.
What is the active form of acyclovir?
Aciclovir (ACV), also known as acyclovir, is an antiviral medication. It is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles….Aciclovir.
| Clinical data | |
|---|---|
| MedlinePlus | a681045 |
| License data | US DailyMed: Acyclovir US FDA: Acyclovir |
| Pregnancy category | AU : B3 |
What should you not take with acyclovir?
Common medications that may interact with acyclovir include:
- amphotericin.
- clozapine.
- hepatitis B medications, such as entecavir.
- HIV medications, such as tenofovir and zidovudine.
- gentamicin.
- NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, or naproxen.
- other antivirals, such as valacyclovir.
- probenecid.
What are the contraindications of acyclovir?
The only absolute contraindication to acyclovir is hypersensitivity. Cautions include renal failure/impairment, immunocompromised host, potential risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)).
What viruses does acyclovir work against?
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that treats infections caused by HSV-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster viruses such as chickenpox, genital herpes, and shingles. It is most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
How long does acyclovir stay in your system?
However, once valacyclovir has converted into acyclovir, it has a half-life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function. This means that a single dose of valacyclovir, after conversion into acyclovir by your body, will reduce in concentration every 2.5 hours to 3.3 hours.
Does acyclovir speed up healing?
It can speed up healing of the sores and decrease symptoms (such as tingling, pain, burning, itching). Acyclovir belongs to a class of medications known as antivirals. It works by stopping the growth of the virus.
Who should not take acyclovir?
You should not take acyclovir buccal tablets (Sitavig) if you are allergic to milk proteins. Tell your doctor if you have ever had: kidney disease; or. a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine).
Can you take acyclovir everyday?
The tablets, capsules, and suspension are usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes, it is usually taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months.
How much water should you drink when taking acyclovir?
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids every day while you are taking this medicine. This will help prevent side effects. You can still pass chickenpox, shingles, or herpes to another person even while you are taking this medicine.
Are there any side effects to taking acyclovir?
Overall, acyclovir is a remarkably safe drug considering its potent antiviral effect. The most frequent reactions with short-term use of oral acyclovir are nausea and vomiting and with 6 months’ use headache, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
How is valacyclovir converted to L-valine?
Valacyclovir is converted to acyclovir and L-valine by first-pass intestinal and/or hepatic metabolism. Acyclovir is converted to a small extent to inactive metabolites by aldehyde oxidase and by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase. Neither valacyclovir nor acyclovir is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes.
What kind of drug is acyclovir used for?
Acyclovir is a guanosine analog used to treat herpes simplex, varicella zoster, herpes zoster. Acyclovir is a nucleotide analog antiviral used to treat herpes simplex, Varicella zoster, herpes zoster, herpes labialis, and acute herpetic keratitis 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.
Where is valacyclovir hydrochloride absorbed in the body?
Metabolism:After oral administration, valacyclovir hydrochloride is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. Valacyclovir is converted to acyclovir and L-valine by first-pass intestinal and/or hepatic metabolism. Acyclovir is converted to a small extent to inactive metabolites by aldehyde oxidase and by alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenase.