HA4792 Acyclovir, CAS 59277-89-3

Acyclovir Specifications

Acyclovir Description

Acyclovir is a nucleoside analogue and antiviral agent used in the therapy of herpes and varicella-zoster virus infections. Acyclovir has not been associated with clinically apparent liver injury. Acyclovir (ay sye’ kloe vir) is an acyclic purine nucleoside analogue (acycloguanosine) which has antiviral activity against many herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus and varicella-zoster.

Acyclovir is phosphorylated intracellularly by viral kinases, and the resultant triphosphate competes with guanosine for incorporation into viral DNA blocking viral DNA polymerase activity. Acyclovir is indicated for therapy of localized as well as disseminated herpes simplex infections, both type 1 and 2. It is also used for varicella-zoster infections (chickenpox and shingles). Acyclovir was approved for use in herpes virus infections in the United States in 1982 and is still widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of genital and mucocutaneous herpes simplex infection with almost 5 million prescriptions filled yearly.

Acyclovir Applications

Acyclovir is a nucleoside analogue and antiviral agent used in the therapy of herpes and varicella-zoster virus infections. Acyclovir has not been associated with clinically apparent liver injury.

Reference:

1. Hayashi et al (2006) The role of a HSV thymidine kinase stimulating substance, scopadulciol, in improving the efficacy of cancer gene therapy. J.Gene.Med. 8 1056 PMID: 16779868
2. Suzuki et al (2006) Synergistic antiviral activity of acyclovir and vidarabine against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and varicella-zoster virus. Antiviral Res. 72 157 PMID: 16797734
3. Elion et al (1977) Selectivity of action of an antiherpetic agent, 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine. Proc.Natl.Acad.Sci.USA. 74 5716