Acyclovir
Aciclovir (ACV), also known as acyclovir and acycloguanosine is an antiviral medication.
Aciclovir is a nucleic acid analog made from guanosine. It works by decreasing the making of the virus's DNA.
The discovery of aciclovir was announced in 1977.
It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines, the most important medications needed in a basic health system.
It is available as a generic medication and is marketed under many brand names worldwide.
Drug info: Acyclovir (Zovirax®) ℞ Adult: 30 mg/kg/day, in divided q 8 hr doses in a minimum volume of 100 ml IV fluid over 1 hr (caution: this fluid load may be hazardous, especially since cerebral edema is already usually problematic) for 14–21 days (some relapses have been reported after only 10 days of treatment).
℞ Children >6 mos age: 500mg/m2 IV q 8 hrs×10 days. ℞ Neonatal: 10 mg/kg IV q 8 hrs for 10 days.
● optimal treatment: early administration of IV acyclovir for herpes simplex encephalitis.
Indications
It is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles. Other uses include the prevention of cytomegalovirus infections following transplant and infections due to the Epstein-Barr virus. It is available by mouth and intravenously.
Side effects
Common side effects include nausea and diarrhea. Potentially serious side effects include kidney problems and low platelets. Greater care is recommended for those with poor liver or kidney function.
It is generally considered safe for use in pregnancy with no harm having been observed.
It is safe during breastfeeding.
There is a case report of Multifocal varicella-zoster leukoencephalitis treated with IV acyclovir 1).