Pharmacologic Substance
acyclovir
a·cy·clo·vir [ ey-sahy-kloh-veer, -kluh- ]
Brand Names:
Sitavig; Xerese; Zovirax
Effect:
Decreased DNA Replication
May Prevent:
Chickenpox; Cytomegalovirus Infections; Herpes Simplex; Herpes Zoster
May Treat:
AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections;
Chickenpox;
Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex;
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections;
Herpes Genitalis;
Herpes Labialis;
Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus
More Information:
Definitions related to acyclovir:
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9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl) guanine; acts against herpesviruses by inhibiting the viral DNA polymerase.CRISP ThesaurusNational Institutes of Health, 2006
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A GUANOSINE analog that acts as an antimetabolite. Viruses are especially susceptible. Used especially against herpes.NLM Medical Subject HeadingsU.S. National Library of Medicine, 2021
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A substance used to prevent or treat cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex infections that may occur when the body is immunosuppressed. It belongs to the family of drugs called antivirals.NCI Dictionary of Cancer TermsU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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A synthetic analog of the purine nucleoside, guanosine, with potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus and other viruses of the herpesvirus family. After conversion in vivo to the active metabolite acyclovir triphosphate by viral thymidine kinase, acyclovir competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase by incorporating into the growing viral DNA chain and terminating further polymerization.NCI ThesaurusU.S. National Cancer Institute, 2021
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Acyclovir, antiviral drug used to control the symptoms of infections involving herpes simplex virus (HSV), which causes herpes simplex, or varicella-zoster virus (VZV; a type of herpesvirus), which causes shingles and chickenpox. Acyclovir was first discovered in the mid-1970s and is effective...Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., 2020
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