Class: Nucleosides and Nucleotides
VA Class: AM800
CAS Number: 59277-89-3
Brands: Zovirax
Introduction
Antiviral; purine nucleoside analog derived from guanine.
Uses for Acyclovir (Systemic)
Mucocutaneous, Ocular, and Systemic Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections
Treatment of initial and recurrent mucocutaneous HSV-1 and HSV-2 infections (e.g., orofacial, esophageal, genital, nasal, labial) in immunocompromised adults, adolescents, and children, including HIV-infected individuals. Drug of choice.
Chronic suppressive or maintenance therapy (secondary prophylaxis) of recurrent HSV infections† in immunocompromised adults, adolescents, and children, including HIV-infected individuals who have frequent or severe recurrences.
Treatment of orolabial HSV infections (including gingivostomatitis) in immunocompetent† adults and children; generally ineffective or minimally effective for prevention of recurrence of herpes labialis† in immunocompetent individuals.
Treatment of eczema herpeticum† in patients with a history of atopic dermatitis.
Treatment of HSV keratitis† in HIV-infected patients.
Prophylaxis against recurrence of ocular HSV disease† in immunocompetent adults and children ≥12 years of age who had ocular HSV disease (blepharitis, conjunctivitis, epithelial keratitis, stromal keratitis, iritis) in one or both eyes within the preceding 12 months. Has been used for prophylaxis after penetrating keratoplasty for herpetic keratitis.
Drug of choice for treatment of HSV encephalitis.
Drug of choice for treatment of neonatal HSV infections, including mucocutaneous infections, infections involving skin, eyes, and mouth, and disseminated or CNS infections.
Drug of choice for prevention of HSV recurrence
