Aciclovir (ACV), also known as acyclovir,[1] is an antiviral medication.[2] It is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles.[3] Other uses include prevention of cytomegalovirus infections following transplant and severe complications of Epstein–Barr virus infection.[3][4] See also Aciclovir.
Aciclovir is converted by viral thymidine kinase to aciclovir monophosphate, which is then converted by host cell kinases to aciclovir triphosphate (ACV-TP, also known as aciclo-GTP).[5] ACV-TP is a very potent inhibitor of viral DNA replication (see DNA Replication, Transcription and Translation). ACV-TP competitively inhibits and inactivates the viral DNA polymerase.[6] Its monophosphate form also incorporates into the viral DNA, resulting in chain termination.[5][7][8]
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