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Generic acyclovir
Acyclovir inhibits viral DNA polymerase to prevent replication of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus.
Acyclovir inhibits viral DNA polymerase to prevent replication of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Used for Herpes simplex virus infection (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Varicella-zoster virus infection (chickenpox and shingles), Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients.
At a glance
| Generic name | Generic acyclovir |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | University of Washington |
| Drug class | Nucleoside analog antiviral |
| Target | Viral DNA polymerase (HSV and VZV) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Infectious Disease / Virology |
| Phase | Phase 3 |
Mechanism of action
Acyclovir is a nucleoside analog that is phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase to its active form, which then competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes chain termination during viral DNA synthesis. This selective mechanism exploits the virus's own enzymes, making it relatively selective for infected cells. It is effective against HSV-1, HSV-2, and VZV.
Approved indications
- Herpes simplex virus infection (HSV-1 and HSV-2)
- Varicella-zoster virus infection (chickenpox and shingles)
- Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis in immunocompromised patients
Common side effects
- Headache
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Nephrotoxicity (with IV administration)
- Neurotoxicity (confusion, hallucinations, tremors)
Key clinical trials
- The Bioequivalence Study of Acyclovir 800 mg Tablet in Healthy Thai Volunteers Under Fasting Conditions (PHASE1)
- Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Innovative Valganciclovir Versus Generic Valganciclovir (NA)
- Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 (HSV-2) Suppression to Prevent HIV Transmission (PHASE3)
- Antiviral Prophylaxis in a Burn Population (PHASE2, PHASE3)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- Generic acyclovir CI brief — competitive landscape report
- Generic acyclovir updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- University of Washington portfolio CI