Acyclovir is a guanosine analog that selectively targets HSV and VZV-infected cells. Viral thymidine kinase converts acyclovir into its active triphosphate form, concentrating it where viral replication is occurring.
After entering infected cells, acyclovir is monophosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase and then converted by host kinases to acyclovir triphosphate. The active triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes obligate chain termination when incorporated into the viral DNA strand, halting replication of HSV and VZV.
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Half-life
Not specified
Primary Route
Not specified