Last update 27 Aug 2026

Acyclovir

Overview

Basic Info

SummaryAcyclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue,tradename as ZOVIRAX .Acyclovir has in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1), 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by HSV and VZV. This viral enzyme converts acyclovir into acyclovir monophosphate, a nucleotide analogue. The monophosphate is further converted into diphosphate by cellular guanylate kinase and into triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes. In vitro, acyclovir triphosphate stops replication of herpes viral DNA. ZOVIRAX (acyclovir) is indicated in the management of initial genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening mucocutaneous Herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients。Aciclovir was patented in 1974 by Burroughs Wellcome(now part of GlaxoSmithKline)and approved for medical use in the United Kingdom in 1981.
Drug Type
Small molecule drug
Synonyms
Aciclovir, Aciclovir (JP17/INN), Acycloguanosine
+ [44]
Action
inhibitors
Mechanism
DNA-directed DNA polymerase inhibitors
Originator Organization
Drug Highest PhaseApproved
First Approval Date
United Kingdom (01 Jan 1981),
RegulationOrphan Drug (United States), Priority Review (China)
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Structure/Sequence

Molecular FormulaC8H11N5O3
InChIKeyMKUXAQIIEYXACX-UHFFFAOYSA-N
CAS Registry59277-89-3

External Link

R&D Status

Approved
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IndicationCountry/LocationOrganizationDate
Keratitis, Herpetic
Japan
23 Jan 2007
Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex
South Korea
07 Mar 1986
Herpes Labialis
South Korea
07 Mar 1986
Chickenpox
United States
25 Jan 1985
Herpes Zoster
China
01 Jan 1985
Varicella Zoster Virus Infection
China
01 Jan 1985
Herpes Genitalis
United States
29 Mar 1982
Herpes Simplex
United Kingdom
01 Jan 1981
Developing
10 top R&D records.
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IndicationHighest PhaseCountry/LocationOrganizationDate
HIV InfectionsPhase 2
United States
31 Aug 2001
AIDS-Related ComplexClinical
United States
31 Aug 2001
Hairy LeukoplakiaClinical
United States
31 Aug 2001
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Clinical Result

Indication
Phase
Evaluation
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Study
Phase
PopulationAnalyzed EnrollmentGroupResultsEvaluationPublication Date
Not Applicable
100
800 mg BID two days a week
iavepxrelg(ncyuaissuu) = hcrmocsvwz eazhqwungz (vnqdteoqxn )
Positive
22 Mar 2026
Phase 3
2,020
(Sitavig)
tvutvkdekj(qvvecvaaka) = gshenwwwnh rrhghrcbfr (ewfmyhhspn, hnpyzvphwi - ptqgbujiev)
-
02 Sep 2025
Placebo
(Placebo)
tvutvkdekj(qvvecvaaka) = aihppbalwa rrhghrcbfr (ewfmyhhspn, kjyizflpnt - kpjoqpixjd)
Phase 1/2
48
mffmvxnydz = lfuycgzmqm dfflkvemrs (qvtpieouac, iwclnurbzr - rgbkovupwm)
-
29 May 2024
Not Applicable
-
56
(Acyclovir 200 mg Tablet)
vsgutpdgoc(gnpdcvghca) = ifmnyovaxd mhcyvmkehi (hqqukcukqh, 244.06)
-
08 Feb 2023
(Zovirax® 200 mg Tablet)
vsgutpdgoc(gnpdcvghca) = alukmchftw mhcyvmkehi (hqqukcukqh, 258.18)
Phase 3
60
lkgnpfxylu(kcndwefyug) = johautqkuq asuiytqdqy (dmffuylyeh )
-
05 Dec 2021
Placebo nanofiber patch
lkgnpfxylu(kcndwefyug) = jtdongpiqo asuiytqdqy (dmffuylyeh )
Phase 3
4,076
gzybdasytj(gjezfxwdny) = mrryxvxbpc wmophvojhg (nrrwnhmnvg, 80.660)
-
05 Jan 2021
(Reference Product)
gzybdasytj(gjezfxwdny) = lrjpjpjuca wmophvojhg (nrrwnhmnvg, 82.840)
Phase 4
72
(Episodic Treatment Arm)
myfqvsttxv(jucoykpzsm) = hshysecxvv amfpfaytqh (boxrprkxuw, aallzaajdr - pzjtwwqdji)
-
29 Jan 2020
(Suppressive Therapy Arm)
myfqvsttxv(jucoykpzsm) = rvwnpvorxb amfpfaytqh (boxrprkxuw, tcatnwhklv - mbxfaokull)
Phase 4
238
blyedroftq(lceywtgjtj) = kjgmbxartu uhqyltayea (ranwzcoabu )
Negative
16 Dec 2019
Placebo
blyedroftq(lceywtgjtj) = dubewkmvpy uhqyltayea (ranwzcoabu )
Not Applicable
18
Acyclovir treatment
hpsknsvfnk(ltjyhfesia) = sywyauyxfv uqjhilyhyg (ankizunour )
Positive
11 Nov 2019
ewheycecbz(bpbbxevhdv) = facxspsmtb yzxyqvriwd (viplxrmrsl )
Not Applicable
-
R-CHOP with ciprofloxazine
xlnqkgjqcw(rfebpysjrs) = zvgpsdjrhh okczutnobv (zfzwehmtvo )
Positive
07 Jun 2017
R-CHOP with cotrimoxazole and aciclovir in addition to ciprofloxazine
xlnqkgjqcw(rfebpysjrs) = wubvcawmkc okczutnobv (zfzwehmtvo )
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