This document presents information about the antiviral drug acyclovir. It discusses that acyclovir is a DNA polymerase inhibitor used primarily to treat herpes simplex virus infections. The document outlines acyclovir's mechanism of action, involving phosphorylation within infected cells to inhibit viral DNA synthesis. It also provides details on acyclovir's absorption, metabolism, indications for use including genital herpes and herpes encephalitis, adverse effects which are usually mild, and brands available in Pakistan. Resistance and drug interactions are also briefly discussed.

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2. TOPIC; ACYCLOVIR
 PRESENTED BY;
 MR. HAMMAD HASSNAIN
 Class no; 39 (M)- 3RD PROFF
 PRESENTED TO;
 MR. ZAHID RASUL NIAZI
Faculty of Pharmacy,
 Gomal university, Dera ismail khan.
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3. ANTIVIRAL DRUGS
 There are four main classes of antiviral drugs;
 1- DNA polymerase inhibitors;
 Acyclovir
 2- Reverse transcriptase inhibitors;
 Abacavir.
 3- Protease inhibitors;
 Ritonavir.
 4- Fusion inhibitors;
 Enfuvirtide. 3

4. ACYCLOVIR
 INTRODUCTION;
 Prototypic anti-herpetic therapeutic agent.
 Highly efficacious antiviral drug for herpes virus
infections.
 drug of choice for HSV encephalitis.
 Most commonly used in genital herpes infections.
 Used as post transplant immunosuppressive
treatments.
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5. CHEMISTRY;
 CATEGORY; anti-viral agent.
 CLASS; imidazolpyrimidines.
 Subclass; Guanine & its derivatives.

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6. PHARMACOKINETICS;
 ABSORPTION;
 Administered orally, intravenous or topically.
 Distributes well throughout the body including CSF.
 METABOLISM;
 Partially metabolized to an inactive product.
 BIOAVAILIBILITY;
 Valacyclivir has greater oral bio-availability than acyclovir.
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7. SOLUBILITY;
 Poorly water solubility and has poor oral
bioavailability i.e about 15-30%.
HALF LIFE;
 2.5 to 3.3 hours.
EXCRETION;
 Excretion occurs in urine by glomerular filtration and
tubular secretion.
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8. MECHANISM OF ACTION;
 Acyclovir is a pro drug, it needs phosphorylation for
its activation.
 Acyclovir is converted into acyclovir monophosphate
by viral thymadine kinase.
 Which is then coverted into acyclovir triphosphate by
host cell kinase, and comparatively inhibits HSV
specified DNA Polymerases.
 Thus in this way it prevent further viral DNA synthesis
without affecting other normal cellular functions.
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10. SPECTRUM;
Herpes
simplex
virus
(type-1)
Herpes
simplex
virus
(type-2)
Vericella
zoster
virus
(VZV)
Epstain
barr virus.
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11. INDICATIONS;
Genital herpes simplex (HSV-2)
• 15mg/kg/day…. For 7-days.
Muco-Cutaneous herpes simplex
(HSV-2)
• 10mg/kg (t.i.d)… for 10 days.
Herpes simplex encephalitis
(type-1)
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12. • 3DAYS eye ointment (5 times a day) OR orally.
Herpes simplex keratinitis. (HSV-1)
• 5-10mg/kg (t.i.d.) for 7-days.
Vericella zoster infection.
• 15mg/kg/day … for 7-days.
Chicken pox.
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13. ADVERSE EFFECTS;
 Although acyclovir is potent, but there are some dose related
slight adversities, as follows;
 TOPICAL ADMINSTRTION; local irritation, stinging, burning
sensation.
 I/V ADMINISTRATION; hypotension, sweating, rashes, vomiting,
dose dependent decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
 CNS; Fatigue, reversible neurological reactions, headache.
 GIT; nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
 LIVER; increase in hepatic enzymes.
 BLOOD; slight hyper-uricemia, thrombocytopenia.
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14. RESISTANCE;
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15. DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS;
Promelicin increases the half life
of acyclovir.
Cidofovir is not recommended with
acyclovir because it may damage
kidney.
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16. BRANDS IN PAKISTAN;
 ZOVIRAX (Glaxosmithklin)
 CLOVIR (Giltz pharma)
 SUPRAVIRAN (Searle Pakistan. ltd)
 acyclovir (Abott labs)
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17. REFRENCES;
 Lippincott’s Pharmacology (5th edition)
 www.Wikipedia.com
 Slideshare.com
 Basic concept of pharmacology. (Mr. Inayatulallah Bhatti)
 Dr. Zahid Rasul Niazi Lectures.
BUNDLE OF THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTIONS---  
 Compiled BY; Syed Baqir Naqvi.
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