- Acyclovir
Acyclovir
Rapid Review
- Mechanism of Action: Antiviral; inhibits DNA polymerase
- Indications: Commonly used to treat oral/genital herpes, varicella, zoster (shingles), and VZV encephalitis.
- Contraindications: allergy to class/drug
- Dosage: depends on condition; common dosage is 800mg PO 5x/day x 7 days.
- Half-life: 2.5 – 3.3 hours
- Adverse Reactions: Common side effects include N/V, headache, and rash. Serious reactions include hallucinations/psychosis
- Special Considerations: N/A
Pearls
Deep Dive
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