Aciclovir or acyclovir is an antiviral drug commonly used for treating herpes simplex, a viral infection. Considered a breakthrough anti viral therapy drug, aciclovir is extremely selective and is low in cytotoxicity.

It is a deoxiguanosine analogue and requires a virus specific enzyme for conversion to the active metabolite that inhibits DNA synthesis and viral replication.

Dosage
Adults:Herpes simplex: 200 mg 5 times daily at 4 hours interval for 5 days.
Herpes Zoster: 800 mg 5 times daily at 4 hours interval for 7 days.
Children Below 2 years: Herpes Simples: 100 mg 5 times daily at 4 hours interval
Above 2 years: Same as adults

Contra- Indications: Hypersensitivity, glaucoma, depression, psychiatric diseases

Side Effects
The drug has certain side effects, that can affect individuals in different ways. The following are some of the side effects, that are often associated with the drug:

• Orally causes headache and nausea
• CNS effects
• Intravenously causes sweating , fall in blood pressure

Contraindicated orally and parentally during pregnancy. May reduce lactation