Aciclovir

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Aciclovir (ACV), also known as acyclovir in the US, is an antiviral medication.[1] It is mostly used to treat herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster viruses (chickenpox or shingles). It also has some activity against cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus.[2] Aciclovir is a nucleic acid analogue made from guanosine. It works by decreasing the production of the virus' DNA.[2]

Mechanism of action[edit | edit source]

Acyclovir inhibits herpes simplex virus replication, a herpesvirus.[3]

Acyclovir targets the viral DNA polymerase, inhibiting enzyme function by competitive inhibition.[4]

Aciclovir/Acyclovir as a treatment for ME/CFS[edit | edit source]

In 1988, Straus, et al, conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the efficacy of acyclovir in patients with CFS. One group was given a course of IV acyclovir followed by oral acyclovir. The other group received a placebo. Patients with and without antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus early antigens were included in the study. The researchers concluded that acyclovir, as used in this study, did not ameliorate the symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome: "Of the 24 patients who completed the trial, similar numbers improved with acyclovir therapy and with placebo (11 and 10, respectively). Neither acyclovir treatment nor clinical improvement correlated with alterations in laboratory findings, including titers of antibody to Epstein-Barr virus."[5]

Learn more[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ de Clercq, Erik; Field, Hugh J (October 5, 2005), "Antiviral prodrugs – the development of successful prodrug strategies for antiviral chemotherapy", British Journal of Pharmacology, Wiley-Blackwell (published January 2006), 147 (1), pp. 1–11, doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0706446, PMC 1615839, PMID 16284630
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Acyclovir, The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, retrieved January 1, 2015
  3. ↑ Reference needed
  4. ↑ Reference needed
  5. ↑ Straus, Stephen E.; Dale, Janet K.; Tobi, Martin; Lawley, Thomas; Preble, Olivia; Blaese, R. Michael; Hallahan, Claire; Henle, Werner (1988), "Acyclovir treatment of the chronic fatigue syndrome. Lack of efficacy in a placebo-controlled trial", New England Journal of Medicine, 319 (26): 1692-8, doi:10.1056/NEJM198812293192602

enzyme a substance produced by a living organism which acts as a catalyst to bring about a specific biochemical reaction.

double blinded trial A clinical trial is double blinded if neither the participants nor the researchers know which treatment group they are allocated to until after the results are interpreted. This reduces bias. (Learn more: www.nottingham.ac.uk)

antibodies Antibody/immunoglobulin refers to any of a large number of specific proteins produced by B cells that act against an antigen in an immune response.

antibodies Antibody/immunoglobulin refers to any of a large number of specific proteins produced by B cells that act against an antigen in an immune response.

antibodies Antibody/immunoglobulin refers to any of a large number of specific proteins produced by B cells that act against an antigen in an immune response.

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