Aciclovir

Aciclovir (ACV), also known as acyclovir in the US, is an antiviral medication. 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. Aciclovir is a nucleic acid analogue made from guanosine. It works by decreasing the production of the viral DNA.

Mechanism of action
Acyclovir inhibits herpes simplex virus replication, a herpesvirus.

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

Aciclovir/Acyclovir as a treatment for ME/CFS
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."

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 * Wikipedia - Aciclovir