Acyclovir

Abstract

In recent years there have been great advances made in antiviral therapy. One of the most promising of the new agents to be introduced is acyclovir. This antiviral, which selectively inhibits the replication of particular DNA viruses, is being used clinically in the treatment and prevention of viral infections caused by several of the herpes viruses. Though not a cure, acyclovir can be effective for the management of symptoms associated with these infections. Since acyclovir acts only on replicating viral DNA, the drug has no effect on the latent virus which establishes itself in neural tissue. This makes eradication of the virus very difficult.