Acyclovir and Valacyclovir are what?

Acyclovir and Valacyclovir are what?

• A. Anti-inflammatory
• B. Antivirals used for herpes
• C. Antibiotics
• D. Antifungals

Answer: (B)

Acyclovir and Valacyclovir are antivirals that specifically target herpesviruses. They are nucleoside analogs of guanosine that become activated inside infected cells by the viral enzyme thymidine kinase, forming acyclovir triphosphate. This active form inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes chain termination, preventing herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses from replicating. Valacyclovir is a prodrug of acyclovir with much better oral bioavailability, so it provides higher systemic exposure with convenient dosing. Because activation occurs mainly in infected cells, these drugs are selectively effective against herpesviruses and are not antibiotics or antifungals, nor are they general anti-inflammatories.

Acyclovir and Valacyclovir are antivirals that specifically target herpesviruses. They are nucleoside analogs of guanosine that become activated inside infected cells by the viral enzyme thymidine kinase, forming acyclovir triphosphate. This active form inhibits viral DNA polymerase and causes chain termination, preventing herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses from replicating. Valacyclovir is a prodrug of acyclovir with much better oral bioavailability, so it provides higher systemic exposure with convenient dosing. Because activation occurs mainly in infected cells, these drugs are selectively effective against herpesviruses and are not antibiotics or antifungals, nor are they general anti-inflammatories.