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acyclovir

acyclovir

3 8.8
A medicine that treats herpes infections but does not cure them
  • noun
  • /ˌeɪsɪˈkloʊvɪr/
  • Specialized
translation icon : aciclovir
  • There's no response to intravenous acyclovir, okay?
  • an antiviral drug
  • acyclovir drug
  • acyclovir treatment

Examples

  • Acyclovir (Zovirax) acts in several steps to inhibit vital DNA synthesis.

    Academic text (2005)
  • In the event of a vaccinated child who is in the home of a VZV-seronegative transplant recipient developing a rash, some clinicians would recommend administering acyclovir or valacyclovir to the seronegative transplant recipient for 21 days.

    Academic text (2017)
  • In such cases, acyclovir may be useful.

    Academic text (2000)
  • "Time for my acyclovir," I say.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Treatment with acyclovir should be started promptly.

    Academic text (2000)
  • During the advanced course of his disease, he had presented with shingles in a thoracic dermatome for which acyclovir was given.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The patient was started on intravenous acyclovir and tested for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

    Academic text (2006)
  • For many patients, a standard empiric treatment regimen consisting of a third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, acyclovir, and doxycycline might be appropriate.

    Academic text (2015)
  • All patients received intravenous antimicrobial drugs during the first week of hospitalization (ceftriaxone 92%, vancomycin 67%, ampicillin 42%, and acyclovir 86%).

    Academic text (2013)
  • Acyclovir is commonly prescribed to patients experiencing painful herpes outbreaks.

Synonyms

antiviral
vsacyclovir
  • Specialized
8 3.8

A medicine that stops viruses from growing or making more copies

is this targeted medicine used chiefly for herpes symptom relief
antiviral drug
vsacyclovir
  • Specialized
4 3.7

A medicine that stops viruses from growing in the body

is a specific medicine used mainly for herpes and easing symptoms
antiviral agent
vsacyclovir
  • Specialized
1 3.5

A substance like a medicine that stops a virus growing or kills it

is a particular therapeutic medicine aimed at herpes symptom relief
Zovirax
vsacyclovir
  • Specialized
1 8.3

A medicine for treating herpes infections that reduces symptoms but does not cure them

is the nonbranded drug name rather than the brand

Surface Forms

acyclovir singular
acyclovirs plural

Etymology

The word acyclovir comes from the chemistry part acyclo-, meaning 'not in a ring', and the ending -vir, which comes from 'virus'. So the name points to a medicine that fights viruses, for example the drug used to treat herpes infections.