Acyclovir

Question 1

How does acyclovir work?

Answer 1

1. Viral enzymes add a phosphate group to acyclovir
2. Human enzymes add two more phosphate groups, producing acyclovir triphosphate
3. During viral DNA replication, acyclovir is added to the growing strand rather than GTP. This halts further elongation of the DNA molecule and stops viral replication

Question 2

What is Acyclovir?

Answer 2

An acyclic purine nucleoside
–blocks further synthesis of DNA
Inhibits DNA polymerase

Question 3

What are the uses of acyclovir?

Answer 3

Managing herpes simplex and zoster infections

Question 4

How can resistance to acyclovir occur?

Answer 4

Due to mutations in viral thymidine kinase