Substance / Medication

Acyclovir

Overview

Active Ingredient
acyclovir
RxNorm CUI
281

Indications

Herpes Zoster Infections: Acyclovir tablets are indicated for the acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles). Genital Herpes: Acyclovir tablets are indicated for the treatment of initial episodes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Chickenpox: Acyclovir tablets are indicated for the treatment of chickenpox (varicella).

Labeler: REMEDYREPACK INC.Updated: 2026-02-19T00:00:00.000ZFull label on DailyMed

Contraindications

When this intervention should not be used

WARNINGS ADVERSE REACTIONS Acyclovir tablets are contraindicated in patients who have had a demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction [e.g., anaphylaxis, severe cutaneous adverse reactions (SCARs)] to acyclovir, valacyclovir, or any component of the formulation (seeand).

Indications & Related Conditions

Conditions associated via SNOMED clinical relationships

Administration & Protocol

Dosing, route, and treatment protocol

Detailed dosage and administration information is available in the full FDA drug label.

View full prescribing information on DailyMed

Monitoring & Follow-Up

Biomarkers relevant to this intervention via related conditions

No monitoring biomarkers have been mapped yet. Biomarker-intervention linkages are derived through related conditions and will expand as the knowledge graph grows.

Clinical Trials

38 trials linked to this intervention

38
Total Trials
3
Recruiting
12
With Results

Research Evidence

Published studies and systematic reviews

Sort:
The effect of valacyclovir on secondary prevention of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.
Chatzakis Christos, Bourgon Nicolas, Fourgeaud Jacques et al. · Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol · 2025
PMID: 41175678Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness and safety of prenatal valacyclovir for congenital cytomegalovirus infection: systematic review and meta-analysis.
D'Antonio F, Marinceu D, Prasad S et al. · Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol · 2023
PMID: 36484439Meta-Analysis
Describing the Impact of Maternal Hyperimmune Globulin and Valacyclovir on the Outcomes of Cytomegalovirus Infection in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review.
Fitzpatrick Alyssa, Cooper Celia, Vasilunas Nan et al. · Clin Infect Dis · 2022
PMID: 35438780Meta-Analysis
Neurotoxicity associated with acyclovir and valacyclovir: A systematic review of cases.
Brandariz-Nuñez David, Correas-Sanahuja Marcelo, Maya-Gallego Sara et al. · J Clin Pharm Ther · 2021
PMID: 34146428Meta-Analysis
The efficacy of oral acyclovir during early course of pityriasis rosea: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Chang Hua-Ching, Sung Chih-Wei, Lin Ming-Hsiu · J Dermatolog Treat · 2019
PMID: 30109959Meta-Analysis
Effectiveness of acyclovir prophylaxis against varicella zoster virus disease after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Wada-Shimosato Yuko, Tanoshima Reo, Hiratoko Kanako et al. · Transpl Infect Dis · 2019
PMID: 30756465Meta-Analysis
Is acyclovir effective for the treatment of varicella in children and adolescents?
González Felipe, Rojas Pamela · Medwave · 2018
PMID: 30339137Meta-Analysis
WITHDRAWN: Acyclovir for treating primary herpetic gingivostomatitis.
Nasser Mona, Fedorowicz Zbys, Khoshnevisan Mohammad H et al. · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2016
PMID: 26784280Meta-AnalysisFull text (PMC)
Valacyclovir versus acyclovir for the treatment of herpes zoster ophthalmicus in immunocompetent patients.
Schuster Alexander K, Harder Björn C, Schlichtenbrede Frank C et al. · Cochrane Database Syst Rev · 2016
PMID: 27841441Meta-AnalysisFull text (PMC)

Research data from MEDLINE/PubMed

Benefits & Expected Outcomes

Benefits, expected outcomes, efficacy data, and NNT (Number Needed to Treat) are pending physician authorship and evidence review.

Risks & Side Effects

Adverse reaction and safety data for this drug is sourced from the FDA-approved label.

View adverse reactions & drug interactions on DailyMed

Related Symptoms

Symptoms associated with conditions this intervention addresses

No related symptoms have been mapped yet. Symptom linkages are derived through associated conditions.

Alternatives & Comparisons

Alternative treatments, comparison data, and clinical decision support are pending physician authorship.

Medical Disclaimer

This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider regarding any medical condition or treatment plan.

Do not start, stop, or change any treatment without consulting your healthcare provider.

Quick Facts

Type
Substance / Medication
Fully Specified Name
Aciclovir (substance)
SNOMED CT
372729009
UMLS CUI
C0001367
RxNorm CUI
281
Labeler
REMEDYREPACK INC.

Clinical Data

This intervention maps to 8 entities in the Healos knowledge graph.

8
Conditions
0
Biomarkers
0
Specialists
0
Symptoms
38
Clinical Trials

Data is sourced from SNOMED CT, UMLS, and the Healos clinical knowledge graph. Content sections marked as pending require physician authorship. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any treatment.