Aciclovir (Acyclovir) is an antiviral drug, also marketed under trade names Zovirax (Zovyrax) and Zovir. One of the most commonly-used antiviral drugs, it is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, as well as in the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles). Aciclovir is extremely selective in its effects and low in cytotoxicity. Its special chemical formula puts it apart from previous analogues: it is a kind of prodrug which is administered in an inactive (or less active) form and is metabolised into a more active species after administration. That makes Aciclovir far more effective than any other traditional drug of the kind and the side effects of the treatment are minimized.
Acilovir is indicated for the treatment of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Varicella zoster virus (VZV) infections, including