acyclovir
Cold sore treatment
Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used primarily to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox.
It works by interfering with viral DNA replication, slowing the spread of infection rather than curing it: The doctor prescribed acyclovir for her shingles outbreak.
Available in oral, topical, and intravenous forms.
Herpes simplex lesions
- genital herpesChronic viral STI
- shinglesOverlapping roof cladding
- HSV-1Herpes simplex type one
- varicella-zosterHerpes causing pox, shingles
outbreak · blisters · lesions · tingling · itching · recurrence · suppression · prophylaxis
Medical dispensing authorization
- dosageMeasured medicine amount
- tabletFlat portable computing device
- capsuleEnclosed dose container
- ointmentMedicated skin cream
cream · topical · oral · intravenous · generic · pharmacy · pharmacist · refill
Agent blocking viral spread
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
- viral replicationPathogen self-copying process
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
- selectivityTendency to choose carefully
Reduced ability to fight infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- transplantMove tissue between bodies
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
- neonatalOf earliest infancy
elderly · pregnancy · prophylaxis · efficacy · tolerability
cold sores
Herpes simplex lesions
- genital herpesChronic viral STI
- shinglesOverlapping roof cladding
- HSV-1Herpes simplex type one
varicella-zoster · outbreak · blisters · lesions · tingling · itching · recurrence · suppression · prophylaxis · episodic
prescription
Medical dispensing authorization
ointment · cream · topical · oral · intravenous · generic · pharmacy · pharmacist · refill · dispense
antiviral
Agent blocking viral spread
- DNA polymeraseEnzyme that copies chromosomes
- viral replicationPathogen self-copying process
- phosphorylationPhosphate group attachment process
immunocompromised
Reduced ability to fight infection
- HIVAIDS-causing retrovirus
- transplantMove tissue between bodies
- chemotherapyAnti-cancer drug treatment
neonatal · elderly · pregnancy · prophylaxis · efficacy · tolerability
acyclovirantibiotic
Bacteria-killing medication
penicillin · amoxicillin · antibacterial · azithromycin · ciprofloxacin