Cycloren

Indications:
Cycloren is indicated in the management of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes, suppression (prevention of recurrences) of frequent and/or severe episodes of recurrent genital herpes or recurrent herpes simplex infections at other sites, in immunocompetent patients and for the prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients.

Pharmacological Class
Antiviral

Pharmacological Properties
Antimetabolite

Mechanism of Action
Aciclovir is phosphorylated after entry into herpes infected cell to the active compound aciclovir triphosphate, which acts as an inhibitor and substrate for the herpes specified DNA polymerase, preventing further viral DNA synthesis without affecting normal cellular processes.
Side effects:
A reversible rise in plasma urea and creatinine, neurological disturbance, rash, nausea and vomiting, hepatitis.

Contraindications
Aciclovir is relatively contraindicated in pregnancy as it is ananalogue of guanosine and so potentially teratogenic in the first trimester.

Drug interactions
Probenecid increases the aciclovir mean half-life and area under the plasma concentration curve. Other drugs affecting renal physiology could potentially influence the pharmacokinetics of aciclovir. However, clinical experience has not identified other drug interactions with aciclovir.