acyclovir
noun
acy·clo·vir
(ˌ)ā-ˈsī-klō-ˌvir 
: a cyclic synthetic nucleoside C8H11N5O3 used especially to treat the symptoms of chicken pox, shingles, and the genital form of herpes simplex
Examples of acyclovir in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Antivirals: Medications like Zovirax (acyclovir) or Famvir (famciclovir) can help manage herpes or shingles outbreaks.
—
Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
There are a variety of genital and oral herpes treatments that can help prevent outbreaks, alleviate symptoms, and lower the risk of transmission, including antiviral medication like valacyclovir and acyclovir, acyclovir cream for cold sores, lidocaine pain cream, Cover Up!
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2024
Taken daily, drugs like acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) can significantly reduce the risk of herpes transmission—but not 100%.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 3 Sep. 2023
Antiviral medications: Antiviral medicines like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can treat shingles, shorten the length and severity of the illness, and minimize a patient’s chances of developing complications, Szema said.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 25 May 2023
If caught early, there are antiviral medications, including acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir, that can shorten the length and severity of the illness.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023
Suspecting varicella-zoster, Grant had already prescribed acyclovir, an antiviral remedy.
—Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2012
The most common course of antiviral medications has been seven to 10 days of acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, although some studies have suggested that a longer 21-day course may be more effective.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 June 2022
At time, antiviral medicines that help with the herpes family, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir may be prescribed.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 June 2022
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Susan Bard, Verywell Health, 27 Sep. 2024
There are a variety of genital and oral herpes treatments that can help prevent outbreaks, alleviate symptoms, and lower the risk of transmission, including antiviral medication like valacyclovir and acyclovir, acyclovir cream for cold sores, lidocaine pain cream, Cover Up!
—Danielle Sinay, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2024
Taken daily, drugs like acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) can significantly reduce the risk of herpes transmission—but not 100%.
—Amanda Gardner, Health, 3 Sep. 2023
Antiviral medications: Antiviral medicines like acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir can treat shingles, shorten the length and severity of the illness, and minimize a patient’s chances of developing complications, Szema said.
—Alyssa Hui, Verywell Health, 25 May 2023
If caught early, there are antiviral medications, including acyclovir, valacyclovir and famciclovir, that can shorten the length and severity of the illness.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 Mar. 2023
Suspecting varicella-zoster, Grant had already prescribed acyclovir, an antiviral remedy.
—Claire Panosian Dunavan, Discover Magazine, 15 Oct. 2012
The most common course of antiviral medications has been seven to 10 days of acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir, although some studies have suggested that a longer 21-day course may be more effective.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 12 June 2022
At time, antiviral medicines that help with the herpes family, such as acyclovir or valacyclovir may be prescribed.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 11 June 2022
Cite this Entry
“Acyclovir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/acyclovir. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
acyclovir
noun
acy·clo·vir
ˌā-ˈsī-klō-ˌvir
: a cyclic nucleoside C8H11N5O3 used especially to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chicken pox see zovirax
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