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acyclovir

American  
[ey-sahy-kloh-veer, -kluh-] / eɪˈsaɪ kloʊˌvɪər, -klə- /

noun

Pharmacology.
  1. a crystalline compound, C 18 H 11 N 5 O 3 , used as an antiviral drug in the treatment of herpes infections.


Etymology

Origin of acyclovir

1980–85; perhaps acyclo(guanosine) an earlier name for the compound ( a- 6 + cyclo- + guanosine a nucleotide) + vir(us) or vir(al)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Fortunately, there are treatments available such as antiviral medications like acyclovir or famciclovir, in conjunction with corticosteroids.

From Salon • Jun. 14, 2022

Q: I am prone to cold sores/fever blisters and find that acyclovir works very well.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 10, 2021

Upon successful treatment with oral acyclovir, the biology professor “said he felt better about himself.”

From Slate • Dec. 2, 2019

In 2011, Itzhaki and her colleagues showed that the anti-herpes drug acyclovir reduces levels of amyloid beta in cell cultures that were infected with HSV-1.

From Scientific American • Mar. 13, 2019

For genital herpes, drugs such as acyclovir can reduce the number and duration of the episodes of active viral disease during which patients develop viral lesions in their skins cells.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013