Category: pharmacological
Aliases: Zovirax
Acyclic guanosine analog. Phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase (HSV / VZV) → tri-phosphate is a competitive substrate + chain-terminator for viral DNA polymerase. Selectively activated in infected cells. Renal-cleared; nephrotoxicity at high IV doses if hydration is poor.
PO: 3h, IV: 3h