Acyclovir-d4 (Synonyms: ACV-d4)

Acyclovir-d₄ is intended for use as an internal standard for the quantification of acyclovir by GC- or LC-MS. Acyclovir is a guanosine analog that has antiviral activity in vitro against the herpes simplex viruses, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, and human herpes virus 6 (ID₅₀s = 0.1-63.1 μM).¹ It diffuses freely into cells and is selectively converted into acyclo-guanosine monophosphate by a virus-specific thymidine kinase. During DNA replication, the phosphorylated form of acyclovir is preferentially incorporated into viral DNA, resulting in premature chain termination and inhibition of further DNA polymerase activity.² Acyclovir (5 mg/kg) reduces viral titers in mice infected with the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) strain SC16.³

1.Balfour, H.H., Jr.Management of cytomegalovirus disease with antiviral drugsRev.Infect.Dis.12(Suppl. 7)S849-S860(1990) 2.Bean, B.Antiviral therapy: Current concepts and practicesClin.Microbiol.Rev.5(2)146-182(1992) 3.Ashton, R.J., Abbott, K.H., Smith, G.M., et al.Antiviral activity of famciclovir and acyclovir in mice infected intraperitoneally with herpes simplex virus type 1 SC16J. Antimicrob. Chemother.34(2)287-290(1994)