acyclovir

noun

acy·clo·vir | \ (ˌ)ā-ˈsī-klō-ˌvir

How to pronounce acyclovir (audio)

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Definition of acyclovir

: 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

Instead, talk to your doctor about treating oral or genital herpes outbreaks with prescription antiviral medications such as acyclovir or valacyclovir, Dr. Finney says. — Krissy Brady, SELF, "What Tea Tree Oil Can and Can’t Do for Your Skin," 4 Oct. 2018 Prescription antiviral medicines, including acyclovir, famciclovir, and valacyclovir, are not cures for shingles, but these drugs can weaken the virus, reduce pain, expedite healing, and stave off complications. — Health.com, "What Is Shingles?," 1 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acyclovir.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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acyclic machine

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Last Updated

6 Apr 2019

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Time Traveler for acyclovir

The first known use of acyclovir was in 1979

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More Definitions for acyclovir

acyclovir

noun

acy·clo·vir | \ ˌā-ˈsī-klō-ˌvir

\

Medical Definition of acyclovir

: a cyclic nucleoside C₈H₁₁N₅O₃ used especially to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chicken pox — see zovirax

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