Drug Groups

approved

Description

Penciclovir is a guanine analogue antiviral drug used for the treatment of various herpesvirus infections. It is a nucleoside analogue which exhibits low toxicity and good selectivity. [Wikipedia]

Indication

Used to treat recurrent cold sores on the lips and face from various herpesvirus invections.

Pharmacology

Penciclovir is the active metabolite of the oral product famciclovir. The more favorable results observed with topical penciclovir versus topical acyclovir for the treatment of herpes labialis may be due to the longer intracellular half-life of penciclovir in HSV-infected cells. The activated drug inhibits the viral DNA polymerase. This impairs the ability of the virus to replicate within the cell.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include headache, abdominal pain, increased serum lipase, nausea, dyspepsia, dizziness, and hyperbilirubinemia.

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Absorption

Measurable penciclovir concentrations were not detected in plasma or urine of healthy male volunteers (n= 12) following single or repeat application of the 1% cream at a dose of 180 mg penciclovir daily.

Half Life

2 hours

Protein Binding

Less than 20%.

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