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Acyclovir Oral

Also indexed as: Zovirax® Oral

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chickenpox.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Flavonoids
The flavonoids quercetin, quercitrin, and apigenin enhanced the antiviral activity of acyclovir in test tube studies.1 Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking quercetin or other flavonoid supplements would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Interactions with Herbs

Citrus species
The alkaloid citrusinine-1 from the root bark of citrus plants has been shown to enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.2 Further research is needed to determine whether taking citrus root bark would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Tripterygium wilfordii
Test tube studies show that triptofordin C-2 increases the antiviral activity of acyclovir against the herpes virus.3 Controlled human research is needed to determine whether taking tripterygium would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Other Herbs
Animal studies have shown that other herbs, including Geum japonicum, Rhus javanica, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.4 Controlled human studies are needed to determine whether taking these herbs would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Summary of Interactions for Acyclovir Oral

Depletion or interference None known
Adverse interaction None known
Side effect reduction/prevention None known
Supportive interaction Citrus root bark*
Flavonoids*
Geum japonicum*
Rhus javanica*
Syzygium aromaticum*
Terminalia chebula*
Tripterygium wilfordii*
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability None known

For the convenience of the reader, the information in the summary is categorized as follows: “Depletion or interference” indicates the drug may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the supplement or herb. “Adverse interaction” indicates that the supplement or herb used together with the drug may result in undesirable effects. “Side effect reduction/prevention” indicates the supplement or herb may reduce the likelihood and/or severity of a potential side effect caused by the drug. “Supportive interaction” indicates the supplement or herb may support or aid the function of the drug. “Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability” indicates that the supplement or herb may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the drug in the body. An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

References:

1. Mucsi I, Gyulai Z, Beladi I. Combined effects of flavonoids and acyclovir against herpesviruses in cell cultures. Acta Microbiol Hung 1992;39:137–47.

2. Yamamoto N, Furukawa H, Ito Y et al. Anti-herpesvirus activity of citrusinine-I, a new acridone alkaloid, and related compounds. Antiviral Res 1989;12:21–36.

3. Hayashi K, Hayashi T, Ujita K, Takaishi Y. Characterization of antiviral activity of a sesquiterpene, triptofordin C-2. J Antimicrob Chemother 1996;37:759–68.

4. Kurokawa M, Nagasaka K, Hirabayashi T et al. Efficacy of traditional herbal medicines in combination with acyclovir against herpes simplex virus type 1 infection in vitro and in vivo. Antiviral Res 1995;27:19–37.