NCIt synonyms : L-Valine ester with 9-((2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl)guanine; Valaciclovir; ValACV;
NCIt definition : The hydrochloride salt of the L-valyl ester of the antiviral drug acyclovir. Orally
administered, valacyclovir is rapidly converted to acyclovir which inhibits viral
DNA replication after further conversion to the nucleotide analog acyclovir triphosphate
by viral thymidine kinase, cellular guanyl cyclase, and a number of other cellular
enzymes. Acyclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase; incorporates
into and terminates the growing viral DNA chain; and inactivates viral DNA polymerase.
The greater antiviral activity of acyclovir against herpes simplex virus (HSV) compared
with varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is due to its more efficient phosphorylation by
HSV thymidine kinase.;
Alternative definition : NCI-GLOSS: A substance that is being studied in the prevention of fungal, bacterial,
and viral infections in patients undergoing donor stem cell transplantation with cells
that are infected with cytomegalovirus. It belongs to the family of drugs called antivirals.;