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Acyclovir

Drug Information

Intro from Oral

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

Intro from Topical

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug applied to the skin to treat the first outbreaks of genital herpes as well as herpes infections in people with poor immune systems. Topical application of acyclovir speeds up the healing process and the duration of pain.

Common brand names:

Zovirax

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, & Foods

What Are Nutrient Interactions
Types of interactions: Beneficial Adverse Check

Replenish Depleted Nutrients

  • none

Reduce Side Effects

  • none

Support Medicine

  • Citrus Root Bark

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

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Flavonoids

    The flavonoids quercetin, quercitrin, and apigenin enhanced the antiviral activity of acyclovir in test tube studies.2 Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking quercetin or other flavonoid supplements would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Geum japonicum

    Animal studies have shown that other herbs, including Geum japonicum, Rhus javanica, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.3 Controlled human studies are needed to determine whether taking these herbs would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Rhus javanica

    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.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Syzygium aromaticum

    Animal studies have shown that other herbs, including Geum japonicum, Rhus javanica, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.5 Controlled human studies are needed to determine whether taking these herbs would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Terminalia chebula

    Animal studies have shown that other herbs, including Geum japonicum, Rhus javanica, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.6 Controlled human studies are needed to determine whether taking these herbs would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.
  • Tripterygium wilfordii

    Test tube studies show that triptofordin C-2 increases the antiviral activity of acyclovir against the herpes virus.7 Controlled human research is needed to determine whether taking tripterygium would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

    The interaction is supported by preliminary, weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Reduces Effectiveness

  • none

Potential Negative Interaction

  • none

Explanation Required 

  • none

The Drug-Nutrient Interactions table may not include every possible interaction. Taking medicines with meals, on an empty stomach, or with alcohol may influence their effects. For details, refer to the manufacturers’ package information as these are not covered in this table. If you take medications, always discuss the potential risks and benefits of adding a new supplement with your doctor or pharmacist.

References

1. 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.

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

3. 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.

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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

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