Penciclovir 1% cream
Penciclovir is a synthetic acyclic guanine derivative with antiviral activity used for the treatment of various herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections.
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Suspected adverse reactions reported for Penciclovir
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3 branded products available
Therapeutically similar medicines
Similarity is based on WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification and on a factual NHS dm+d therapeutic-grouping code prefix. Source data: NHS dm+d via TRUD (OGL v3.0), WHO ATC/DDD Index.
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SNOMED CT and dm+d codes from NHS TRUD (Technology Reference data Update Distribution), licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. BNF code shown is the factual mapping value distributed by NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) in the dm+d supplementary file under OGL v3.0; it is not affiliated with, nor licensed from, the publishers of the British National Formulary. ATC codes from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology (whocc.no).
Active and completed clinical studies from ClinicalTrials.gov
Source: ClinicalTrials.gov, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM), National Institutes of Health (NIH). Data accessed via ClinicalTrials.gov API v2. Trial information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Academic studies and reviews for this medicine's active substance
Showing all 20 studies.
Reviews & meta-analyses: 3 · 1993–2025
Showing all 20 studies, sorted by most relevant.
Kimberly Hammer, Jessica A. Dietz, Tze Shien Lo, et al.
EMJ Dermatology, 2018
Background: Herpes simplex labialis is a common skin condition caused by the herpes simplex virus. The prescription of antivirals for the treatment of herpes labialis is common. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the treatment of herpes simplex labialis with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved topical antibiotics. Methods: The literature search included searches of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus. This review included studies that examined herpes labialis lesions and treatment with topical acyclovir, penciclovir, or docosanol in at least one of the study arms. Results: Of the 1,485 papers initially identified, 20 papers representing 19 randomised controlled trials and one quasi-randomised trial met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review. Conclusion: Our systematic review of the clinical studies performed on the three topical antiherpetics, acyclovir, penciclovir, and docosanol, showed that their efficacy compared to placebo is marginal at best (shortening the duration of pain by <24 hours), although the three topical antiherpetic drugs have no serious adverse reactions and are safe to use.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
Szotowska I, Ledwoń A
2024
- Antiviral Agents
- Bird Diseases
- Birds
This review article describes the current knowledge about the use of antiviral chemotherapeutics in avian species, such as farm poultry and companion birds. Specific therapeutics are described in alphabetical order including classic antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir, abacavir, adefovir, amantadine, didanosine, entecavir, ganciclovir, interferon, lamivudine, penciclovir, famciclovir, oseltamivir, ribavirin, and zidovudine, repurposed drugs, such as ivermectin and nitazoxanide, which were originally used as antiparasitic drugs, and some others substances showing antiviral activity, such as ampligen, azo derivates, docosanol, fluoroarabinosylpyrimidine nucleosides, and novel peptides. Most of them have only been used for research purposes and are not widely used in clinical practice because of a lack of essential pharmacokinetic and safety data. Suggested future research directions are also highlighted.
Abstract licence: CC BY
R. A. Vere Hodge
Antiviral Chemistry and Chemotherapy, 1993
Dähne T, Jaki L, Gosert R, et al.
2025
- Antiviral Agents
- Herpes Simplex
- Mutation
BACKGROUND: Antiviral drug resistance in herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and 2) is a significant clinical challenge, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Drug susceptibility testing (DST) aids clinical management and can be conducted through genotypic (partial genome sequencing) or phenotypic (cell culture) methods. Both have inherent limitations: genotypic DST is limited by outdated datasets lacking information on new helicase-primase inhibitors and corresponding phenotypic data as well as sparse clinical correlations. Phenotypic DST is mainly hampered by a lack of standardization and timely results. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to compile an up-to-date and comprehensive HSV drug resistance dataset encompassing all reported drug resistance-associated mutations (DRMs), polymorphisms, and viral phenotypes. This study also aims to aggregate clinical conditions with available DST data. SOURCES: A PubMed search identified studies (January 2016-September 2024) on DRMs associated with resistance to aciclovir, penciclovir, brivudine, foscarnet, cidofovir, amenamevir, and pritelivir. Data from a previous HSV resistance dataset (pre-2016) were also included. CONTENT: In this review, we summarize novel mutations in the thymidine kinase, polymerase, and helicase-primase genes of HSV conferring resistance to antiviral drugs. Clinical information was available for 513 mutations. In 90% of these (461 cases), viral phenotype and clinical assessment were congruent. However, 10% of cases not responding to antiviral therapy showed phenotypically susceptible virus isolates. We present a framework for clinical and diagnostic management of cases with drug-resistant HSV infection. IMPLICATIONS: This dataset paves the way to harmonize reporting of DRMs for diagnostic labs and to accelerate genotypic DST interpretation through aggregated data. Ongoing large-scale data collection of genotypic, phenotypic, and clinical data is crucial for evidence-based management of HSV antiviral resistance and clinical guidelines.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Nana Tang, Quanguo He, Aiting Chen, et al.
Microchemical Journal, 2024
Waleed Abd Ali AAkool, S. Kashanian, Saba Hadidi
Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, 2024
- Serum Albumin, Human
- Acyclovir
- Antiviral Agents
N. Shahabadi, Saba Zendehcheshm, Diba Jamshidi, et al.
Journal of Taibah University for Science, 2024
This study focuses on generating single-phase maghemite (γ-Fe2O3) using Echinophora platyloba DC. (E. platyloba) extract, followed by a silica coating. Subsequently, the γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 MNPs) are functionalized with the antiviral drug penciclovir (PNV). The objective of this research is to produce a dual-function therapeutic agent that exhibits both antiviral and anticancer properties. Nanoparticles were characterized using FT-IR, VSM, XRD, TEM, SEM-EDX, DLS, zeta potential measurements, and ultraviolet–visible analysis. The γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-PNV MNPs exhibited lower toxicity towards normal fibroblast cells compared to cancerous MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, loading PNV onto γ-Fe2O3@SiO2 MNPs resulted in a significant increase in the anticancer and biological effects of PNV. To assess the therapeutic potential of γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-PNV MNPs, their interactions with nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) were investigated through absorption and fluorescence studies. The experimental findings showed that γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-PNV MNPs had a strong propensity for binding to nucleic acids both through the groove and intercalate (partial intercalation), indicating their promising candidacy as a targeted and specific chemotherapeutic agent.
Abstract licence: CC BY
Rajesh Devani, Sohil Chauhan, Kiran Dudhat
Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology, 2025
- Acyclovir
- Antiviral Agents
- Skin
Arman M, Alam S, Maruf RA, et al.
2024
- Antiviral Agents
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2
- COVID-19
Numerous prior studies have identified therapeutic targets that could effectively combat severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, including the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), and Main protease (Mpro). In parallel, antiviral compounds like abacavir, acyclovir, adefovir, amantadine, amprenavir, darunavir, didanosine, oseltamivir, penciclovir, and tenofovir are under investigation for their potential in drug repurposing to address this infection. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of modifying the functional groups of the aforementioned antivirals in silico. Using the genetic optimization for ligand docking algorithm on software Maestro (version 11.1), the modified antivirals were docked onto ACE2 receptor, RdRp, and Mpro. Using QuickProp (Maestro v11.1), PASS (prediction of activity spectra for the substances), and altogether with SwissADME, the ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity) of the modified antivirals, as well as their bioavailability and the predicted activity spectra, were determined. Discovery studio software was used to undertake post-docking analysis. Among the 10 antivirals, N(CH3)2 derivative of darunavir, N(CH3)2 derivative of amprenavir and NCH3 derivative of darunavir exhibited best binding affinities with ACE2 receptor (docking scores: -10.333, -9.527 and -9.695 kJ/mol, respectively). Moreover, NCH3 derivative of abacavir (-6.506 kJ/mol), NO2 derivative of didanosine (-6.877 kJ/mol), NCH3 derivative of darunavir (-7.618 kJ/mol) exerted promising affinity to Mpro. In conclusion, the results of the in silico screenings can serve as a useful information for future experimental works.
Abstract licence: CC BY-NC
O. Pe’er, S. M. Thomasy, E. Feuer, et al.
Research in veterinary science, 2025
- Acyclovir
- Antiviral Agents
- Tears
Sources: aggregated from Europe PMC (EMBL-EBI), OpenAlex, Crossref, PubMed and other open scholarly databases. Retracted articles are excluded. Study information is provided for research purposes and does not constitute medical advice.
Pharmacology and chemical data from DrugBank
Key facts
Drug status
Approved
Major interactions
None known
Half-life
2 hours
Mechanism
Penciclovir has in vitro activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2).
Food interactions
None known
Human targets
1 target
Data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
Absorption
1%
Half-life
2 hours
Protein binding
20%
Metabolism
Pharmacokinetic data: DrugBank · CC BY-NC 4.0
Known interactions with other medications. Always consult a healthcare professional.
Showing 50 of 327 interactions
How the body processes this drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination
Proteins and enzymes this drug interacts with in the body
PMID:9575153
Catalyzes the first enzymatic step in the salvage pathway converting thymidine into thymidine monophosphate .
PMID:22385435
Transcriptional regulation limits expression to the S phase of the cell cycle and transient expression coincides with the oscillation in the intracellular dTTP concentration (Probable). Also important for the activation of anticancer and antiviral nucleoside analog prodrugs such as 1-b-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine (AraC) and 3c-azido-3c-deoxythymidine (AZT) PMID:22385435
ATC D06BB06
ATC J05AB13
Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
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Chemical identifiers
CAS, UNII, InChI Key and database cross-references
Linked compound data from DrugBank Open Data (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Penciclovir
Additional database identifiers
Drugs Product Database (DPD)
11798
ChemSpider
4563
BindingDB
50210804
PDB
PE2
ZINC
ZINC000000001899
GenBank Gene Database
X14112
GenBank Protein Database
59530
UniProt Accession
DPOL_HHV11
GenBank Gene Database
J02224
GenBank Protein Database
330210
UniProt Accession
KITH_HHV1C
HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC)
HGNC:11830
GenAtlas
TK1
GeneCards
TK1
GenBank Gene Database
K02581
GenBank Protein Database
339709
UniProt Accession
KITH_HUMAN
DrugBank citations
If you use DrugBank data in your research, please cite the following publications:
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Structured knowledge from the free knowledge base
Linked open data from Wikidata (Q420364), a free and open knowledge base operated by the Wikimedia Foundation. Data is available under the Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication. WHO INN from the World Health Organization.