Figure 3. Approximate peak serum blood levels of antiviral drugs and the 50% effective dose (ED ₅₀ ) in vitro concentrations required to inhibit replication of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) or the varicella-zoster virus (VZV/). Although intracellular drug triphosphate concentrations are more relevant, this schematic provides some explanation for the advantages of intravenous acyclovir (ACV), oral valacyclovir (VCV), and oral famciclovir (FCV) relative to standard high-dose (800 mg) oral acyclovir (ACV). id = per day; IV = intravenous; PO = oral; Q8h = every 8 hours.

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