Penciclovir/Related Articles

Penciclovir (PE2) or penciclovirum, is a guanosine analog, antiviral drug used to treat herpesviruses and is the active metabolite of the prodrug famciclovir. It is sold under the brand name Denavir®. The longer half-life of penciclovir triphosphate in herpes-infected cells (10-20 hrs), compared to that of acyclovir (0,7 -1 hr), may be responsible for its ehanced results. The triphosphate form competes with deoxyguanosine triphosphate for incorporation into viral DNA. It only effects DNA synthesis of only those cells infected with herpes simplex virus (HSV).