Use of cimetidine to enhance systemic acyclovir concentrations in patients with ineffective suppressive therapy for recurring herpes simplex virus infections: a novel purpose for an old drug

Author(s):
Stuijt, D.G.; Cnossen, V.M.; Osman, A.F.Y.S.M.; Gelder, T. van; Arend, S.M.
Published
2025
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) may cause recurring oral or genital ulcers. We report a series of patients nonresponsive to suppressive valacyclovir therapy, explained by subtherapeutic acyclovir plasma levels. After a dose increase, or in some patients only after concomitant prescription of cimetidine, adequate levels were reached associated with significant clinical improvement.

acyclovircase seriescimetidineherpes simplexpharmacokineticsprobenecidvalacyclovir
Date issued
2025-10-09
Language
English
Publisher
WILEY
Is part of
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology (2025), Vol. 92, no. 1, p. 300-304
hdl
1887/4297982
doi
10.1111/bcp.70313