crofelemer + acyclovir

Crofelemer + acyclovir is a combination therapy investigated for the treatment of recurrent or acyclovir-resistant Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) infections, particularly in patients with HIV/AIDS. The regimen typically involved a topical 15% gel formulation of crofelemer (formerly known as SP-303) administered alongside oral acyclovir. Crofelemer is a botanical proanthocyanidin oligomer extracted from the red sap of the *Croton lechleri* tree; while it is currently FDA-approved (as Mytesi) for the treatment of non-infectious diarrhea in HIV patients via inhibition of CFTR and CaCC chloride channels, its topical application was studied for direct antiviral activity against HSV. Acyclovir is a guanosine analogue that selectively inhibits viral DNA polymerase, thereby terminating the synthesis of the viral DNA chain. This combination was primarily developed by Shaman Pharmaceuticals but was discontinued following the company's insolvency and the subsequent refocusing of crofelemer's development on gastrointestinal indications.

Other names

SP-303 + acyclovir