Acyclovir is a medication used to treat viral infections such as herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). There have been concerns regarding the potential for acyclovir to cause kidney damage.
According to Drug Patent Watch [1], acyclovir has been associated with kidney damage in rare cases. The website states that "acyclovir can cause renal toxicity, which is usually manifested by an increase in serum creatinine or blood urea nitrogen (BUN), particularly in patients with preexisting renal impairment or receiving high doses of the drug." However, the website also notes that the incidence of kidney damage associated with acyclovir is low.
A study published in the BMC Nephrology journal [3] evaluated the potential for acyclovir to cause kidney damage in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The study found that acyclovir was safe for use in patients with CKD and did not cause any significant changes in kidney function. However, the study did note that caution should be exercised when administering acyclovir to patients with advanced CKD or those receiving high doses of the drug.
Another study published in the National Center for Biotechnology Information [2] evaluated the potential for acyclovir to cause kidney damage in patients with normal kidney function. The study found that acyclovir did not cause any significant changes in kidney function in patients with normal kidney function.
In conclusion, while acyclovir has been associated with kidney damage in rare cases, the incidence of kidney damage associated with the drug is low. Patients with preexisting renal impairment or those receiving high doses of the drug should be monitored closely for signs of kidney damage. However, studies have shown that acyclovir is safe for use in patients with normal kidney function and those with chronic kidney disease.
Sources:
[1] https://www.drugpatentwatch.com/p/tradename/ACYCLOVIR
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5411519/
[3] https://bmcnephrol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12882-018-1121-0