A simple high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) assay for aciclovir and ganciclovir in serum

Aciclovir and ganciclovir are clinically important antiviral agents derived from purine nucleosides. Aciclovir is available in oral and iv formulations. The peak serum aciclovir concentration is approximately 8.8 mg/L following a 5 mg/kg iv dose. After a single 200 mg oral dose the peak serum aciclovir concentration would be in the range 0.35-1.0 mg/L. However, aciclovir has unpredictable oral bioavailability. Typically, dosages of 800 mg five times a day are required to ensure inhibitory serum concentrations against varicella-zoster virus. Although aciclovir appears to be free from serious toxicity, there have been reports of neurotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in immunocompromised patient groups (Feldman, Rodman & Gregory, 1988; Krieble et al., 1993). Ganciclovir is associated with serious toxic side effects, such as haematological toxicity.