Acyclovir

Overview

Acyclovir is antiviral agent. Acyclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analog with an acyclic side chain. Acyclovir is clinically active aganist herpes simplex virus 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus. Acyclovir is not used for cure of herpes, but it relieves the pain and makes the infection clear faster. Acyclovir is given prophylactically to seropositive patients before bone marrow and after heart transplant to protect such individuals during post transplant immunosuppressive treatment.

Categories

• 6 Anti-infective drugs
  • 6.5 Antivirals, systemic
  • 6.5.1 Herpes and cytomegalovirus infection

• 13 Dermatological drugs (topical)
  • 13.2 Anti-infectives, topical
  • 13.2.2 Antivirals, topical

• 21 Ophthalmological preparations
  • 21.1 Anti-infectives
  • 21.1.2 Antivirals

Page headings

Primary Characterstics

Indications

Pharmacokinetics

Contraindications

Drug Interactions

Side Effects

Dosage

Acyclovir's dosage details are as follows:

Dose	Single Dose	Frequency	Route	Instructions
Adult Dosage
3 %	3 (3)	4 hourly	Ophthalmic	As Required
200 to 200 mg	200 (200)	4 hourly	PO	For heapes simplex prophylenis.
200 to 400 mg	300 (300)	4 hourly	PO	For heapes simplex prophylexis in the immunocompromised patient
400 to 400 mg	400 (400)	2 hourly	PO	For heapes simplex prophylenis.
200 mg	200 (200)	4.8 hourly	PO,IV	For 5 Days. Doses and duration vary according to indication.
Paedriatic Dosage (20kg)
10 to 20 mg/kg	15 (15)	3 hourly	IV Infusion	For months to 12 years.
0 to 20 mg/Kg	10 (10)	4 hourly	PO	For herpes simplex for vericella for 5 days.
0 to 200 mg	100 (100)	4 hourly	PO	For Children under 2 years for vericella
100 to 100 mg	100 (100)	4.8 hourly	PO	For children under 2 years of age.
5 %	5 (5)	4.8 hourly	Topical	As Required
Neonatal Dosage (3kg)
0 to 20 mg/Kg	10 (10)	3 hourly		For herpes simplex for 14 days and 21 days if CNS involvement. (For neonate and infant the age of upto 3 months)
12.5 mg/kg	12 (12.5)	8 hourly	Infusion	Over 1 hr.

High Risk Groups

Warning / Precautions

This medication should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation. Topical preparation (e.g cream) is not recommended for application to mucous membranes, particular care should be taken to avoid accidental introduction into the eyes.

Storage Conditions

Interference in Pathology

Brands / Trade Names of Acyclovir

Manufacturers of Acyclovir in Pakistan

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