Generic name: Acyclovir
Brand name:
VIROCIL ( Shrooq pharma)
ZOVIRAX ( GlaxosmithKline)
ACYCLOVIR (Abbott Laboratories)
Chemical class: Acyclic nucleoside analog
Therapeutic class: Antiviral
Dosage form:
Inj 250 mg
Tabs 200mg
Tabs 400 mg
Indication
Herpes zoester in immunocompetent adults; initial episode
and episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes in immunocompetent adults;
suppression of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults
Dose:
By Mouth
Adults:
> Herpes zoster: 200 mg ( 400 mg in immunocompromised or it absorption impaired) 5 times daily at 4 hourly intervals for 7 days ( longer if the new lesion appears during treatment or if healing incomplete, increase dose 800 mg 5 times daily for genital herpes in the immunocompromised
> Herpes simplex treatment 200 mg -400 mg 5 times daily at 4 hourly intervals for 5 days but may need to be extended in severe initial infections.
> Prophylaxis or suppression, 200 mg 4 times daily at hourly intervals.
> Chickenpox; 800 mg 5 times a day for 7-10 mg days.
> Vorticella and Herpes Zoster; 800 mg 5 times a day for 7 days.
Children:
> Herpes zoster- not applicable
> Herpes Simplex treatment-
> Under 2 years; 100 mg 5times daily at 4 hourly intervals for 5 days. Over 2 years; same as adult, prophylaxis; Under 2 years; same as adult.
> Chickenpox ; 20 mg/kg body wt. ( max. 800 mg ) 4 times daily for 5
days.
> Varicella: Under 2 years 200 mg 4 times daily for 5 days,
2-5 years 400 mg 4 times daily for 5 days, over 6 years; 800 mg five times
daily for 7 days
By intravenous infusion
Over I hour, herpes simplex or recurrent varicella-zoster 5
mg/kg every 9 hours; doubled in primary and recurrent varicella-zoster in the
immunocompromised, and in simplex encephalitis, child up to 3 months 10 mg/kg
every 8 hours ; 3 months-12 years, 250mg/kg every 8 hours, dose double in the
immunocompromised and in simplex encephalitis.
By topical Application
Herpes Simplex ( cream or eye ointment as appropriate )
every hour ( 5 times daily ) for 5 days if healing not complete.
Note: cream should not be used on the mucus membrane
Precautions: Renal insufficiency, hepatic insufficiency,
elderly, children
Pregnancy and lactation:
Pregnancy category B; acyclovir excreted into breast milk,
safety not established but should be compatible with breast breeding
Side effects
CNS: Dizziness, headache
GI: Abdominal pain, anorexia, constipation, diarrhea, nausea,
vomiting
GU: Renal dysfunction
NEME: Anemia, Thrombocytopenia
Interaction:
Drug:
Probenecid: increased increases efficacy by decreasing
urinary excretion and increasing half-life
Zidovudine: Causes severe drowsiness and lethargy
