Acyclovir

Acyclovir Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

Acyclovir is the brand name of Acyclovir, a synthetic purine nucleoside with inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus(HSV-1 & HSV-2) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). The activity of Acyclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase encoded by HSV and VZV. This viral enzyme converts Acyclovir into Acyclovir monophosphate, a nucleotide analogue. The monophosphate is further converted into diphosphate and finally triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes. In vitro, Acyclovir triphosphate stops replication of herpes viral DNA. This is accomplished in 3 ways: 1) Competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, 2) Incorporation into and termination of the growing viral DNA chain and 3) Inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase.

Trade Name Acyclovir
Generic Aciclovir
Weight 500mg/vial, , 1000mg, 25mg/ml, 50mg/ml, 5%, 400mg, 200mg
Type Ointment, Injection, Buccal Mucosa, Ophthalmic, Intravenous Powder For Injection, Intravenous Solution, Cream, Tablet
Therapeutic Class Therapeutic Group: Anti Viral
Manufacturer Cipla Limited, Abbott Laboratories (pakistan) Limited, , Kimia Farma, Bufa Aneka, First Medipharma, Mylan Laboratories Limited
Available Country India, Pakistan, United States, Indonesia, Nigeria
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Acyclovir
Acyclovir

Uses

• Herpes Zoster

• Genital Herpes

• Chickenpox

• Herpes Simplex Infections

• Herpes Simplex Encephalitis

Dosage

Acyclovir dosage

The total daily dosage of Acyclovir should be based on the type or severity of infection and given in equally divided doses based on consideration of degree of susceptibility of the pathogens, renal function and body-weight.

 

Acyclovir Tablet

• Acute Herpes Zoster:

800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.

• Genital Herpes:

Initial Genital Herpes: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days.

 

Chronic suppressive therapy for recurrent disease: 400 mg 2 times daily for up to 12 months.

Intermittent therapy: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 5 days.

• Chickenpox:

Children (2 years of age and older): 20 mg/kg/dose 4 times daily (80 mg/kg/day) for 5 days.

Adults and Children (>40 kg): 800 mg 4 times daily for 5 days.

 

Acyclovir IV

The required dose of Acyclovir IV should be administered by slow intravenous infusion over a one-hour period.

• Herpes Simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) Infections:

Adults and Adolescents (≥12 years): 5 mg/kg, 8 hourly for 7 days.

Pediatrics (<12 years): 10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 7 days.

• Severe Initial Herpes Genitalis:

Adults and Adolescents (≥12 years): 5 mg/kg 8 hourly for 5 days.

• Herpes Simplex Encephalitis:

Adults and Adolescents (≥12 years): 10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 10 days.

Pediatrics (3 months to 12 years of age): 20 mg/kg 8 hourly for 10 days.

• Neonatal Herpes Simplex (Birth to 3 months):

10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 10 days.

• Varicella Zoster:

Adults and Adolescents (≥12 years): 10 mg/kg 8 hourly for 7 days.

Pediatrics (<12 years): 20 mg/kg 8 hourly for 7 days.

 

Dose adjustment of Tablet for patients with acute or chronic renal impairment, based on Creatinine Clearance, Cr Cl (mL/min/1.73 m2):

For Cr Cl= > 25 : 800 mg 4 hourly 5 times daily

For Cr Cl = 10 to 25 : 200 mg 4 hourly 5 times daily or 400 mg 12 hourly or 800 mg 8 hourly

For Cr Cl = 0 to 10 : 200 mg 12 hourly or 400 mg 12 hourly or 800 mg 12 hourly

Dose adjustment of IV for patients with acute or chronic renal impairment, based on Creatinine Clearance, Cr Cl (mL/min/1.73 m2):

For Cr Cl = > 50 : 100% of recommended dose, 8 hourly

For Cr Cl = 25 to 50 : 100% of recommended dose, 12 hourly

For Cr Cl = 10 to 25 : 100% of recommended dose, 24 hourly

For Cr Cl = 0 to 10 : 50% of recommended dose, 24 hourly

Caution: Rapid or bolus intravenous injection must be avoided. Intramuscular or subcutaneous injection must be avoided.

Reconstitution procedure of IV infusion

Vial containing 250 mg Acyclovir will be reconstituted with 50 ml infusion solution and vial containing 500 mg Acyclovir will be reconstituted with 100 ml infusion solution. Besides, Vial containing 1 gm Acyclovir will be reconstituted with 250 ml infusion solution. 10 ml of the infusion solution will be added to the vial containing 250 mg, 500 mg and 1 gm Acyclovir. Shake well and transfer the required amount of solution to the infusion container. The final concentration of Acyclovir will be not more than 5 mg/ml.

The reconstituted solution should be used within 12 hours. Refrigeration of reconstituted solution may result in the formation of a precipitate which will re-dissolve at room temperature.

Compatible infusion fluids

Sodium Chloride Intravenous Infusion BP (0.45% and 0.9% w/v)

Sodium Chloride (0.18% w/v) and Glucose (4% w/v) Intravenous Infusion BP

Sodium Chloride (0.45% w/v) and Glucose (2.5% w/v) Intravenous Infusion BP

Hartmann\\\'s Solution

Side Effects

Rash, gastro-intestinal disturbances, rises in bilirubin and liver-related enzymes, increase in blood urea and creatinine, decreases in hematological indices, headache, neurological reactions, fatigue.

Precaution

Acyclovir should be administered with caution in patient with renal impairment and doses should be adjusted according to creatinine clearance.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy category B & caution should be exercised when it is administered to a lactating mother.

Interaction with other Medicine

Probenecid reduces Acyclovir excretion and so increases plasma concentration and risk of toxicity.

Storage Condition

Keep in a cool & dry place away from light. Keep drugs out of the reach of children.

Innovators Monograph

You find simplified version here Acyclovir

FAQ

What is Acyclovir used for?

Acyclovir is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, chickenpox, and shingles. Other uses include prevention of cytomegalovirus infections following transplant and severe complications of Epstein–Barr virus infection.

How safe is Acyclovir?

It is concluded that long-term suppression with Acyclovir is safe and effective for patients with recurrent genital herpes.

How does Acyclovir work?

Acyclovir works by preventing viruses from multiplying, and this reduces the severity of the infection and stops it from spreading.

What are the common side effect of Acyclovir?

Common side effects of Acyclovir include:

  • headaches.
  • feeling dizzy.
  • feeling or being sick (nausea or vomiting)
  • diarrhea.
  • skin being sensitive to sunlight.

Is Acyclovir safe during pregnancy?

Use of Acyclovir in the first trimester does not increase birth defects, and it should be the antiviral drug of choice in early pregnancy.

Is Acyclovir safe during breastfeeding?

Acyclovir does accumulate in breast milk but they also showed that there were no problems seen in the infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers Acyclovir to be safe during breastfeeding, according to the researchers

Can I drink alcohol with Acyclovir?

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking Acyclovir.

Can I drive after taking Acyclovir?

Some people feel dizzy when taking Acyclovir tablets or liquid. This may make it more difficult to concentrate and react. Do not drive or use any tools or machines if you're affected.

When should be taken of Acyclovir ?

Acyclovir are usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin.

How long does Acyclovir take to work?

Acyclovir begins to work within 24 to 48 hours after you start taking it. It may take four or five days for symptoms to reduce, but you should continue consuming the medication until the prescribed course is complete.

How long does Acyclovir stay in my system?

Acyclovir has a half-life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function. This means that a single dose of Acyclovir, after conversion into Acyclovir by your body, will reduce in concentration every 2.5 hours to 3.3 hours.

How long can I take Acyclovir?

Acyclovir is usually taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months.

Who should not take Acyclovir ?

You should not take acyclovir buccal tablets if you are allergic to milk proteins. Tell your doctor if you have ever had kidney disease; or. a weak immune system (caused by disease or by using certain medicine).

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Acyclovir, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, and take the remaining doses for the day at evenly spaced intervals. If it is time or almost time for your next dose, however, do not double dose. Get to the next dose and stay on schedule.

What happen If I stop taking Acyclovir?

If you stop taking the Acyclovir suddenly or don't take it at all: The symptoms of your infection may not get better or may get worse.

What happen if I take too much Acyclovir?

If you take too much you could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body. Symptoms of an overdose of this Acyclovir can include more severe side effects, such as: headache, nausea.

Is it bad to take too much Acyclovir?

Taking too much Acyclovir by accident is unlikely to harm you, unless you take too much over several days. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you're worried that you have had too much Acyclovir.

Can Acyclovir affects my kidney?

It can present in clinical practice as acute kidney injury, crystal-induced nephropathy, acute tubulointerstitial nephritis, and rarely, as tubular dysfunction.

Can Acyclovir affects liver?

Despite widespread use, there is little evidence that when given orally causes significant liver injury. Serum enzyme levels generally do not change during oral acyclovir therapy.

Can Acyclovir affect my heart?

Increased heart rate Seizures. Encephalopathy (a disorder of the brain) Decreased number of blood platelets.


*** Taking medicines without doctor's advice can cause long-term problems.
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