Acyclovir tablets, ointment, cream

Acyclovir is an antivirus medication and a synthetic analogue of acyclovir purine nucleoside. It is highly selective on herpes viruses. Acyclovir transforms into mono-, di-, and triphosphate acyclovir under viral thymidine kinase inside the infected cells. Acyclovir triphosphate incorporates into the virus DNA chain and blocks its synthesis by competitive inhibition of virus DNA-polymerase.

In vitro acyclovir is effective against Herpes simplex I and II and Varicella zoster. Increased dosage is required to inhibit Epstein-Barr virus.

Uses:

• Skin and mucous membrane infections induced by Herpes simplex I and II (primary and secondary, including genital herpes)
• Prophylaxis of recurrent infections induced by Herpes simplex I and II in patients with normal immune system
• Prophylaxis of primary and recurrent infections induced by Herpes simplex I and II in patients with immunodeficiency
• As a complex therapy for patients with marked immunodeficiency, such as HIV( AIDS stage, early clinical findings and unwrapped phase clinical findings) and for post marrow transplantation patients
• Treatment of primary and recurrent infections induced by Varicella zoster (chickenpox, herpes zoster)

Directions:

Take orally with plenty of water

• Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 1 tablet (200mg) 5 times a day except for the nighttime when treating skin and mucous membrane infections induced by Herpes simplex.
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 1 tablet (200mg) 4 times a day for prophylaxis of skin and mucous membrane infections in patients with immunodeficiency
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 4 tablets (800mg) 4 – 5 times a day to treat herpes zoster infection
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 2 tablets (400mg) 5 times a day during 10 days to treat rectal herpes infection
• Adults and children 2 years of age and older: take 1 tablet (200mg) 5 times a day to treat genital herpes; take 1 tablet (200mg) 2-5 times a day during 5 days for prophylaxis of recurrent genital herpes infection
• Children 2 years of age and under: take half of the adult dosage

Note: The course of treatment is usually 5 days. In case of herpes zoster the treatment expand for the next 3 days until the symptoms are gone.

Prophylactic treatment lasts 6 weeks when a transplantation of organs was made.

The medication is strictly for children of 2 years of age and over.

Side effects:

• dizziness, nausea, increased fatigability, neurological disorders, diarrhea, vomit
• increased percentage of bilirubin, urea and creatinine in blood
• transitional increase of hepatic transaminase activity
• allergic reactions, body temperature increase, swelling, lymphadenopathy