Patient Information:
Acyclovir is the generic name for the antiviral prescription drug, which fights viral infections like Herpes virus, mononucleosis, shingles and chicken pox. Acyclovir acts by inhibiting the cell replication process involved by a viral illness and by providing antiviral activity in most affected cells.
In other words, once the viral infection is installed, living healthy cells are taken over by the virus and reproduced into infected cells; as a result the virus extends to larger parts of the body. Acyclovir not only prevents further cell replication, but it is also absorbed in larger percentage by ill cells, as a result prolonging its antiviral action in most infected areas.
Acyclovir is prescription-available and doctor's advice is needed. The drug does not meet any kind of food restrictions and is, generally, well tolerated by the organism. However, patients with kidney dysfunction should take lower dosage, as Acyclovir is break down by the kidney mainly.
Acyclovir is available as 200mg capsules, 400mg and 800mg tablets, oral suspension, and injection and as 5% (15gm) ointment, suitable for a large range of needs and ill particularities. Capsules and tablets, for instance, are recommended for initial or recurrent genital herpes infections. In case of initial infections, the drug acts by decreasing number of possible lesions in genital organs and by reducing pain.
Ointment may also be used topically to shorten healing time in genital area. In the treatment of chicken pox and shingles, Acyclovir has proved effectiveness in providing rapid healing and reducing the formation of new lesions and fever. It is important to remember that Acyclovir acts best when used within 24 hours after first symptoms of infection until infection is fully cured. No doses of the drug should be missed for optimum efficiency.
Directions of using Acyclovir:
Dosage for Acyclovir is generally the same depending on the type of viral infection applied to and making patients with associated medical problems requiring further investigation. Therefore, in case of initial genital herpes, Acyclovir is recommended in 200 mg doses five times a day for a 10 day span, while for recurrent genital herpes, 200-400 mg five times a day doses are prescribed for spans ranging from 5 days up to 12 months, relating it to the frequency of infection outbreak.
Chickenpox is treated in adults and children over 88lbs with 800mg for times a day for a five day span. Children under 88 lbs should be prescribed Acyclovir individually by the doctor.
Shingles is treated with 800 mg five times a day for a treatment span ranging from 7-10 day.
Injections are used to treat oral and genital herpes and inflammation of the Brain caused by Herpes Simplex Virus and shingles. In this case also, the dosage of Acyclovir is established considering bodyweight.
Contraindication to Acylovir:
In case of genital herpes, patients are recommended to avoid sexual intercourse and not to exceed indicated dosage, in order to maintain accuracy of clinical trials and overuse leading to drug's ineffectiveness. Patients suffering from dehydration and nervous system problems need doctor advice for taken Acyclovir.
Other contraindications in taking Acyclovir are met by pregnant and breastfeeding women who are recommended to ask for doctor's permission before using it, even though there haven's been reported adverse reactions yet.
Associating Acyclovir with other medical substances such as carmustine, cisplatin, pain killers, cyclosporine, deferoxamine, inflammation drugs, lithium, penicillamine, methotrexate, streptozocin, plicamycin or tiopronin may lead to increased side-effects.
Acyclovir Side Effects:
Side Effects reported by patients taking Acyclovir have been rare and mild. Most common adverse reactions to short term Acyclovir intake include swelling, headache, vomiting and nausea, while long-term Acyclovir therapy may induce a certain risk of rash and flushing.