Zevin Dosage/Direction for Use

Dosage for treatment of Herpes simplex in adults: 200 mg ZEVIN five times daily for 5 days but in severe initial infections may have to be extended. In severely immune compromised patients or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, the dose can be doubled to 400 mg.
Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection: For recurrent episodes this should preferably be during the prodromal period or when lesions first appear.
Dosage for suppression of Herpes simplex in adults: 200 mg ZEVIN four times daily or 400 mg ZEVIN two times daily therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months in order to observe possible changes in the natural history of the disease.
Dosage for prophylaxis of Herpes simplex in adults: 200 mg ZEVIN four times daily. In severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut the dose can be doubled to 400 mg.
The duration of prophylactic administration is determined by the duration of the period at risk.
Dosage for treatment of Varicella and Herpes zoster in adults:
800 mg ZEVIN five times daily for 7 days.
Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection: treatment yields better results if initialed as soon as possible after onset of the rash.
Dosage for treatment of Herpes simplex and prophylaxis of Herpes simplex infection in children: 2 years and over: adult dose; below 2 years: half the adult dose.
Dosage for treatment of Varicella infections in children: Over the age of six years: 800 mg ZEVIN four times daily for 5 days.
Between the age of two years and six years: 400 mg ZEVIN four times daily for 5 days.
Below the age of two years: 200 mg ZEVIN four times daily for 5 days.
Dosage in the elderly: In the elderly, total Acyclovir body clearance declines in parallel with creatinine clearance. Adequate hydration of elderly patients taking high oral doses of ZEVIN should be maintained. Special attention should be given to dosage reduction in elderly patients with impaired renal function.
Dosage in renal impairment: For the management of Herpes simplex infection: The recommended oral doses will not lead to accumulation of acyclovir.
However, for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute) an adjustment of dosage to 200 mg twice daily, at approximately 12 hours intervals in recommended.
For the treatment of Varicella and Herpes zoster infections: It is recommended to adjust the dosage to 800 mg twice daily, at approximately 12 hours intervals for patients with severe renal impairments (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute) and to 800 mg 3 times daily, at approximately 8 hours interval for patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance in the range 10 to 25 ml/minute).