Zovirax

Acyclovir

Tab: Treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin & mucous membranes including initial & recurrent genital herpes. Prevention of recurrent herpes simplex infections in immune-competent patients. Prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients. Treatment of varicella infections (chickenpox) & herpes zoster (shingles). Management of certain severely immunocompromised patients, w/ advanced HIV disease (CD4+ counts <200/mm³, including patients w/ AIDS or severe ARC) or following bone marrow transplantation. Prophylaxis for herpes virus disease. Inj: Treatment of herpes simplex infections, prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients, treatment of varicella zoster infections, herpes simplex infections in the neonate.

Tab Adult Treatment of herpes simplex 200 mg 5 times daily at approx every 4 hr intervals (omit night time dose) for 5 days. Severely immunocompromised patient (eg, after marrow transplant) or those w/ impaired gut absorption Double the dose to 400 mg or alternatively, IV may be considered. Suppression of herpes simplex infections Immunocompetent patient 200 mg qid at approx every 6-hr intervals or 400 mg bid at approx every 12-hr intervals. May titrate dose to 200 mg tid at approx every 8-hr intervals or 200 mg bid at approx every 12-hr intervals. Periodically interrupt therapy at 6-12 mth intervals. Prophylaxis of herpes simplex in immunocompromised patient 200 mg qid at approx every 6-hr intervals. Severely immunocompromised patient (eg, after marrow transplant) or those w/ impaired gut absorption Double the dose to 400 mg qid. Treatment of varicella & herpes zoster 800 mg 5 times daily at approx every 4-hr intervals (omit nighttime dose) for 7 days. Severely immunocompromised patient Consider IV dosing. Management of severely immunocompromised patient 800 mg qid at approx every 60-hr intervals. Childn Treatment & prophylaxis of herpes simplex in immunocompromised patient ≥2 yr Adult dose; <2 yr ½ the adult dose. Treatment of varicella Childn ≥6 yr 800 mg qid, 2-6 yr 400 mg qid, <2 yr 200 mg qid or 20 mg/kg for 5 days. Max: 800 mg qid. Powd for inj Adult Herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis), varicella or herpes zoster 5 mg/kg every 8 hr. Herpes encephalitis & immunocompromised patient w/ varicella zoster 10 mg/kg every 8 hr. Prophylaxis of herpes simplex in immunocompromised patient Adult dose for herpes simplex. Infant & childn ≥3 mth Herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis) or varicella zoster 250 mg/m² BSA every 8 hr. Immunocompromised patient w/ varicella zoster infections or herpes encephalitis 500 mg/m² every 8 hr. Neonate Herpes simplex 10 mg/kg every 8 hr. Known or suspected herpes 20 mg/kg every 8 hr for 21 days for disseminated & CNS disease or 14 days for skin & mucous membranes.

May be taken with or without food: May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort.

Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

Renal impairment. Maintain adequate hydration in high-dose therapy. Pregnancy & lactation. Elderly.

Nausea, vomiting, pruritus, rashes [including hypersensitivity, photosensitivity (powd for inj)]. Tab: Headache, dizziness; diarrhea, abdominal pain; fatigue, fever. Powd for inj: Phlebitis; reversible increases in liver-related enzymes; urticaria; increased blood urea & creatinine.

Increased AUC & reduced renal clearance w/ probenecid & cimetidine. Increased in plasma AUC w/ mycophenolate mofetil. Concurrent administration w/ drugs that compete aciclovir elimination. Powd for inj: Increased plasma conc w/ drugs competing the elimination via active renal tubular secretion; increased plasma AUC w/ mycophenolate mofetil. Concomitant use w/ drugs affecting other aspects of renal physiology (eg, cyclosporin & tacrolimus).

Antivirals

J05AB01 - aciclovir ; Belongs to the class of nucleosides and nucleotides excluding reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Used in the systemic treatment of viral infections.

Rx