The symptoms of herpes are familiar to many. It has been established that the virus "lives" in the body in 90% of the population and manifests itself only in the acute stage. It is during this period that drug therapy will be required to combat the ailment. One of the most effective drugs is Acyclovir-Acre. Features of the application, release form, analogues and reviews of the drug will be discussed in detail in the article.
Description of the drug
Herpes refers to viral diseases. Symptoms of the disease occur only when the immune system is weakened, which means that only antiviral and immunostimulating drugs can cope with it. A proven and effective medication from this category is Acyclovir-Acre. The instruction positions it as a drug with a pronounced antiherpetic effect.
The active substance of the drug becomes active only when it meets an infected cell and does not affect healthy ones. That is why the drug is considered one of the safest and least toxic. The antiviral agent is produced by the domestic pharmaceutical company Akrikhin, which has vast experience in the development of medicines.
The cost of “Acyclovir-Acre” ranges from 60 to 250 rubles and depends on the form of release and concentration of the active (active) component.
Composition, release forms
Currently, you can find a huge number of medicines for the treatment of various types of herpes. All of them belong to the group of antiviral medicines.
Acyclovir, an analogue (synthetic) of purine nucleoside, is used as the active component in the composition of the drug. The component has the ability to inhibit the vital activity of a viral agent by incorporating it into its DNA. When it enters the body, the active substance is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, and then penetrates into all structures, including the central nervous system, where the herpes virus “lives”.
Depending on the form of release, the concentration of the active substance will also depend. So, in tablets "Acyclovir-Acre" may contain 200 or 400 mg of the same active ingredient. In 1 g of ointment is 50 mg of acyclovir.
When is it prescribed?
Herpes is commonly called rashes on the lips, but in fact there are 8 types of this disease that differ in symptoms and treatment principles. Colds on the lips belong to the first type of herpes infection. Is it possible to use Acyclovir-Acre in this case? In the indications for the purpose described in the instructions, it is said that this medication will be effective both for prevention and for the treatment of the first type of herpes simplex virus.
In genital herpes (second type), it is also usually recommended to use an antiviral agent based on acyclovir. The treatment regimen should be prescribed only by a specialist. Both pills and Acyclovir-Acre ointment will help speed up recovery.
The drug is used to eliminate the symptoms of shingles (chicken pox). The disease refers to the third type of herpes virus. In this case, the product for external use should be applied only to the elements of the rash. The use of antiherpetic medicine is necessary as part of complex therapy.
According to the instructions, the drug is prescribed for severe immunodeficiency after bone marrow transplantation as part of a complex drug exposure.
Contraindications
Without prior consultation with a doctor, the instruction does not recommend the use of “Acyclovir-Acre”. It is contraindicated to use the tool in the following cases:
- with intolerance to acyclovir;
- with an allergy in a patient to auxiliary components of the drug;
- with severe kidney pathologies;
- with dehydration (with caution);
- during pregnancy and lactation.
For children, the drug based on acyclovir can be prescribed only from two years.
Tablet dosage
The recommended single dose of Acyclovir-Acry tablets for children from two years old and adults with the first and second type of HSV (herpes simplex virus) is 200 mg. Multiplicity of use - 5 times a day. Such therapy should be continued for 5 days. In some cases (on the recommendation of a doctor), treatment is extended. As a prevention of relapse, 200 mg should be taken every 6 hours (4 times a day).
For the treatment of chickenpox, the drug is prescribed to take 800 mg 5 times a day. This dosage is suitable for adult patients and children weighing more than 40 kg. The duration of treatment recommended by the manufacturer is 7-10 days. After bone marrow transplantation and with severe immunodeficiency, the drug is prescribed in a dosage of 400 mg 4-5 times a day.
How to use ointment?
The remedy for herpes for external use is applied only to the affected areas of the skin. Foci with a characteristic vesicle rash are treated with Acyclovir-Acre ointment up to five times a day.
The manufacturer recommends starting using the ointment when the first signs of herpes infection appear. Already on the second day of treatment, the drug helps to significantly reduce the severity of itching and burning.
Overdose Symptoms and Side Effects
If the dosage recommended by the manufacturer is exceeded, the following symptoms may occur:
- headache;
- abdominal pain;
- skin rash;
- nausea and vomiting;
- diarrhea;
- leukopenia;
- lymphocytopenia;
- neurological disorders (drowsiness, dizziness, decreased sensitivity in the limbs, fatigue);
- lethargy, convulsions, coma (in severe cases).
Acyclovir-Acry tablets when taken orally can provoke the development of side effects in the form of the same symptoms that occur with an overdose. Ointment can provoke the appearance of dryness of the epidermis, peeling, erythema, burning sensations. If such symptoms occur, you must temporarily stop using the drug and consult a specialist for advice.
How to replace Acyclovir-Acre?
Analogues of an antiherpetic drug are fairly easy to select. Currently, a large number of drugs are produced, the action of which is aimed at suppressing the activity of the herpes virus.
Such drugs as Valtrex, Famvir, Zovirax, Vivorax, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir, Panavir can replace Acyclovir-Acre in the treatment of herpes. These are fairly fast-acting drugs, but they should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
Reviews
In the treatment of herpes infection, acyclovir-based drugs are considered one of the most effective. The tablets and ointment “Acyclovir-Acre” produced by the domestic pharmaceutical company have repeatedly proved their therapeutic effectiveness in the fight against the herpes virus.
According to reviews, this tool promotes the speedy healing of rashes and helps eliminate itching. The drug eliminates the external symptoms of herpes and can be used to treat babies from two years old.