"Acyclovir" is a synthetic antiviral agent, an analog of the DNA component - deoxyguanidine. It is successfully used for the treatment of herpes simplex of the first and second type, herpes zoster and chicken pox. In addition, the drug is considered an effective immunostimulating agent. Many mistakenly believe that Acyclovir is an antibiotic. In fact, the drug is not an antibiotic.
"Acyclovir", the use of which gives a good result, prevents the formation of new vesicles and their spread over the skin during cold sores, and also contributes to the faster formation of dry crusts. With shingles in the acute stage, pain is significantly weakened.
The medicine is released in the form of an intravenous solution, tablets or suspension for oral administration, cream and ointment for external use, eye ointment. The active substance is acyclovir. The instruction is attached to all forms of the drug.
With oral and intravenous administration of the drug, the active substance is absorbed by no more than 20%. Acyclovir is excreted through the kidneys in an unchanged state. With normal functioning of the kidneys, the elimination time of the drug is 3 hours, with renal diseases, the output of the active substance increases to 20 hours.
How to take "Acyclovir"? The instruction explains what form of medicine and what dosage is prescribed in a particular case.
Tablets and Acyclovir suspension are prescribed for patients with rashes of herpes simplex of both types on the skin and mucous membranes (on the face, lips, genitals). In the same form, the drug is indicated for shingles and for the prevention of exacerbation of herpes in patients with weakened immunity. For infections caused by herpes simplex, it is recommended to drink one tablet five times a day. Preventive measures are to take the drug four times a day, one tablet. With shingles, a dose is required - four tablets five times a day. Children under two years of age are prescribed a half dose of an adult, and after two years, a full adult dose. The duration of treatment for simple herpetic eruptions is five days. With herpes zoster, the medicine is drunk three more days after all the symptoms disappear.
"Acyclovir" is administered intravenously with herpes simplex to adults and children from 12 years of age. The required dosage is 5 mg per 1 kg of body weight three times a day.
With shingles and simultaneously impaired immunity, adults are given 10 mg per kilogram of body weight every eight hours, for children under 12 years of age - 5 mg per kilogram of weight.
Only freshly prepared solution is injected intravenously (per 1 ampoule of Acyclovir - 10 ml of solvent. The drug must be administered very slowly. When dripping, add another 50 milliliters of solvent to the solution.
The largest daily dose of the drug when administered intravenously for an adult can be no more than 30 mg per kilogram of weight.
In order to prevent "Acyclovir" taken within a month and a half. People of advanced age and suffering from renal impairment should reduce the dose.
When should you not take "Acyclovir"? The instruction indicates the following contraindications: pregnancy, breastfeeding, individual intolerance.
Side effects when using "Acyclovir" happen infrequently. As a rule, this is a headache, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, a feeling of tiredness, malaise, drowsiness, poor sleep, inability to concentrate.
With external use, side effects are manifested in the form of skin itching, burning, dry skin, skin rashes, peeling.
With intravenous administration, vomiting, nausea, renal failure, phlebitis, hallucinations, tremors, convulsions, drowsiness, and inflammation at the injection site are possible.
Taking the drug orally, especially in large doses, you should drink more liquid.
In the treatment of genital herpes, it is necessary to abandon sexual contact, since the use of the drug does not guarantee infection of the partner, although it reduces this possibility.
Before taking "Acyclovir", the instructions should be read carefully.