Since childhood, many have known a disease like chickenpox. Most often, babies get it, but since the disease is viral, antibiotics will not help here. Usually, “Acyclovir” for chickenpox or other antiviral drugs are prescribed for treatment. The article will consider its properties and application features.
What is chicken pox?
To understand whether it is possible to smear rashes with the disease "Acyclovir", you need to figure out what kind of infection it is. The causative agent of chickenpox is the herpes virus. When it enters the body, it multiplies and contributes to an increase in temperature and the occurrence of a headache. When the virus enters the skin, papules and vesicles filled with liquid appear.
In a person who has had chickenpox, the virus remains forever in the nerve ganglia. With a decrease in immunity, the pathogen comes to life and from the blood enters the skin, where it occurs in the form of shingles. This form of infection is characterized by rashes along the intercostal spaces. Papules contain the exact same chickenpox virus. Therefore, an adult is contagious at this time, as in childhood.
For treatment, "Acyclovir" is often used for chickenpox, which refers to antiviral drugs. It affects the herpes viruses type 1 and 2, as well as the causative agent of chickenpox.
Dosage Forms
The drug is intended to reduce the amount of virus in the body. "Acyclovir" with chickenpox for adults and children is available in the following forms:
- Ointment 5%. It is used to treat chickenpox rash.
- Lyophilized powder to obtain a solution. In this form, "Acyclovir" is used for the complicated course of the disease. In the absence of contraindications, it can be used to treat adults and children from 3 months of age.
- Tablets. The course of treatment and dosage depends on the degree of development of chickenpox and individual characteristics.
Each of the dosage forms has its own specific properties in use, such as dosage, age of the patient and method of use.
The composition of the drug
In chickenpox, "Acyclovir" is most often prescribed for adult patients, because their infection is severe. The drug is prescribed for children only with a complicated course of the disease.
The main active ingredient of this medication is acyclovir, which is an organic compound. It has a complex chemical formula. Excipients include: cetostearyl alcohol, paraffin, sodium lauryl sulfate, methyl paraben, microcrystalline cellulose and purified water.
The content of the active substance is as follows:
- in 1 ampoule - 250 mg;
- in 1 tablet - 200 ml;
- in 1 g of cream - 50 mg;
- in 1 g of eye ointment - 30 mg.
The drug practically does not interact with protein components that are in the blood plasma. It is excreted through the kidneys.
Operating principle
Initially, the drug was prescribed in order to fight the herpes virus, but later on with chickenpox virus, which belongs to the same group. Therefore, the effectiveness of "Acyclovir" with chickenpox is fully justified.
In addition to antiviral properties, the drug enhances immunity.
According to the instructions for use, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox is a unique tool that can be applied to various parts of the body. The only thing to consider is that a cream dosage form is not suitable for treating mucous membranes. For this, a special ointment "Acyclovir" with chickenpox should be used.
The rash, which is located in the oral cavity, causes discomfort for the patient, especially for the child. In such a situation, you can use a special cream that contains acyclovir to process them.
The use of "Acyclovir" with chickenpox is especially effective if you use a cream or ointment. The substances contained in the preparations are able to eliminate viruses and prevent infection from spreading. Also, the drug effectively relieves itching, which is especially important during an active rash.
In severe cases, "Acyclovir" is used for chickenpox in tablets or injections. Typically, the treatment of such cases is carried out in a hospital. Patients should understand that the drug is potent, therefore, it can have both positive and negative effects on the body, if the dosage is incorrectly selected.
Mode of application
For external use include cream, ointment and a tool for treating mucous membranes. In this case, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox has a local effect, but it is effective when it comes to children. The drug is not absorbed into the blood. When using it, the virus cells die, but normal effects are not negatively affected.
The advantage of such dosage forms is that there is no negative effect on the kidneys and liver.
Apply the drug only to affected areas of the skin. Up to 5 procedures are allowed per day.
"Acyclovir" must be applied in small amounts so that a significant amount of the active substance is not absorbed into the skin.
Ointment contains 5% of the active substance. This dosage is enough to get a positive effect. Such a composition is considered safe for both adults and small patients. It is best to use the ointment only in the daytime, it is not recommended to use it at night. The drug helps to get rid of itching and burning, its effect can be felt on 2-3 days of use.
The correct dosage of "Acyclovir" with chickenpox in tablets is prescribed by a specialist. The drug is taken every 4 hours for 5 days. The tablets are washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid. If after this period the patient's condition does not improve, then the question of prolonging treatment can only be decided by a doctor.
If the patient has symptoms of immunodeficiency, the drug is taken 2 tablets 5 times within 24 hours.
Analogs
The drug has a large number of foreign and domestic analogues. Such a diverse amount of funds allows you to choose the most optimal option for the treatment of chickenpox. Medicines that are produced by different manufacturers have their own characteristics and technologies. In this case, a drug with the same mechanism of action will have some differences in composition and a list of possible contraindications. Even the side effects of the drugs are completely different. This is due to the variety of auxiliary tools and release forms.
Analogues of the drug:
- "Acigerpin."
- "Acyclostad."
- "Valacyclovir."
- Zovirax.
- "Cyclovir."
The choice of analogue should only be done by a specialist. Only he can pick up a drug with the same content of active substance.
Contraindications and side effects
According to the instructions, "Acyclovir" for chickenpox is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. The drug is not used in the treatment of children under 1 year of age, if they have allergic reactions to the components.
The drug is not prescribed for patients who are diagnosed with renal failure. With caution, it is used by people with special sensitivity to the active substance.
After taking "Acyclovir", visual acuity may decrease, therefore it is forbidden to drive vehicles during the treatment period.
During the use of "Acyclovir" with chickenpox, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- From the side of the central nervous system, headache, weakness and muscle cramps are observed. Another patient may feel drowsiness, impaired concentration of attention and the occurrence of hallucinations.
- Failures in the work of the digestive tract. In this case, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea appear.
- Affects the drug and the circulatory system. In this case, the number of red blood cells and white blood cells is reduced.
- There is redness of the skin, itching and peeling.
If the patient exceeds the permissible dosage, then symptoms such as headache, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea may occur.
In the treatment of "Acyclovir" you need to carefully approach the use of other drugs.
Prevention
For preventive measures, "Acyclovir" should be used only as directed by a specialist. Self-medication can be harmful to the health of the patient. If the patient is afraid of a relapse, then he needs to consult a doctor who will prescribe him an individual dosage of "Acyclovir." Here, much attention will be paid to the severity of the infection, what is the patient’s reaction to the drug and the general period of infection.
If the prevention of the disease is necessary for a child under the age of 2 years, then he is prescribed half the dosage of an adult.
Reviews
Opinions about the drug are mostly positive. According to reviews, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox performs its functions perfectly. Despite possible complications, the drug perfectly cures the disease. Patients who used "Acyclovir" note that the drug exerts its therapeutic effect in the shortest possible time.
An important factor is the price of the drug, which against the background of similar drugs has an affordable price.
Parents of young children who have had chickenpox are satisfied with the action of Acyclovir. Thanks to him, the symptoms of the disease quickly disappeared. Basically, the drug was used in the form of ointment and cream. Their composition is identical, except for the base.
Conclusion
"Acyclovir" with chickenpox - a proven and effective tool that has low cost. It is also used for herpes zoster, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr disease. The drug is effective, but has side effects that must be considered during the period of use.