Herpes infection is considered to be a rash on the lips. But in reality, everything is much more complicated, since there are 8 types of this virus in the world, each of which has certain characteristics, symptoms, and a treatment regimen. The cause of the development of herpes is a strain that is transmitted from an infected person to a healthy one.
Herpetic diseases are among the most popular ailments. According to statistics, about 70-90 percent of the world's population is infected with the herpes virus. In certain situations, signs of herpes illness cause disability, a deterioration in the quality of life, or problems in the intimate sphere.
To eliminate herpetic diseases, various antiviral drugs are used, for example, Acyclovir. How many days does it take to use the drug to completely eliminate the disease?
Causes
The immediate cause of the disease is the ingestion of the herpes virus. How is he transmitted?
- In the household sphere (common dishes with infected).
- Airborne droplets - an infection is released into the environment by coughing or sneezing.
- Sexual contact - from an infected person to a healthy person, since the source of the disease is localized in the semen and vagina, as well as in tactile contact, if the patient has rashes on the genitals.
- From mother to fetus - there is a chance of a congenital herpetic infection.
- Autoinoculation is probably self-infection, when a person combes blisters and transfers the virus on his hands to other parts of the body, for example, the genitals.
- With a blood transfusion.
Herpetic disease in adults and children is manifested by similar signs. You can recognize them by the following symptoms:
- Redness of the skin or mucous membranes.
- Severe itching, as well as burning of the skin.
- Rashes in the form of many grouped vesicles, inside of which there is a liquid.
- Fever.
- Fatigue, impotence.
Weakened immunity can provoke the occurrence of such signs.
Drug characteristics
What is Acyclovir 400 mg? This is an antiviral drug that exhibits increased activity against strains of simple and genital herpes, as well as shingles.
The drug is produced in several dosage forms: ointment, tablets, cream, eye ointment, vial with lyophilisate.
Structure
The structure of tablets and ointments "Acyclovir" includes the same active substance. Additional components of the oral drug are:
- cellulose;
- povidone;
- magnesium stearate;
- indigo carmine;
- sodium carboxymethyl starch;
- water.
The composition of the ointment includes the following excipients:
- emulsifier No. 1;
- nipazole;
- nipagin;
- water;
- lipocomp S.
The cost of the drug varies from 20 to 230 rubles. It all depends on the form of release and the manufacturer.
Indications
According to the instructions of "Acyclovir" 200 mg, tablets (and even ointment) are prescribed to people to eliminate the following pathological processes:
- Herpes of the skin, which is provoked by herpes simplex viruses of the first and second types.
- Keratitis (damage to the cornea of the eye, which is manifested, as a rule, by its clouding, as well as ulceration, pain and redness of the eye).
- Herpetic damage to the genital tract (a viral disease of the mucous membrane of the organs, which is characterized by the development of vesicles, and then erosion and sores).
- Herpetic eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes of the mouth in patients with immunodeficiency.
- Chickenpox (an infection that is transmitted by airborne droplets, usually manifests itself in childhood, is characterized by febrile conditions, as well as rashes on the skin and mucous membranes in the form of small vesicles with transparent contents).
- Viral gingivostomatitis (an infectious lesion of the oral cavity and gums that leads to swelling and ulcers).
- Pharyngotonsillitis (inflammation that covers the mucous membrane of the larynx and tonsils).
- Herpes zoster (a disease whose source is the herpes virus).
Limitations
According to the instructions for use with "Acyclovir", adult patients and children are not recommended to use the drug in the following situations, for example:
- Increased Sensitivity.
- Retirement age.
- Neurological reactions or disorders while taking cytotoxic drugs.
- Pregnancy.
- Functional disorders of the kidneys.
Can I use "Acyclovir" during pregnancy and breastfeeding
The use of tablets in the first trimester is prohibited. The active ingredients of the drug easily penetrate the placenta to the fetus. Since there is no information about the safety of Acyclovir, it is not recommended to use it for the treatment of women at this time. In the first three months, all organs and systems are laid in the future baby, and the effect of any drugs on the body can lead to the failure of this process.
The use of the drug in tablet form in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters is possible after assessing the likely risk to the fetus and benefits to the mother. The medication is used to treat expectant mothers with herpes diseases only under the strict supervision of a doctor. It is contraindicated to engage in self-medication.
During lactation, use "Acyclovir" with extreme caution. Penetrating inside, the active component of the drug passes into breast milk, and in the process of breastfeeding - into the baby’s body.
Information about the safety of this medicine and its effect on the health of infants is not described in medicine, therefore, a woman should consult a doctor before starting treatment.
Perhaps, at this time, the child will need to be temporarily transferred to milk formulas.
What is "Acyclovir" in the form of an ointment, can it be used during pregnancy?
Medical experts also do not recommend the use of ointment and cream against herpes in the first trimester of pregnancy. The use of liniment in subsequent trimesters should be agreed with the gynecologist.
It is also not recommended to use the ointment during breastfeeding, since the active component penetrates into milk and can provoke severe violations of the liver and kidneys in the child.
Prevention
A set of measures to prevent the development or renewal of signs of a viral disease is called prevention. Reception "Acyclovir" is effective after an organ transplant operation.
Or if there is a risk factor that can cause the disease. The dosage and preventive treatment regimen must be checked with a medical professional.
For the immune system
The defeat of body cells by various viruses occurs during the weakening of immunity. To maintain its tone, it is necessary to strengthen the protective system by any means. The principle of the drug is to eliminate the effects of suppressed immunity.
The active substance "Acyclovir" does not affect healthy cells, so it will not work to strengthen the immune system in this way. However, the elimination of pathogenic formations helps restore the functionality of the body and resume the production of new cells.
What negative reactions does the drug cause?
According to the instructions of "Acyclovir" 400 mg and 200 mg, it is known that tablets are generally well tolerated by patients in compliance with the dose prescribed by the doctor. In rare situations, with a significant excess of the daily norm of the drug in a person, the appearance of certain negative reactions is likely:
- Loss of appetite.
- Nausea.
- Pain in the abdomen.
- Hallucinations (the image that arises in the mind without an external stimulus).
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Hemolytic anemia (pathology of red blood cells, the hallmark of which is the accelerated destruction of red blood cells with the release of a large number of bilirubin).
- Migraine (a disease, the most frequent and characteristic sign of which are episodic or constant headaches).
- Dizziness.
- Cramps.
- Leukopenia (a decrease in the number of white blood cells in the blood).
- Chest pain.
- Apathy (a condition characterized by indifference, as well as a loss of interest in the environment).
- Malaise.
- Damage to the kidneys and liver.
- General weakness.
- Heart palpitations.
- Lowering blood pressure.
- Dyspnea.
- Nettle rash.
- Quincke's edema (reaction to the influence of various biological and chemical factors, in most situations having an allergic etiology).
- Anaphylactic shock (acute allergic process that develops in the body in response to repeated contact with the allergen).
- Muscle pain.
- Paresthesia (a disorder of sensitivity, which is characterized by spontaneously arising sensations of burning, tingling, crawling ants).
Tablets
They are used for infectious diseases that are provoked by the herpes simplex virus, and are also prescribed for people with impaired protective functions of the body as a preventive measure. "Acyclovir" 200 tablets are also prescribed for patients with herpes zoster. The dosage should be determined by the doctor.
Can Acyclovir 200 be given to children? Babies from 2 years old and adult patients with herpes simplex are recommended to take a tablet 5 times a day, as with shingles. For the prevention of diseases, you should take 1 tablet four times a day.
Young patients under two years of age are prescribed half the dosage, which is intended for adults. "Acyclovir" is not allowed for newborns.
The duration of therapy is 5 days, with herpes zoster, the drug should be used for another 3 days after the symptoms are eliminated.
What is Acyclovir Injection
Injections are administered intravenously only to adult patients and children from 12 years old at a concentration of 5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight three times a day. The time interval between doses is 8 hours. With herpes zoster with impaired protective functions of the body, the concentration of the active substance for intravenous administration is 10 mg per kilogram of patient weight.
For intravenous use, dilute the ampoule of the drug in a solution of sodium chloride. According to the annotation, the medication can be administered in the form of injections very slowly or used as part of a dropper.
Eye ointment and cream
The drug is prescribed for the inflammatory process in the cornea, which is provoked by the herpes simplex virus. According to the instructions for use, the ointment "Acyclovir" should be placed in the conjunctival sac 5 times a day every 4 hours. The duration of therapy is from 7 to 10 days.
Ointment should be used for another three days after the symptoms of the disease have been eliminated.
The cream is applied to areas of the skin and mucous membranes that are affected by the herpes simplex virus.
According to the instructions for use, the ointment "Acyclovir" for the treatment of rash is applied to the surface several times a day, the duration of therapy varies from 5 to 10 days, depending on the severity of the disease.
When using a medicine for herpes with antimicrobials of the tetracycline group, as well as macrolides and cephalosporins, the risk of undesirable reactions from the urinary system increases. This is important to consider and with extreme caution, use the drug along with antibiotics.
Alcohol and Acyclovir
Instructions for use do not contain direct indications of the impossibility of the simultaneous use of the drug and strong drinks. But you must understand that the manifestations of herpes are a direct indication of a decrease in the protective functions of the body. And alcohol reduces immunity and impairs the functioning of the whole organism.
In addition, obtaining any chemical from the outside is an increased burden on the liver and kidneys. Therefore, it is not recommended to mix alcohol and medicines.
Generics
"Acyclovir" has certain analogues:
- "Virolex".
- Gervirax.
- Herperx.
- Zovirax.
- "Provirsan".
- "Supraviran."
- "Cyclovir."
- "Tsitovir."
Before replacing the original medicine, you should consult a specialist for advice.
How to store medicine
The medication should be stored away from children at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees, avoiding exposure to sunlight. The shelf life of the tablets is twenty-four months.
Ointment can be purchased at a pharmacy without a prescription. Unopened packaging should be stored in a cool place for two years. The opened tube should be kept in the refrigerator away from children. You can apply for one year.
The shelf life of the eye ointment is sixty months. After opening, the drug can be stored for one month. Keep the eye ointment in a dark place inaccessible to children at a temperature of no more than 25 degrees.
Reviews
Many people are interested in what is Acyclovir. The network has many reviews about the drug, including all dosage forms (tablets, cream, ointment). As a rule, the feedback about them is positive.
Reviews of the drug in tablet form with their timely appointment tell about fast and productive treatment of herpetic infections in both adult patients and children. The drug has the effect of chickenpox and shingles.
Reviews of ointments and creams are also positive and characterize Acyclovir as an excellent tool for eliminating the external manifestations of herpes on the lips and other parts of the body.
It is impossible to completely eliminate the herpes virus, which is latent in the body of almost every person. Sooner or later, this disease, unfortunately, will again remind of itself and again will require the implementation of a course of therapy, which may include injections, tablets, ointments.
Almost all patients note a good tolerability of the drug, a decrease in the intensity of symptoms. In addition, relapses characteristic of herpes appear less frequently with constant prophylaxis. An additional advantage of the drug is its low price, especially compared to some foreign substitutes.