Surely many are familiar with such an unpleasant rash as herpes. According to experts, this is a skin disease of a viral origin. It is characterized by rashes in the form of vesicles on the mucous membranes and skin.
Many believe that such a disease occurs due to a decrease in the person's immune status . But this is only one of the reasons for the development of herpes.
Fighting a viral disease should be mandatory. Otherwise, it will spread, capturing more and more large areas of the mucous membranes or skin. Moreover, herpes is a contagious disease.
Most patients are afraid to drink antiviral tablets, which help to eliminate the aforementioned ailment. They explain their behavior by the fact that such a medicine not only treats herpes, but also negatively affects other organs and systems. Experts, however, argue that, subject to the recommended dosages, herpes medications are absolutely safe.
The most popular medication used to eliminate herpetic eruptions is Acyclovir Forte (400 mg). Instructions for use, consumer reviews, the properties of the drug and its composition will be presented below.
Composition, description, release form and packaging
In what form is the preparation Acyclovir Forte (400 mg) made? Customer reviews report that this medicine is sold in pill form. They have an oblong and biconvex shape, white in color, rounded ends and are at risk on one side.
The active substance of this agent is acyclovir. The medication also includes auxiliary ingredients in the form of sodium lauryl sulfate, potato starch, lactose (milk sugar), povidone, sugar (sucrose) and magnesium stearate.
This medicine goes on sale in cell packs and packs of thick paper.
Pharmacological characteristics
What are Acyclovir Forte tablets (400 mg)? Instructions, reviews report that it is an antiviral agent. It belongs to the synthetic analogues of purine acyclic nucleoside, which has a highly selective effect (negative) on herpes viruses.
Under the influence of viral thymidine kinase, a series of sequential reactions of transformation of acyclovir into acyclovir di-, mono- and triphosphate takes place inside cells infected with the virus. The latter, integrating into the chain of viral DNA, helps to block its synthesis through competitive inhibition of DNA polymerase.
According to the instructions, this drug is very effective against herpes simplex virus (type I and II) and shingles. Also, high concentrations of the drug are necessary for the inhibition of the Epstein-Barr virus.
Kinetic properties
Where does the absorption of Acyclovir Forte (400 mg) take place? Instructions for use (tablets for herpes and other viruses should be prescribed only by an experienced doctor) states that after ingestion, this drug is absorbed from the digestive system.
The bioavailability of the drug in question is 15-30%. The medication penetrates well into the tissues and organs of the patient, including the skin and brain.
Communication with plasma proteins is 9-33%, and the concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid is approximately 50%.
This drug penetrates the placental barrier, and also accumulates in breast milk. The highest concentration of the drug in the blood is observed after 1.5-2 hours.
The metabolism of the drug is carried out in the liver. In this case, pharmacologically inactive derivatives of 9-carboxymethoxymethylguanine are formed.
The half-life of the drug in adults with normal kidney function is 3 hours. In patients with severe renal failure, this period varies within 20 hours, and with hemodialysis - 6 hours. In this case, the concentration of the active substance in the plasma is reduced to 60% of the initial value.
Approximately 84% of the drug is excreted unchanged through the kidneys and 14% in the form of a metabolite. Less than 2% of the drug is excreted from the patient through the intestines.
Indications for use
In what cases is the patient prescribed Acyclovir Forte medication (400 mg)? The instruction for children and adults prescribes the use of the drug in such situations:
- For the prevention of exacerbations of recurrent infections that are caused by herpes simplex types I and II in people with normal functioning of the immune system.
- For the treatment of infections of the skin and mucous membranes that are caused by herpes simplex types I and II (including primary and secondary, as well as genital herpes).
- As part of the combined treatment of people with severe immunodeficiency: in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation and with HIV infections.
- For the treatment of recurrent and primary infections that are caused by Varicella zoster (herpes zoster virus or chicken pox).
- For the prevention of recurrent and primary infections that are caused by herpes simplex type I and II in patients with immunodeficiency.
Contraindications
When should a patient not prescribe Acyclovir Forte (400 mg)? The instruction indicates that this tool negatively affects a person if he has an increased individual sensitivity to ganciclovir, acyclovir or any additional ingredient.
Also, this drug is contraindicated in nursing mothers. It is not prescribed for children under 3 years of age, with a lactase deficiency, galactose intolerance and glucose-galactose malabsorption.
Special attention
With particular caution, the medication in question is prescribed to elderly people and people receiving large doses against the background of dehydration, with neurological failures, impaired renal function and neurological reactions to taking cytotoxic drugs (including a history).
It should also be borne in mind that the active substance of this medication penetrates the placental barrier. Therefore, “Acyclovir Forte” should be prescribed during pregnancy with extreme caution.
The drug "Acyclovir Forte" (400 mg): instructions for use
With herpes and other viral diseases, this medication is taken only inside. Tablets are consumed during or immediately after a meal and washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid.
The dosage regimen for this medication is set individually (depending on the severity of the disease).
In the treatment of infections of the mucous membranes and skin caused by herpes simplex types I and II, for adults, the drug is prescribed 200 mg five times a day for five days. It is advisable to take the drug at 4-hour intervals during the day and at 8-hour intervals at night.
In severe diseases, the course can be extended as prescribed by the doctor for up to 10 days. As part of combination therapy for immunodeficiency, HIV infection, and also after bone marrow implantation, the drug is recommended to take 400 mg with the same multiplicity.
To prevent relapse in people with normal immunity and in case of relapse, tablets are prescribed 200 mg four times a day every six hours. The duration of this course is 6-12 months.
How should a child take Acyclovir Forte (400 mg)? The instruction for children (reviews of the medicine are presented below) recommends that the drug be given in the same dosage as adults for the prevention of diseases.
In the treatment of Varicella zoster virus, adults are prescribed 800 mg of the drug five times a day every 4 hours during the day and with an 8-hour interval at night. The duration of therapy is 7-10 days.
Children with chickenpox are recommended to take 20 mg of the drug per kg of weight four times a day for five days. The maximum single dose is 800 mg.
In the treatment of Herpes zoster, adult patients are prescribed 800 mg of the drug four times a day every six hours for five days.
Side effects
Acyclovir Forte (400 mg) is well tolerated by patients. Although in some cases it can cause the following adverse events:
- hyperbilirubinemia, transient increase (insignificant) in the activity of liver enzymes, leukopenia, a slight increase in creatinine and urea levels, erythropenia;
- nausea, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea;
- anaphylactic reactions, itching, skin rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome , urticaria, Lyell's syndrome, erythema multiforme exudative, fever;
- headache, exhaustion, weakness, tremor, confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, increased fatigue, insomnia, hallucinations, paresthesia, agitation, decreased concentration of attention;
- alopecia, peripheral edema, lymphadenopathy, visual impairment, myalgia, malaise.
Overdose cases
What are the symptoms when taking high doses of the drug Acyclovir Forte (400 mg)? The instruction states that to date, not a single case of an overdose of this drug has been recorded. Although experts believe that this phenomenon can lead to increased adverse reactions.
Drug interaction
Can I use Acyclovir Forte tablets (400 mg) in conjunction with other medicines? The instruction for use reports that the simultaneous use of this drug with probenecid increases the average half-life and reduces the clearance of the active substance of the drug in question.
When combined with nephrotoxic drugs, the risk of impaired renal function is increased.
Strengthening the effect of the drug is noted with its combination with immunostimulants.
Special recommendations for taking an antiviral agent
What you need to know before using Acyclovir Forte tablets (400 mg)? Instructions for use states that during treatment with this drug, the patient should be provided with a large amount of fluid.
Taking this medicine does not prevent sexual transmission of herpes virus. In this regard, during the period of treatment should refrain from sexual intercourse, including in the absence of clinical symptoms.
Analogues of the drug
What can replace the Acyclovir Forte tablets (400 mg)? Instructions for use do not provide an answer to this question. To find out, you should contact an experienced specialist.
According to doctors, such preparations as Zovirax, Valaciclovir, Virolex, Acyclovir Akos, Acyclovir Belupo and others help with herpetic eruptions.
Reviews
Now you know what properties are inherent in the drug Acyclovir Forte (400 mg). Instructions for using this medication have also been described in this article.
Consumer reviews say that the tool in question quickly and effectively eliminates all manifestations of a viral disease. However, experts say that tablets should be taken at the first sign of illness to prevent the disease. In this case, herpes may not appear.