All people who are periodically exposed to the herpes infection regularly try to get rid of its consequences, which sometimes can be done with great difficulty. Modern medicine has eight types of herpes infection. Each of these viruses "specializes" in its specific area of the body or organ, but most often rashes appear on the lips, wings of the nose, genitals and back. To get rid of this unpleasant and dangerous disease, medications of the antiviral group are used, among which “Acyclovir” cream is especially popular (instructions for use are in each package). In this article we will talk about what effect it has on the body, how to apply it, about the composition and preparations with similar properties.
"Acyclovir" - what is it?
This medication is an antiviral drug. It has a depressing effect on certain herpes viruses. In the body of a cell infected with herpes virus, a series of reactions take place under the influence of a drug, as a result of which acyclovir is transformed into acyclovir mono-, di- and triphosphate. Then, acyclovira triphosphate is inserted into the chain of viral DNA, which allows you to block the synthesis of the virus.
This drug is characterized by specificity and a very high selectivity of exposure, which is due to its concentration in cells attacked by the herpes virus. The drug is highly active against Herpessimplex type 1 and 2, the virus that causes chickenpox, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus. Moderate activity is noted against cytomegalovirus. With herpes, it helps to prevent the formation of new rashes, accelerates the formation of crusts, and relieves bouts of pain with shingles. When using Acyclovir cream according to the instructions for use, its components are well adsorbed by skin cells in the area of application. It practically does not enter the systemic circulation.
Indications
This medication is prescribed for the treatment of the following pathologies:
- Infections of the skin that are caused by Herpessimplex viruses of types 1 and 2 (the cause of genital and oral herpes) both primary and secondary, not excluding genital herpes.
- Shingles with characteristic rashes in various areas of the skin. After application, the rashes become less pronounced, the intensity of pain decreases.
- Chickenpox. Basically, the drug is used when the disease occurs in adults.
In addition, the medication is prescribed for the prevention of secondary infections in both patients with normal immune status and HIV-positive patients. This is confirmed by the instructions for use. "Acyclovir Hexal" (cream) consider below.
Release Forms
A drug can be in the form of: tablets, ointment for external use 5%, cream for external use 5%, eye ointment 3%, concentrate for the preparation of an injection solution. In addition to the active substance, the cream contains auxiliary components in the form of:
- Medical Vaseline Oil.
- Emulsifying type Cetostearyl alcohol A.
- Poloxamer 407.
- Propylene glycol.
- Dimethicone.
- Purified water. This is indicated by the instructions for use to the cream "Acyclovir".
Dosage
There are generally accepted dosage rates for the drug, which we will briefly discuss. The cream is applied to the affected skin area. Also, the drug is applied both in the lips and in the genital area, if there are herpetic manifestations in these parts of the body. The cream is used five times a day at intervals of four hours. The duration of treatment is usually up to five days. With shingles, the cream is applied to the affected areas of the skin two to three times a day, the course of treatment lasts seven days. After the effect of the use of the drug and the manifestations on the skin are no longer there, treatment should be continued for about three days for preventive purposes. If there is no improvement in the condition of the skin, there is no reduction in the rash, then the course of treatment, as agreed with the attending physician, should be extended to ten days. “Acyclovir Belupo” (cream) is used in the same way. The instructions for use confirm this.
The use of cream "Acyclovir"
Ointment and cream are used to treat rashes caused by the herpes virus on the skin and mucous membranes. Before using the cream, the skin should be disinfected with “Chlorhexidine”, a solution of “Furacilin” or regular medical alcohol. After this, you can proceed to the main treatment.
When treating with ointment or cream, you must remember the following rules:
- The ointment is applied in medical gloves or a special file.
- The interval between applications of the ointment should be about four hours, that is, it must be applied five to six times a day.
- The use of ointment should be continued until crusts form at the sites of the appearance of herpes rash (usually this occurs on the fifth to tenth day after the start of treatment). If there are no positive results, then you need to consult a doctor.
- You can not take a shower after applying the cream for 1.5-2 hours.
- The product is applied only to areas of the skin where there are rashes with a thin but dense layer. What else does the instruction for use indicate to Acyclovir cream?
When symptoms of chickenpox appear in children, the medication should not be used, since the disease in childhood is much easier and does not require medical intervention. Separately, it is worth mentioning the use of the ocular variety of this drug. Patients in their reviews claim that only ointment should be used.
- The ointment is used no more than five times a day for three days. Such a dosage does not constitute a danger to the patient’s organs of vision.
- The medicine is applied by laying behind the conjunctival sac.
- Wearing contact lenses is prohibited during eye treatment.
- In some eye diseases, “Acyclovir” alone is not enough, so additional funds are often used, but only as directed by the attending physician.
The use of the described cream prevents the further spread of the rash, reduces the likelihood of the appearance of the virus on the internal organs, weakens the pain in the acute period of the disease, and promotes the formation of crusts on wet areas affected by herpes. If the use of the cream does not give sufficiently stable results, then it is possible to apply a systematic treatment, that is, take Acyclovir tablets with the cream. This is confirmed by the instructions for use.
"Acyclovir Sandoz" (cream) is an analogue. Reviews confirm its effectiveness in treating the problem.
Side effects
In general, this drug is well tolerated and the appearance of adverse reactions is practically not observed, since the active substances do not enter the systemic circulation. Side effects are manifested by allergic manifestations and can be expressed in the form of skin rash, itching, urticaria and swelling. In extremely rare cases, the development of angioedema of Quincke is observed (expressed in swelling of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, localized most often in the face or genital area). In case side effects occur, the use of the drug must be discontinued. This is indicated by the instructions for use to the cream "Acyclovir". For children, a doctor should prescribe it.
Contraindications
In case of individual intolerance to the components of the drug, its use is contraindicated. If allergic reactions appear (skin rash, itching, hives), it is also not recommended to use the drug, it is necessary to replace it with another.
special instructions
According to the instructions for use, the cream "Acyclovir" 5% should begin to be used as soon as possible, with the first symptoms of infection. This medication is taken only as prescribed by the doctor, since self-treatment can lead to complications. The medicine is not able to prevent the transmission of infection during sexual intercourse, so during the treatment period you should refrain from sexual activity, even if there are no clinical manifestations of the disease. Patients should be aware that they are carriers of genital herpes during rashes, as well as in the case of an asymptomatic course of the disease. Before you start using the cream, you should read the instructions and pay attention to the following instructions:
- Cream "Acyclovir" can not be used to treat herpetic manifestations in the eyes. For this, the medicine is available specifically in the form of an eye ointment.
- In the absence of a pronounced effect from the use of the cream, you should consult a dermatologist or infectious disease specialist. Perhaps, in your case, systemic therapy is necessary and the doctor will prescribe, together with local treatment, the administration of tablets.
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the use of a cream is allowed, since the active substance is not absorbed into the systemic circulation.
In pharmacies, this drug is available on the market, without a prescription. If during treatment you have questions or doubts, you should consult a doctor. When treating cold sores in the lips, care must be taken not to infect healthy people in your environment (use of personal dishes and personal hygiene items). This is confirmed by the instructions for use. Cream "Acyclovir Acre" is very effective.
Overdose
As we already mentioned, the active substances of this drug are not absorbed into the systemic circulation, and that is why overdose cases are not observed. This is confirmed by most consumer reviews.
Terms and conditions of storage
The shelf life of the drug is two years from the time of manufacture. But from the moment the package is opened, the medicine must be used within one month. The cream is stored in a dark place, which excludes children from access to it, at a temperature of + 15-25 ° C. Cream and ointment "Acyclovir Acry" (instructions must be strictly followed) has a large number of analogues.
Analogs
There are a lot of drugs with similar effects on the pharmaceutical market: “Atsigerpin”, “Acyclovir Belupo”, “Acyclovir Hexal”, “Acyclovir Sandoz”, “Acyclovir forte”, etc. The composition of these drugs by main components and their concentration in the drug is not much different from each other. The principle of action is the same: the active substance penetrates the infected cell, changes into a substance toxic to herpes. These drugs do not kill the infection, but lower the concentration of HSV / Varicellazoster and help the immune system fight it. Indications for use in all of these medicines are the same. Therefore, if the use of any of these funds did not bring the expected results, it is necessary to consult a doctor for advice.
We reviewed the instructions for use for the cream "Acyclovir".
Price
The cost of the drug is very affordable, about 50 rubles. It may depend on the place of implementation.