The independent use of various medications to treat children can be not only ineffective, but also quite dangerous. That is why, if you have any complaints or unpleasant symptoms, you should contact your pediatrician as soon as possible or call a doctor at home. Only the health care provider after the examination will be able to accurately diagnose and recommend the right method of treatment. In this article, we will talk about treatment with Acyclovir. You will find out in which situations this drug is really necessary for the child. It is worth paying attention to contraindications to its use. You will also find out in what doses and how to give Acyclovir to a child.
What it is?
Later, you will learn how to take Acyclovir. But first, it’s worth saying a few words about the medication itself and its properties. Indeed, not every consumer can be armed with this information.
The drug "Acyclovir" is an antiviral drug. The active substance of the drug is the component of the same name. The product is available in the form of an ointment intended for external use. Also, the medicine is in the form of tablets that are taken orally.
When should I give Acyclovir to my child?
Indications for use of the drug for children are absolutely the same as for an adult. The drug is effective in the fight against herpes infection and cytomegalovirus. Often it is prescribed for the Epstein-Barr virus. What is written in the instructions for use? The abstract indicates the following situations in which it is necessary to give the child “Acyclovir”:
- herpetic lesion of soft tissues and mucous membranes;
- genital herpes;
- lichen of various nature;
- chicken pox (in complex therapy);
- with immunodeficiency, HIV infection and after chemotherapy.
In what situations should you refrain from treatment
Acyclovir should not be given to a child if he has an increased sensitivity to the components of the medicine. At the age of three years, the medicine is prescribed only for serious indications, since there is no confirmed clinical data on its use in babies.
When using the ointment, it is strictly forbidden to apply the substance to the mucous membrane of the mouth and eyes. When these areas are affected, it is advisable to take the capsules orally.
Method of using the drug: dosage
How to take "Acyclovir" to a child? Depending on the type of pathology and the age of the baby, you need to choose an individual method of using the drug. So, with the defeat of the herpes virus of the first or second type, the medicine is prescribed to children after the age of 3 years, 200 milligrams up to five times a day. For children under the specified age, the drug is prescribed under the supervision of a doctor and usually amounts to a dose of 100 mg of “Acyclovir” with a five-time use. If there is a need to treat a baby under the age of one year, then the medicine is prescribed in accordance with the weight of the child, the calculation is made exclusively by a specialist.
In order to prevent children, the above doses of the drug are prescribed. However, the use of the drug is made 3-4 times a day. The duration of therapy usually does not exceed one week. However, all cases cannot be generalized. There are situations when long-term use of the drug "Acyclovir" is necessary.
Features of the use of the drug in children
How to give medicine to a child of the first six years of life? This question probably arose from every parent. If your baby is still unable to swallow the pill on his own, then before use, the drug must be crushed. To do this, crush the desired dose and combine it with a tablespoon of water. After that, offer the medicine to the child and give it a drink.
The use of ointment in children is possible only with caution. To do this, you must first wash your hands with soap and wear protective gloves. Next, apply the drug to the affected areas of the skin and repeat the procedure in the reverse order. It is possible to process fabrics in this way up to 6 times a day.
"Acyclovir": price and reviews on the drug
How much does the described medicine cost? This question arises with most consumers. At "Acyclovir" the price may vary depending on the place of purchase of the drug and its type. So, tablets in the amount of 20 pieces will cost the buyer from 150 to 300 rubles. It all depends on the dosage. Cream for local application costs about 50 rubles.
Often consumers ask what is better than Acyclovir. There is no way to answer this question. After all, many depend on the symptoms and age of the baby. Children of the first months of life are often prescribed Kipferon and Viferon instead of the described medication. They are more convenient to use and less likely to cause negative reactions. To find out what is best for your baby, consult your pediatrician.
About the drug "Acyclovir" reviews in most cases are positive. Many consumers say that the drug helps to quickly overcome the infection and stop the virus from multiplying in the body. However, there are negative opinions about the medicine. Some parents noticed an allergy to the drug in their babies. Usually it manifests itself when the medication is taken orally. The use of ointment rarely leads to bad consequences. But the likelihood of their occurrence is not excluded.
Summarizing
Now you know everything about this medicine. If your child requires the use of the drug "Acyclovir", then be sure to check with your doctor the individual dosage. Please note that capsules are available in 200 and 400 mg of acyclovir per tablet. When prescribing this form of medication, it is worthwhile to carefully monitor the body's reaction to the drug. If you experience unpleasant symptoms (fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and so on), consult a doctor immediately for help. Do not carry out symptomatic correction on your own. This can cause poor health. Remember that the instructions for using the described medicine do not provide for its use in children under three years of age.