In the article, we consider the instructions for use for children and adults for the drug "Acyclovir".
Skin lesions are very unpleasant diseases, and the point is not even in soreness, but in the aesthetic discomfort that they deliver to a person. The complexity of the situation is that many have to live a lifetime with such an unpleasant ailment. Hide it from prying eyes is very problematic, especially during exacerbations. But those who are looking for will certainly find a way out of a difficult situation. One of the ways to solve many dermatological problems, which are also provoked by the herpes virus, is the drug Acyclovir.
According to the instructions for use, "Acyclovir" refers to a group of antiviral medications. Its main purpose is to suppress the pathogenic activity of the herpes virus during a period of weakened immunity and against the background of a decrease in the body's protective functions. The use of this medication at an early stage of HIV infection has been shown. With external use of the ointment, it is possible to quickly treat the problem area, and in addition, eliminate pathogenic microscopic organisms. The use of “Acyclovir” refers to a preventive drug stroke for an ailment:
- Viruses do not have time to spread to healthy cells.
- The risk of relapse is leveled.
The peculiarity of the drug is that it is not absorbed by the mucous membranes, therefore it is suitable only for external treatment. Therapy of diseases involves an integrated approach. The described drug is supplemented by injections of vitamins, and in addition, synthetic glycoproteins. Patients with reduced immunity immediately after bone marrow transplantation, as well as with AIDS, are prescribed systemic therapy.
Release format and composition
Depending on the type of disease, as well as on the severity of the symptoms, different forms of release of the drug are used. Against herpes, a five percent cream is prescribed. Some cases require the simultaneous use of an external and tablet form.
In accordance with the instructions for use, "Acyclovir" in tablets is usually used for a frequently recurring herpes virus.
The main active ingredient that is part of the tablets is acyclovir. Also in the composition are additional substances. The dosage of the pills is different - 200, 400, 800 mg.
It is worth emphasizing that you can only prescribe yourself ointments and creams for this drug. They should be used when the first signs appear in the form of burning and itching on the lips. Any other form should be recommended by a specialist.
"Acyclovir-Akrikhin" assumes that per 100 grams of liniment accounts for no more than 5 grams of the active component (acyclovir). As an auxiliary ingredient that enhances the action of the main one, an emulsion wax substance acts along with medical vaseline oil, polyethylene oxide and propylene glycol.
The ointment of this medicine has a not too thick consistency. It is white and is produced in aluminum tubes. This drug is marketed in tubes of 3 and 5 grams each. Thick cardboard acts as a package, among other things, an annotation for the medication is provided.
Instructions for use "Acyclovir"
According to the recommendations presented in the annotation to this drug, its ointment composition is applied with clean hands (pre-treated with an antiseptic). Affected areas of the epidermis are neatly treated with Chlorhexidine to level the risk of infection. Acyclovir-Akrikhin ointment is applied to the affected areas with clean hands or a sterile cotton pad:
- 2 grams of the drug composition is applied to the surface of the epidermis.
- The thick consistency is evenly distributed over the treated area.
- The total frequency of treatment is five times a day with an interval of four hours, with the exception of sleep.
The duration of the treatment course is five days, but not more than ten. In the event that no crust forms on the surface of the vesicles after ten days, you need to contact a doctor for help.
What does the instruction for use with Acyclovir tablets tell us?
Taking pills
They are taken during or immediately after a meal and washed down with water. Dosage is set individually.
In the treatment of infections caused by the causative agent of chickenpox:
- Adults - 800 mg 4 times a day. Instructions for use with Acyclovir tablets for adults indicate that the course of therapy lasts from 7 to 10 days.
- Children - 20 mg / kg 4 times a day. The course of treatment is no more than five days. Therapy should be started at the earliest signs or symptoms of chickenpox.
With infectious lesions of the skin and mucous membranes that caused the 1st and 2nd type of virus:
- Adults according to the instructions for use with "Acyclovir" 200 mg are prescribed 5 times a day for five days. In a more severe case of an ailment, the course of therapy is extended by the doctor up to 10 days. The composition of complex therapy for severe immunodeficiencies involves the appointment of 5 mg per day according to the instructions for use of "Acyclovir" 400 mg. Therapy should be carried out when the first signs of infection appear.
For the prevention of relapse of infections that are caused by type 1 and type 2 herpes virus in immunodeficiency:
- In these cases, a dose of 200 mg 4 times a day is recommended. With a pronounced form of immunodeficiency or impaired absorption from the intestine, the dosage increases to 400 mg five times a day.
For the prevention of relapse of infections that are caused by type 1 and type 2 virus with normal immune status:
- 200 mg 4 times a day or 400 mg twice a day.
In the treatment of infections caused by shingles virus:
- 800 mg is prescribed 4 times a day for 5 days. For children from 3 years of age, the medication is prescribed in the same dosage as adults.
For the treatment and prevention of infections that caused types 1 and 2 of the virus:
- Children from 3 years to 6 years - according to the instructions for use with "Acyclovir" 400 mg four times a day; from 6 years - 800 mg. Therapy is continued for five days.
In old age, the clearance of acyclovir in the body decreases and, at the same time, creatinine clearance. When taking large doses of the drug inside, it is necessary to drink a sufficient amount of liquid. If there is renal failure, the dose should be reduced.
According to the instructions for use with Acyclovir tablets for adults and children, the frequency of taking the medicine is important.
Indications
The following is a list of pathologies for the diagnosis of which this agent can be prescribed by a doctor. According to the instructions for use, "Acyclovir" helps to cope with any type of herpes:
- With herpetiform rashes on the surface of the epidermis of a one-sided type, which are accompanied by a pronounced painful sensation (herpes zoster).
- With infectious skin lesions caused by the activity of herpes.
- With chickenpox and genital herpes.
You must first consult a doctor to rule out adverse reactions.
Contraindications
The peculiarity of the drug “Acyclovir” is that it is almost not absorbed through the skin, that is, the absorption by tissues is minimal. Due to this property, this pharmaceutical agent has almost no contraindications. In the role of an exception is called intolerance to patients of the active elements of the composition along with increased susceptibility to them. During pregnancy, using this tool is strictly prohibited.
As indicated by the instructions for use with "Acyclovir", with great care, and in addition, under the supervision of a doctor, the use of the medicine by the following categories of patients is allowed:
- Patients with severe dehydration of the body.
- In case of chronic kidney failure.
- Against the background of breastfeeding.
The above patients should be observed by a doctor during the entire treatment period, as well as four days after the end of therapy.
Adverse reactions
According to the instructions for use, “Acyclovir” 200 and 400 mg can provoke negative reactions of the body.
Possible side effects are increasing itching along with local burning at the treatment site. In addition, the development of allergic dermatitis is possible in combination with intense desquamation of the epithelium. Inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes or oral cavity is not ruled out if the medicine gets into the corresponding areas. All of the above reactions pass, as a rule, after six hours and do not require mandatory treatment in a medical facility.
In the instructions for use, the price of "Acyclovir" is not indicated.
Medication cost
In Moscow pharmacies, the cost varies, as a rule, in the range from forty to eighty rubles. And in the regions, the price of this medicine is often higher by twenty percent.
Consider also the instructions for use for "Acyclovir" for children.
For children
Can I give this medication to children? The medicine “Acyclovir” in tablets can be prescribed for children who are older than one year, since its effect on the body of infants has not yet been fully studied. Children older than one month are required to undergo treatment with ointment, since it directly affects the herpes virus.
The doctor may prescribe “Acyclovir” to the child in case of chickenpox. But up to a year, children rarely get chickenpox. With chickenpox, the medication is used externally or internally.
Thus, the drug in question is successfully used to treat shingles, herpes simplex and chickenpox. "Acyclovir" for children can be used as a prophylactic for the fight against herpes on the background of reduced immunity.
Precautionary measures
Despite the absence of any contraindications, specialists identify a number of precautions that deserve special attention when using this medication.
- First of all, it is necessary to completely eliminate the likelihood of contact of the Acyclovir ointment with the mucous membrane of the mouth or eyes. Otherwise, you can not avoid the appearance of severe inflammation.
- In the presence of diagnosed genital herpes, it is very important to use contraceptives in order to level the high probability of infection of the sexual partner. Specialists generally recommend for this period to abandon intimacy.
- During pregnancy, the drug in question should be strictly prohibited. The only exception is the situation in which the expected effect of treatment with this agent exceeds the risks to the fetus.
Nevertheless, women who are in a position should remember that “Acyclovir-Akrikhin” is not mainly used during pregnancy. The instructions for use confirm this.
Analogs
In those cases if the Acyclovir preparation does not help a person for any reason, it is necessary to consult a doctor with a request for the appointment of a substitute. The analogues of the pharmaceutical preparation under consideration are Arviron along with Giporamin, Valtrex, Minaker, Trivorin, Gerpferon and so on.
Next, we find out what is told in the reviews about this drug.
Drug Reviews
In the reviews, people note that the drug "Acyclovir" is an effective tool in the fight against the herpes virus. In addition, the comments confirm its effectiveness in the treatment of shingles and chickenpox in children.
As people write, the presented pharmaceutical drug often helps to cope with various infectious skin lesions and genital herpes.
As for adverse reactions, they write in the comments that, against the background of the use of Acyclovir, some patients have allergic reactions, which usually manifests itself in the form of itching.