Acyclovir (Zoviclovir-400) 400 mg tablet is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, herpes zoster, herpes labialis, and acute herpetic keratitis. It is generally used as a first-line treatment of these viruses. In some products, acyclovir is indicated for patients as young as six years old.
Drug =Acyclovir
Number of Pills Per Order = 10
Strength =400 mg
Manufacturer = Healing Pharma
How To Take
This medicine may be taken with or without food. It may be taken with meals to reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
Take Acyclovir exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label.
Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Dosage of Acyclovir (Zoviclovir-400) 400 mg
Treatment of Herpes Simplex: To treat herpes simplex infections: 200 mg Acyclovir should be taken five times daily at approximately four-hourly intervals, omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for five days, but severe initial infections may have to be extended.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g., after marrow transplant) or patients with impaired absorption from the gut: The dose can be doubled to 400 mg or intravenous dosing could be considered.
Suppression of Herpes Simplex: To suppress herpes simplex infections in immune-competent patients: 200 mg Acyclovir should be taken four times a day at approximately six-hourly intervals.
Many patients may be conveniently managed on a regimen of 400 mg Acyclovir taken twice a day at approximately twelve-hourly intervals.
Dosage titration down to 200 mg Acyclovir taken three times a day at approximately eight-hourly intervals or even twice a day at approximately twelve-hourly intervals, is also proven effective.
Some patients may experience break-through infections on total daily doses of 800 mg Acyclovir.
Therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months to observe possible changes in the disease’s natural history.
Prophylaxis of Herpes Simplex: For prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients: 200 mg Acyclovir should be taken four times a day at approximately six-hourly intervals.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g., after marrow transplant) or patients with impaired absorption from the gut: The dose can be doubled to 400 mg or intravenous dosing could be considered.
Treatment of Varicella and Herpes Zoster: For the treatment of varicella and herpes zoster infections: 800 mg Acyclovir should be taken five times a day at approximately four-hourly intervals, omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for seven days.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g., after marrow transplant) or patients with impaired absorption from the gut: Consideration should be given to intravenous dosing.
Management of Severely Immunocompromised Patients: For the control of severely immunocompromised patients: 800 mg Acyclovir should be taken four times a day at approximately six-hourly intervals.
Infants and Children: For the treatment of herpes simplex infections and prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in the immune-compromised: Children aged two years old and above should be given adult dosages and infants and children below the age of two years old should be given half the adult dose.
For the treatment of varicella infections in children: 6 years old and above: 800 mg Acyclovir four times a day; 2 years old to below six years old: 400 mg Acyclovir four times a day; 2 years old and below: 200 mg Acyclovir four times a day. Dosing may be more accurately calculated as 20 mg Acyclovir/kg body weight (not to exceed 800 mg) four times daily. Treatment should continue for five days.
Elderly: The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered, and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly. Adequate hydration of elderly patients taking high oral doses of Acyclovir should be maintained.
Renal Impairment: Caution is advised when administering Acyclovir oral formulations to patients with impaired renal function. Adequate hydration should be maintained.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Acarbose Acyclovir (Zoviclovir-400) 400 mg
Signs of overdose may include the following:
- Elevations of serum creatinine
Blood urea nitrogen and subsequent renal failure
Neurological effects
- Confusion
- Hallucinations
- Agitation
- Seizures
- Coma
Seek medical help immediately.
Contraindications
People with the following medical conditions should not take Acyclovir:
- Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir
Side Effects
Acyclovir may have the following side effects:
- Blood and lymphatic system disorders
- Rarely, anemia, leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia, anaphylaxis, dyspnea
- Immune system disorders
- Psychiatric andnervous system disorders
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Confusion
- Tremor
- Ataxia
- Dysarthria
- Hallucinations
- Psychotic symptoms
- Convulsions
- Somnolence
- Encephalopathy
- Coma
- Respiratory
- Thoracic and mediastinal disorders
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Hepatobiliary disorders, rarely, reversible rises in bilirubin- and liver-related enzymes
- Very rare: hepatitis and jaundice
- Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
- Pruritus
- Rashes (including photosensitivity)
- Uncommon:urticaria, accelerated diffuse hair loss
Warnings
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking or using any of these medicines:
- Probenecid
- Cimetidine
- Mycophenolate mofetil
- Cyclosporin
- Tacrolimus
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and nonprescription medicines.
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Acyclovir.
How Does Acyclovir (Zoviclovir-400)400 mg Work?
Acyclovir is a nucleoside analog, an antiviral drug that inhibits the action of viral DNA polymerase and DNA replication of different herpes viruses.
Uses
Acyclovir is used to treat the following conditions:
- Herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes, including initial and recurrent genital herpes.
- Treatment of varicella infections (chicken-pox)
- Herpes zoster (shingles)
- Management of certain severely immunocompromised patients, namely those with advanced HIV disease (CD4+ counts <200/mm3, including patients with AIDS or severe ARC) or following bone marrow transplantation.
- Reduced mortality in patients with advanced HIV disease
- Reduced mortality in bone marrow transplant recipients
Special Precautions and Connected Warnings
Take special precautions if you have the following conditions:
- Dehydration
- Renal impairment
- Patients receiving high oral doses of acyclovir
- Elderly patients
Storage Conditions
- Store at temperatures not exceeding 30°Cand protect them from moisture and light.
- Keep Acyclovir in the container that it came in and keep the container tightly closed.
- Do not use Acyclovir if the original seal over the container opening is broken or missing.
- Do not use Acyclovir that is expired or out of date.
