Acyclovir (Zovirax) : drug card
Drug name
|
# Acyclovir.
|
Brand name
|
# Zovirax.
|
Class of drug
|
# Antiviral agent.
|
Indications
|
# Herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) infections and immune-compromised
host.
#
Genital herpes infections.
# Herpes simplex encephalitis.
# Herpes zoster infections.
#
Chickenpox
infections.
|
Mechanism of action
|
#
Nucleotide
analog; inhibits viral replication by termination of viral DNA chain and
inhibition and inactivation of viral DNA polymerase.
|
route / Dosage form
|
# Route : Oral,
IV, Topical.
#
Dosage
form : Cap 200; Tab 400, 800 mg; Inj 500 mg, 1 g; Inj 50
mg/mL; Oint 5%; Susp 40 mg/mL
|
Dose
|
# Herpes simplex
(HSV-1 and HSV-2) infections (immunocompromised host)
* Adults, children >12 years: IV 5
mg/kg (infuse at constant rate over 1 hour), q8h for 7 days.
* Children <12 years: IV 250 mg/m2
(infuse at constant rate for 1 hour), q8h.
# Genital herpes
* Adults, children >12 years: PO
200 mg q4h, five doses/day; 10 days for
initial therapy. Dose for 5 days for intermittent recurrent disease.
Administer up to 12 months for chronic disease (suppressive therapy).
* Children <12 years: IV 250 mg/m2,
t.i.d. for 10 days.
# Herpes simplex
encephalitis
* Adults, children >12 years: IV 10
mg/kg (infuse at constant rate over 1 hour), q8h for 10 days.
* Children, 6 months to 12 years: IV
500 mg/m2 (infuse at constant rate over 1 hour), q8h for 10 days.
# Herpes zoster
* Adults, children >12 years: PO 80
mg, q4h, five doses/day, 7–10 days.
* Children <12 years: PO 250–600
mg/m2, 4–5 times/day, 7–10 days.
# Chickenpox
* Adults, children >40 kg: PO 800
mg, q.i.d. 5 days.
* Children >2 years: PO 20 mg/kg
q.i.d. (maximum 800 mg), 5 days.
|
Pregnancy / Lactation
|
#
Pregnancy:
Category
C.
#
Lactation:
Appears
in breast milk.
|
Adverse reactions
|
# Common: headache, phlebitis
(IV only).
# Serious: seizures,
renal failure, anaphylaxis, encephalopathy (confusion, hallucinations), coma,
leukopenia, renal crystalline precipitant, elevated liver enzymes,
Stevens–Johnson syndrome, urticaria.
|
Important interactions
|
#
Drugs
that increase effects/toxicity of acyclovir: MAO
inhibitors, probenecid, ziduvine, CNS depressants.
# Drugs that
decrease effects/toxicity of acyclovir: β blockers,
guanethidine.
|
Contraindications / precautions
|
# Use with caution
in patients with the following conditions: kidney
disease, neurologic disease.
# Beware of renal
dysfunction especially if patient is taking other nephrotoxic drugs.
#
Women
with genital herpes should have annual Pap smears.
# Rapid bolus
administration may cause crystalline precipitation in renal tubules and renal
insufficiency.
# Patients receiving
acyclovir IV must remain well hydrated during treatment and for 24 hours
after treatment.
# Cases of
thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremia syndrome have been
reported with high-dose acyclovir in immunocompromised patients.
|
Other notes
|
#
Kidney
disease: dose should be adjusted according to creatinine clearance.
# Pediatric: Safety
has not been established in children <2 years old.
|
Practical notes
|
# Drink 2–3 L
of fluid per day. This is particularly important following IV infusion.
# Avoid sexual
intercourse when lesions are present; otherwise use condoms.
# Avoid contact
of the drug with or around the eyes.
# Resume
treatment at first indication of recurrence of infection.
#
Use a finger cot or latex glove when applying acyclovir ointment.
The ointment might cause transient burning or stinging.
|
Trade names
|
# Egypt :- Zovirax, Acyclovir, Virustat, Novirus, Lovir, Cycloviral.
# KSA :- Zovirax, Virustat, Acyclovir, Acivir, Clovir, Custiviral, Deforax,
Herpavir, Imavir, Lovrak, Medvirox, Noviral, Novirax, ,
|
- Prepared by: Dr. Mohamed Abdel Rahman (pharmacist).
- Resources: - Handbook of clinical drug data, 10th edition. - Clinician's
handbook of prescription drugs . - Physicians' Drug manual 2005 edition . - Master of Egyptian drugs. - Master of Saudi drugs.
- Copyrights: All rights are reserved for pharmacist development group 2009 - 2011.
|
Posted by Unknown
on 10/11/2010.
Filed under
drug cards,
drugs,
featured,
microbiology,
virology
.
You can subscribe to the site updates through the RSS 2.0 or by Email
