Aciclovir (Zovirax)

Type of Medication: AntiViral

Indications: Treatment and prophylaxis of herpes simplex and varicella zoster

Side Effects: Rash, gastrointestinal disturbance, rise in bilirubin, hepatitis, jaundice,increase in urea and creatinine levels,acute renal failure, hypersensitivity reactions, rashes, urticaria, pruritus,dyspnoea, angioedema, anaphylaxix, photosensitivity, decrease in haematological indices with iv infusion, severe local reaction which can sometimes cause ulceration, fever, headache, dizziness, fatigue, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, tremors, somnolence, psychosis, convulsions, coma, alopecia 

Route of administration: Adult (Intravenous)

Dose:Treatment of herpes simplex:- 5 mg/kg every 8 hours for 5 days. Treatment of varicella-zoster and herpes simplex encephalitis:- 10 mg/kg every 8 hours for 10 days

Administration: Reconstitute to 25 mg/ml in water for injection or sodium chloride 0.9 % and dilute to not more than 5 mg/ml and give slowly over an hour

Route of administration: Adult (Oral)

Dose:Treatment of herpes simplex: 200mg 5 times/day for 5 days, Prevention of recurrence: 200mg qds or 400mg bd reducing to 200mg bd or tds, Varicella and herpes zoster: 800mg 5 times/day for 7 days,

Administration:

Route of administration: Adult (Topical)

Dose:5% cream

Administration: Apply to cold sore 5 times a day for 5 days. Start treatment as early as possible.

Route of administration: Paediatric (Intravenous) 

Dose:Treatment / prophylaxis of Herpes simplex: 3 months -12 yrs 250 mg/m2 tds for 10 days. Encephalitis: 3 months – 12 yrs 500 mg/m2 tds for 10 days

Administration:

Route of administration: Paediatric (Oral) 

Dose:Over 2 years- Treatment of herpes simplex: 200mg 5 times/day for 5 days, Varicella and herpes zoster: 3 months-2 yrs 200 mg qds 2-6 yrs 400 mg qds 6-12 yrs 800 mg qds

Route of administration: Paediatric (Topical) 

Dose:5% cream

Administration: Apply to cold sore 5 times a day for 5 days. Start treatment as early as possible.

Examples of some Drug Interactions

Interacting drug: Mycophenylate Mofetil

increases levels of both drugs

Interacting drug: Probenecid

reduces aciclovir excretion