Virustatic agent(base analog) that is used locally and systemically against herpes simplex and herpes zoster viruses.
Aciclovir
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Half-lifeThis section has been translated automatically.
2–3 h
Pharmacodynamics (Effect)This section has been translated automatically.
Only in virus-infected cells is transformed into the triphosphate by means of the viral thymidine kinase, which selectively inhibits the DNA polymerase of the viruses, therefore good tolerability. Aciclovir-resistant herpes viruses lack thymidine kinase!
IndicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Local: Herpes simplex infection, systemic, p.o. or i.v. Eccema herpeticatum or herpes zoster.
Limited indicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Pregnancy, lactation, children and adolescents < 16 years, renal insufficiency.
Dosage and method of useThis section has been translated automatically.
- Internal therapy:
- Adults
:Zoster, Eccema herpeticatum: 5 times/day 800 mg p.o. or 3 times/day 5 mg/kg bw i.v. over 5 days.- In immunocompromised patients: up to 3 times/day 10-30 mg/kg bw i.v., depending on the severity of the herpes infection, treatment lasts 7-10 days.
Herpes encephalitis, herpes zoster generalisatus, herpes esophagitis, ulcerated genital herpes simplex: 10 mg/kg bw every 8 hours i.v. for 7-10 days.
Dose reduction for renal insufficiency: - creatinine clearance 25-50 ml/min. Extend the dose interval to 12 hours.
- 10-25 ml/min. Extend the dose interval to 24 hours.
- < 10 ml/min.: administration of half the single dose once/day.
- Dialysis patients: 5 mg/kg bw after each haemodialysis.
- In immunocompromised patients: up to 3 times/day 10-30 mg/kg bw i.v., depending on the severity of the herpes infection, treatment lasts 7-10 days.
- Children:
- Children from 3 months: 110 mg/day i.v. divided into 2-3 single doses.
- Children from 6 months: 130 mg/day i.v.
- Children from 1 year: 160 mg/day i.v.
- children from 3 years: 220 mg/day i.v. or twice a day 100 mg p.o.
- children from 7,5 years: 325 mg/day i.v. or 2 times/day 200 mg p.o.
- Children from 12 years of age: 440 mg/day i.v. or 3 times/day 200 mg p.o.
- Prophylactically:
- Recurrent genital herpes simplex: 2 times 200 mg/day p.o.
- Herpes simplex recidivans with immunosuppression: 2 times/day 400 p.o.
- Adults
- External therapy:
- Herpes ophthalmicus: eye ointments 3%.
- Skin: 5% in creams, start treatment at the first signs of the herpes disease (burning, itching, feeling of tension, redness), apply thinly 5 times/day to the infected and immediately adjacent skin areas.
Notice! Never administer Aciclovir s.c., i.m. or in bolus, let infusions run for at least 1 hour. Check creatinine level!
Undesirable effectsThis section has been translated automatically.
With external application: Allergic skin reactions, contact eczema. In case of systemic application: nausea, vomiting, allergic exanthema, urticaria, increase of creatinine, urea, bilirubin or transaminases. Rarely: drowsiness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures; in i.v. application: phlebitis at the infusion site.
InteractionsThis section has been translated automatically.
No WW are known for topical application, for systemic application see table 1.
ContraindicationThis section has been translated automatically.
Contact lenses (eye ointment), application on mucous membranes.
PreparationsThis section has been translated automatically.
Acic, Aciclovir, Herpetad, Mapox, Supraviran, Virzin, Zovirax, Juviral
PatientinformationThis section has been translated automatically.
In the case of recurrences, the patient should take the medication as soon as the first signs of the disease appear (itching, stinging, burning, pain). Apply ointment with a protective glove (1 cm of ointment is sufficient for an area of 5×5 cm), the lesions should always be carefully covered. In the case of genital herpes, sexual contact should be avoided until the skin lesions have healed!
TablesThis section has been translated automatically.
Major interactions of aciclovir with systemic application
Atovaquone |
Atovaquone effect ↓ |
Foscarnet |
|
Ganciclovir |
reciprocal toxicity ↑ |
Ifosfamide |
Myelosuppression ↑, renal damage ↑, CNS toxicity ↑ |
Interferon |
reciprocal effect ↑. |
Pethidine toxicity ↑. |
|
Probenecid |
HZW of aciclovir ↑ |
Zidovudine |
Seizures, lethargy |