Details About Generic Salt ::  Acyclovi

Main Medicine Class:: Anti-infective,antiviral   

(A-SIKE-low-vihr)

Zovirax,  Acyclovir Sodium, Avirax, Nu-Acyclovir, Zovirax, Zovirax 200

Class: Anti-infective/antiviral

Drugs Class ::

 Action Inhibits viral DNA replication by interfering with viral DNA polymerase.

Indications for Drugs ::

 Indications Parenteral form: Treatment of initial or recurrent mucosal and cutaneous herpes simplex viruses (HSV) and varicella zoster (shingles) infections in immunocompromised patients; treatment of herpes simplex encephalitis in infants > 6 mo; treatment of severe clinical episodes of genital herpes. Oral form: Treatment of initial and recurrent episodes of genital herpes in certain patients; acute treatment of shingles and chickenpox; suppressive therapy for frequent recurrence of genital herpes. Topical form: Treatment of initial episodes of herpes genitalis and some mucotaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients.

Unlabeled use(s): Treatment of cytomegalovirus and HSV infection after bone marrow or renal transplant; treatment of infectious mononucleosis, varicella pneumonia, chickenpox, and other HSV infections.

Drug Dose ::

 Route/Dosage

PARENTERAL

For IV infusion only; rapid or bolus IV must be avoided. ADULTS: IV 15 to 30 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses given q 8 hr over 1 hr. CHILDREN: IV 250 to 500 mg/m² q 8 hr.

ORAL

INITIAL GENITAL HERPES: ADULTS: PO 200 mg q 4 hr 5 times/day for 10 days. SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY FOR RECURRENT GENITAL HERPES: ADULTS: PO 400 mg bid or 200 mg q 8 hr. INTERMITTENT THERAPY FOR RECURRENT GENITAL HERPES: ADULTS: PO 200 mg q 4 hr 5 times/day for 5 days at earliest sign or symptom of recurrence. HERPES ZOSTER ADULTS: PO 800 mg q 4 hr 5 times/day for 7 to 10 days. CHICKENPOX ADULTS & CHILDREN: PO 20 mg/kg/dose (maximum 800 mg/dose) qid for 5 days.

Topical

ADULTS & CHILDREN: Apply to lesions q 3 hr 6 times/day.

Contraindication ::

 Contraindications Standard considerations.

Drug Precautions ::

 Precautions

Pregnancy: Category C. Lactation: Excreted in breast milk. Children: Safety and efficacy in children < 2 yr not established. Encephalopathic changes: Patients with underlying neurologic abnormalities or severe hypoxia may have increased risk of neurotoxic effects. Cutaneous use: Care must be taken to avoid getting drug in eyes. Renal impairment: Dosage adjustment may be needed. With parenteral use, acyclovir may precipitate as crystals in renal tubules. Genital herpes: Sexual intercourse must be avoided when lesions are present. Use of acyclovir does not prevent transmission.

Drug Side Effects ::

 Adverse Reactions

CV: Phlebitis at injection site. CNS: Encephalopathic changes; lethargy; obtundation; tremor; confusion; hallucinations; headache; agitation; seizures; coma. DERM: Inflammation at injection site; itching; rash; hives. GI: Nausea; vomiting. HEPA: Transient elevations of serum creatinine, BUN, transaminases. OTHER: Asthenia; paresthesis. Topical form: Burning or stinging; pruritis. Topical use may cause same adverse reactions as systemic use.

Drug Mode of Action ::  

 Action Inhibits viral DNA replication by interfering with viral DNA polymerase.

Drug Interactions ::

 Interactions

Zidovudine: Increased propensity for lethargy. INCOMPATIBILITIES: Precipitation may occur with bacteriostatic water. Do not add acyclovir to biologic or colloidal fluids.

Drug Assesment ::

 Assessment/Interventions

• Obtain patient history, including drug history and any known allergies.
• Monitor IV site for redness, swelling, or heat.
• Rotate IV sites frequently.
• Monitor vital signs frequently during infusion.
• Monitor serum BUN and creatinine.
• Assess for nausea and vomiting.
• Monitor I&O.
• Notify physician if lesion does not improve or recurs.

Drug Storage/Management ::

 Administration/Storage

Topical

• Use finger cot or rubber glove when applying topical ointment to prevent spread of infection.
• Cover entire lesion with ointment 6 times/day for 7 days. A ½-inch ribbon of ointment covers » 4 sq inches.

Parenteral

• Administer at room temperature. Be certain any precipitate in refrigerated solution dissolves at room temperature.
• Administer after hemodialysis.
• Avoid rapid or bolus IV administration.
• Establish infusion rate to administer over ³ 1 hr.
• Use reconstituted solution within 12 hr.

Oral/Suspension/Capsules

• Shake suspension before using.
• Store capsules at room temperature.

Drug Notes ::

 Patient/Family Education

• Advise patient to avoid sexual intercourse while genital herpes lesions are present.
• Tell patient that acyclovir is a treatment, not a cure.
• Instruct patient to notify physician if there is no reduction in severity or frequency of lesions.
• Advise patient that ointment is for external use only.
• Teach patient to apply ointment with finger cot or glove and to completely cover lesion every 3 hr 6 times/day.
• Advise patient that transient burning, stinging, itching, or rash may occur, and to notify physician if these symptoms are pronounced or persistent.
• Caution patient to start treatment as soon as symptoms occur.
• Tell patient not to use medication on or near eyes.
• Advise patient to notify physician if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, numbness, tingling, or general body discomfort occurs with oral dosing.

Disclaimer ::

The Information available on this site is for only Informational Purpose , before any use of this information please consult your Doctor .Price of the drugs indicated above may not match to real price due to many possible reasons may , including local taxes etc.. These are only approximate indicative prices of the drug.