Possible applications
These products are recommended by experts for the treatment of herbes, as they have the ability
- prevent the formation of new sites of infection;
- reduce the possibility of spreading infection through internal organs;
- speed up the healing of ulcers;
- reduce pain in the acute phases of the disease;
- stimulate the body's immune system.
The variety of forms of the drug containing acyclovir, which are offered by the pharmaceutical industry, makes it possible to use the drug both for local treatment and in a system with other formulations.
What should you not do while taking acyclovir?
When using buccal acyclovir until it is completely dissolved in the mouth, you should avoid brushing your teeth, chewing gum, and wearing dentures. You can rinse your mouth with caution. It is recommended to drink plenty of water to prevent dry mouth.
It is worth remembering that herpes infections are contagious, even if you are treated with acyclovir you can still infect other people, so avoid contact of infected areas with other people. When touching the infected area, do not touch the mucous membranes of the eyes with your hands. Wash your hands with soap as often as possible to prevent the spread of infection.
With genital herpes, even during treatment with acyclovir, the risk of infecting a sexual partner does not decrease. It may still be contagious even if you don't have any symptoms.
Dosage forms
Products containing the active substance are produced by the following companies:
- in tablets;
- in powders intended for the preparation of solutions used for intravenous drip administration of the drug;
- in a thick cream or ointment consistency.
The use of the product, regardless of the release form, does not impose any age restrictions and is generally recommended based on the indications in each individual case. However, the use of compositions used to prepare solutions for drip administration implies hospital treatment, as it requires compliance with certain precautions.
Drugs produced in the form of creams, ointments and tablets are recommended for outpatient treatment.
Consequences of an overdose of acyclovir
Cases of overdose with acyclovir have not been recorded, but if a dose of acyclovir is taken too high, the following symptoms may occur:
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea;
- headache, dizziness, clouding of consciousness;
- dyspnea;
- anaphylaxis (immediate allergic reaction);
- febrile symptom (increased body temperature);
- swelling;
- visual impairment;
- general malaise;
- myalgia (muscle pain).
If you have taken a high dose of acyclovir and experience any of the above symptoms, you should seek emergency medical help as soon as possible.
Recommendations for use
Indications for the use of formulations containing acyclovir are:
- eye diseases caused by herbes simplex virus;
- herbes of the red border of the lips and skin tissues;
- viral stomatitis of the oral cavity;
- genital herpes;
- hepatic encephalitis.
For successful treatment of the disease, experts recommend:
- 5 percent creams, effective for external use;
- 5 percent ointments;
- ophthalmic 3 percent formulations;
- tablet forms, dosed at 200 and 400 mg;
- powders, for solutions, doses from 200 mg to 1 g.
What are the side effects of acyclovir?
Common side effects after taking acyclovir may include:
- headaches and dizziness;
- pain in the gastrointestinal tract, feeling of nausea;
- hives (itchy skin with large red rashes);
- fast fatiguability.
If you observe the following symptoms, you should contact an ambulance as soon as possible:
- skin hemorrhages on the body;
- vomit;
- problems with urination;
- behavioral changes;
- pain in the mouth when using the buccal form of acyclovir.
Acyclovir - instructions for use
When treating stomatitis caused by the herbes virus, it is customary to use acyclovir tablets, since creams and ointments are not able to have the desired effect due to the impossibility of fixing fat-based medications in the oral cavity. Therefore, such compositions are recommended for use when infection spreads in the skin tissues.
The course of the disease in severe form often requires the administration of drug solutions intravenously.
Acyclovir tablets
The course of taking tablets is from five to ten days, during which the drug is taken 4-5 times a day. For both adult patients and children starting from two years of age, the dosage of the drug is 200 mg at a time, and for children under two years of age the dose is halved, which is 100 mg.
Diseases that occur in severe forms often require an increase in dosage and therefore the drug can be prescribed in an amount of 400 mg per dose.
It should be taken into account that tablets should be taken during the daytime, which allows the drug not to settle in the kidneys and not cause side effects in the genitourinary system of the body. In addition, it is recommended to increase the volume of fluid consumed by the patient, which helps reduce the concentration of acyclovir in the urine and prevent the development of kidney disorders.
Treatment of the so-called “chickenpox” with drugs containing acyclovir is not recommended for children, since their age allows them to tolerate this disease in a milder form than adults.
Powder forms of acyclovir
Compositions for administering the drug through a dropper are prepared on the basis of physiological solution, for which bottles containing a certain amount of the drug are filled with liquid, according to the instructions, shaken thoroughly until the suspended particles are completely dissolved, and the finished solution is poured into containers for drip infusions.
Before the first use of the composition, it is necessary to test the tolerability of the drug, which allows you to avoid allergic reactions of the body when using it. The test involves applying the drug to a shallow scratch made with a needle on the inside of the forearm and observing for several minutes. If an area of inflammation forms around the damaged surface, the use of acyclovir should be avoided.
Drip administration of the drug is justified by the fact that the content of the drug in the patient’s blood should increase gradually, since otherwise this procedure can provoke complications. Therefore, one-time procedures are carried out within an hour, and sometimes longer.
Acyclovir ointment - instructions for use
Acyclovir ointment, the use of which is recommended for the local treatment of ailments caused by the herbes virus, is offered in tubes of 2, 5 or 10 g, the content of the active substance in these compositions is exactly 5%, which makes it possible to use the drug in the initial phase of the disease. Thus, products in the form of ointments and creams are recommended to be used at the first signs of the disease:
· when itching occurs;
· minor pain.
The procedures should be continued for 5-10 days, applying the composition to the skin, without rubbing the product, into the damaged area.
Acyclovir helps reduce the intensity of skin lesions, promoting rapid healing and crust formation. However, the crusts that form when using the drug should not be removed independently, since such an initiative significantly reduces the effectiveness of treatment and provokes infection of others with the herbes virus.
In addition, the use of the drug for medicinal purposes does not prevent the spread of the disease through sexual contact.
Eye ointment containing acyclovir
Such products are commercially produced in small tubes containing up to five grams of the drug, with an acyclovir concentration of 3%.
The use of the composition involves placing the product behind the lower eyelid, a thin strip up to one centimeter long, which helps the composition spread across the cornea and absorption into the surrounding tissues.
It is recommended to use the drug up to 5 times a day, for 5-10 days, however, if signs of intolerance occur, you must see a specialist and change the medicine.
Cost of drugs
Drugs in various forms are produced by both domestic and foreign pharmaceutical companies, therefore the choice of products that include acyclovir is quite diverse. In addition, the cost of these antiviral agents is affordable.
Thus, acyclovir in tablets, the price of which from domestic manufacturers does not exceed 250 rubles, allows people of any income to purchase and use an effective remedy.
Drugs produced in the form of ointments and creams are also not very expensive, which makes it possible to successfully cope with the disease in its initial stages without resorting to hospital treatment.
Powder forms of acyclovir, used for drip administration by professional medical workers, are produced mainly abroad, which affects the cost, but their use helps to cure severe viral infections.
What you need to know before you start taking acyclovir
You should not take this medication if you are allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir (Valtrex). The use of Sitavig buccal tablets is not recommended if you have an allergic reaction to milk proteins.
To make sure this medication is safe for you, check with your doctor before taking it if you have a history of the following conditions:
- kidney disease;
- weakened immunity (as a result of taking some medications or caused by any disease).
It is especially important to consult a specialist if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, or if you are breastfeeding a child. Because herpes can be passed on to your baby during birth if you develop genital lesions at birth. If you have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes during pregnancy.
During lactation, this medication may be unsafe. You should consult with your doctor to identify and determine any possible risks to your newborn baby.
Acyclovir can be used in children from 2 years of age.
What you need to know about acyclovir
Do not forget that acyclovir, like all other medications, must be stored out of the reach of children. Never share your medications with other people, so as not to harm their health. Remember that acyclovir should be used only for its intended purpose.
Always consult your doctor to make sure the information on this page applies to your individual situation.
Sources
Acyclovir / Drugs.com (English)
Acyclovir / State register of medicinal products (ukr.)
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Interaction of acyclovir with other drugs and substances
If you are using medications to treat tumors, osteoporosis (low bone density), gastrointestinal disorders, or rheumatoid diseases, then taking them together with acyclovir may increase the negative effect on the kidneys (nephrotoxicity). Therefore, you should be careful and when using any medications, you should consult your doctor.
Be careful!
When taking acyclovir simultaneously with Probenecid (a drug for gout), the half-life of acyclovir increases and its biotransformation (redistribution in the body) decreases. This is especially important for those who have impaired kidney function.
This is not an exhaustive list of drugs that may interact with acyclovir. You should tell your doctor about any medications you start or stop using.
