Acyclovir

Therapeutic Group

Anti-virals For Systemic Use

Indication Dosage

Acyclovir is used to treat viral infections caused by herpes simplex viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles. It helps reduce the severity and duration of these infections, relieving symptoms and promoting healing.

Herpes Simplex, Genital Herpes Simplex, Suppression & Treatment: 

  • Adult & Children Above 12 Yrs: Suppression: 400 Mg Twice Daily, Alternatively 200 Mg 4 Times A Day; Increased To 400 Mg 3 Times A Day, Dose May Be Increased If Recurrences Occur On Standard Suppressive Therapy Or For Suppression Of Genital Herpes During Late Pregnancy (from 36 Weeks Gestation), Therapy Interrupted Every 6-12 Months To Reassess Recurrence

Frequency; Consider Restarting After Two Or More Recurrences. Treatment: 

  • Adult: 200 Mg 5 Times A Day, Alternatively 400 Mg 3 Times A Day Both Courses Usually For 5 Days (longer If New Lesions Appear During Treatment Or If Healing Incomplete) 

Herpes Simplex, Genital Herpes Simplex, Prophylaxis & Treatment In The Immune-compromised, Severe Genital Herpes Simplex: 

Prophylaxis: 

Oral: 

  • Adult: 200-400 Mg 4 Times A Day 
  • Children 1-23 Months: 100-200 Mg 4 Times A Day; 
  • 2-17 Years: 200-400 Mg 4 Times A Day 

By IV Infusion: 

  • Adult: 5 Mg/kg Every 8 Hours 

Treatment: 

  • Adult: 400 Mg 5 Times A Day (longer If New Lesions Appear During Treatment Or If Healing Incomplete) 
  • Children 1-23 Months: 200 Mg 4 Times A Day; 
  • 2-17 Years: 200-400 Mg 4 Times A Day (longer If New Lesions Appear During Treatment Or If Healing Incomplete) 

Genital Herpes Simplex, Treatment Of Recurrent Infection: 

  • Adult: 800 Mg 3 Times A Day For 2 Days, Alternatively 200 Mg 5 Times A Day For 5 Days, Alternatively 400 Mg3 Times A Day For 3-5 Days 

Genital Herpes Simplex, Treatment Of Recurrent Infection In Immune-compromised Or Hiv-positive Patients: 

  • Adult: 400 Mg 3 Times A Day For 5-10 Days 

Varicella Zoster (chickenpox), Treatment, Herpes Zoster (shingles), Treatment: 

Oral: 

  • Adult & Children Above 12 Yrs: 800 Mg 5 Times A Day For 7 Days 
  • Children 1-23 Months: 200 Mg 4 Times A Day For 5 Days; 
  • 2-5 Yrs: 400 Mg 4 Times A Day For 5 Days; 
  • 6-11 Yrs: 800 Mg 4 Times A Day For 5 Days 

By IV Infusion: 

  • Adult: 5 Mg/kg Every 8 Hours Usually For 5 Days

In Immune-compromised Patients: 

  • Adult: 10 Mg/kg Every 8 Hours Usually For 5 Days 

Herpes Zoster, Treatment In Encephalitis, Varicella Zoster, Treatment In Encephalitis 

By IV Infusion: 

  • Adult: 10 Mg/kg Every 8 Hours Given For 10-14 Days In Encephalitis, Possibly Longer If Also Immune-compromised Or If Severe Infection 

Varicella Zoster (chickenpox), Attenuation Of Infection If Varicella-zoster Immunoglobulin Not Indicated: 

  • Adult: 10 Mg/kg 4 Times A Day For 7 Days, To Be Started 1 Week After Exposure 
  • Children: 10 Mg/kg 4 Times A Day For 7 Days, To Be Started 1 Week After Exposure

Content

  • IV Infusion 250mg /500mg /1gm: Acyclovir 250mg /500mg /1gm, Powder In Vial.
  • Tab /Cap 200mg /400mg /800mg: Acyclovir 200mg /400mg /800mg.
  • Susp 200mg /400mg: Per 5 ml: Acyclovir 200mg /400mg

Pregnancy

Caution Advised, Use Only When Potential Benefit Outweighs Risk.

Stability

  • Nucleoside Analogue

Contra Indications

  • None Known

Precautions

  • None Known

Lactation

  • Caution Advised

Side Effects

  • Abdominal Pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Photosensitivity
  • Pruritus
  • Rash
  • Urticaria
  • Vomiting
  • Anaemia
  • Ataxia
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Dysarthria
  • Dyspnea
  • Hallucinations
  • Hepatitis
  • Jaundice
  • Leucopenia
  • Neurological Reactions
  • Thrombocytopenia. With Intravenous Use: Agitation
  • Fever
  • Psychosis
  • Severe Local Inflammation
  • Tremors.
  • Rare: Acute Renal Failure