Varicella, herpes zoster

Active Ingredient: Aciclovir

Indication for Aciclovir

Population group: only adolescents (12 years - 18 years old) , adults (18 years old or older)

Aciclovir is indicated for the treatment of varicella (chickenpox) indicated for the treatment of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) infections.

For this indication, competent medicine agencies globally authorize below treatments:

800 mg five times daily

Route of admnistration

Oral

Defined daily dose

4,000 mg

Dosage regimen

800 mg 5 time(s) per day every day for 7 day(s)

Detailed description

800 mg should be taken five times daily at approximately four-hourly intervals, omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for seven days.

In severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, consideration should be given to intravenous dosing.

Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection: Treatment of herpes zoster yields better results if initiated as soon as possible after the onset of the rash. Treatment of chickenpox in immunocompetent patients should begin within 24 hours after onset of the rash.

Treatment

Route of admnistration

Cutaneous

Defined daily dose

5 {spreads}

Dosage regimen

1 {spreads} 5 time(s) per day every day for 5 day(s)

Detailed description

Cream should be applied five times daily at approximately four hourly intervals, omitting the night time application. Treatment should be continued for at least 4 days for herpes labialis and for 5 days for genital herpes. If healing has not occurred then treatment may be continued for up to an additional 5 days.

5 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours

Route of admnistration

Intravenous

Defined daily dose

15 - 30 mg per kg of body weight

Dosage regimen

From 5 To 10 mg per kg of body weight 3 time(s) per day every day for 7 day(s)

Detailed description

Patients with Herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis) or Varicella zoster infections should be given aciclovir I.V. in doses of 5 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours provided renal function is not impaired.

Immunocompromised patients with Varicella zoster infections or patients with herpes encephalitis should be given aciclovir I.V. in doses of 10 mg/kg body weight every 8 hours provided renal function is not impaired.

Active ingredient

Aciclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral agent with activity against herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. Acyclovir inhibits the DNA polymerase of the virus, preventing further proliferation.

Read more about Aciclovir

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