Treatment of herpes simplex virus infections

Active Ingredient: Aciclovir

Indication for Aciclovir

Population group: only children (1 year - 12 years old)

Aciclovir is indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes (excluding neonatal HSV and severe HSV infections in immunocompromised children).

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

20 mg/kg bodyweight 4 times daily

Route of admnistration

Oral

Defined daily dose

80 mg per kg of body weight

Dosage regimen

20 mg per kg of body weight 4 time(s) per day every day for 5 day(s)

Detailed description

Children aged two years and over should be given adult dosages and children below the age of two years should be given half the adult dose.

Treatment of varicella infection:

  • 6 years and over: 800 mg four times daily.
  • 2-5 years: 400mg four times daily.
  • Under 2 years: 200mg four times daily.

Treatment should continue for five days.

Dosing may be more accurately calculated as 20 mg/kg bodyweight (not to exceed 800 mg) four times daily.

No specific data are available on the suppression of herpes simplex infections or the treatment of herpes zoster infections in immunocompetent children.

5 applications daily

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.

250 mg per square metre of body surface area

Route of admnistration

Intravenous

Defined daily dose

750 mg per m² of body surface area (BSA)

Dosage regimen

250 mg per m² of body surface area (BSA) 3 time(s) per day every day

Detailed description

The dose of aciclovir for infants and children aged between 3 months and 12 years is calculated on the basis of body surface area. Infants and children 3 months of age or older with Herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis) or Varicella zoster infections should be given aciclovir in doses of 250 mg per square metre of body surface area every 8 hours if 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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