Antiviral drug Acyclovir: Uses, doses, side effects

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When you have an infection, you need to use antibiotics. In case of a viral infection, antibiotics are not effective. At this time, it is necessary to use the anti-viral drug Acyclovir. But not everyone knows how to use Acyclovir to fight the virus effectively.

1. What is acyclovir?

Acyclovir is one of the antiviral drugs, it works to slow the growth and spread of viruses, creating favorable conditions for the body to fight infection.
Acyclovir is used in the treatment of diseases: chickenpox, shingles, genital herpes, cold sores. In addition, the drug Acyclovir is also used for many other purposes, depending on the condition and prescribed by the doctor.

2. What are the effects of Acyclovir?

Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain viruses. Acyclovir treats sores around the mouth caused by the herpes virus, shingles caused by the shingles virus, and chickenpox.
Acyclovir is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In patients with frequent relapses, acyclovir is used to reduce the number of relapses.
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. But it cannot cure the infection. The virus that causes the infection can continue to live in an infected person's body, even between outbreaks.

Acyclovir helps reduce the severity and duration of flare-ups. Medicines help sores heal faster, keep new sores from spreading, and relieve pain and itching. Medicines can also help relieve pain after the sores have healed. In addition, for people with weakened immune systems, the drug acyclovir can help reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing a serious infection.

3. Dosage

3.1. Dosage of acyclovir for adults 3.1.1. Treatment of Herpes Simplex - mucosa/immune system Oral: In the initial phase or intermittent treatment: dose 200mg/dose every 4 hours (5 times/day) for the first 10 days. Or use 400mg/time x 3 times/day. Relapse phase: use dose of 200mg/time x 5 times/day for 5 days or use dose of 400mg/time x 3 times/day for 5 days. Either take a dose of 800mg/time, orally twice a day for 5 days, or use a dose of 800mg/time x 3 times/day for 2 days. Treatment of orolabial HSV infection is 400mg/time x 5 times/day for 5 days. Intravenous route: In the early stages of severe disease: use a dose of 5 - 10 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours for 5-7 days. Treatment should be initiated at the earliest signs or symptoms of early or recurrent infection. 3.1.2. Treatment of Herpes Simplex - mucous membranes on immunocompromised people Oral: use a dose of 400mg/time, 8 hours apart for 7-14 days. Treatment of flare-ups using 200 mg/dose every 4 hours (5 times/day) for 5 - 10 days. Or use a dose of 400mg / time x 3 times / day for 5 - 10 days or 7 - 14 days.
Intravenous route: 5mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours for 7-14 days. Treatment of Orolabial HSV infection for HIV-infected patients at a dose of 400mg/time x 3 times/day for 7-14 days.

3.1.3. Treatment of patients with Herpes Simplex encephalitis Use a dose of 10 - 15 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours for 10 - 21 days. 3.1.4. Treatment for patients with Herpes Simplex - suppressing Chronic suppressive therapy: Patients with normal immune system: use 400mg/time x 2 times/day. HIV-infected patients: 200mg/time x 3 times/day or 400mg/time x 2 times/day. Patients with HIV, vaginal herpes: use dose from 400-800mg/time x 2-3 times/day. 3.1.5. Treatment of shingles Acute shingles: Use a dose of 800mg/time every 4 hours (5 times/day) for 7-10 days. In severely immunocompromised patients: 10 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours for 7-14 days. It is best to start treatment within the first 72 hours of the onset of the rash. In clinical trials, acyclovir was most effective when started within the first 48 hours.

3.1.6. Treatment of chickenpox For patients with normal immune system: use dose 800mg/time x 4 times/day for 5 days. In immunocompromised patients: 10 mg/kg body weight intravenously every 8 hours for 7-10 days or until no new lesions appear for 48 hours. After the patient's fever is gone and there is no evidence of organ involvement, oral therapy can be switched to 800mg/time x 4 times/day. It is best to start treatment at the earliest signs of chickenpox, no later than 24 hours after the rash appears.
3.2. Dosage of acyclovir for children 3.2.1. Children with Herpes Simplex Neonates: Under 3 months of age: 10 - 20 mg/kg body weight or 500 mg/m2 skin IV every 8 hours for 10-21 days.
Some doctors recommend a dose of 10mg/kg every 12 hours for premature infants.
3.2.2. Children with Herpes Simplex - mucosal/host immunity Children from 3 months to 11 years.
Initial phase: use dose 10 - 20mg/kg body weight orally x 4 times/day or 8-16mg/kg body weight orally 5 times/day for 7-10 days. Doctors recommend taking 40-80 mg/kg/day divided into 3-4 times/day for 5 days. The maximum dose is 1g/day. For children 12 years of age and older, or over 40 kg, use the same dose as adults in the initial phase, the initial severe phase, and the relapse phase.

3.2.3. Children with Herpes Simplex - mucosal / immunocompromised Oral: with a dose of 1g / day divided into 3 - 5 times / day for 7-14 days. Intravenous infusion: Children from 3 months to 11 years old: 5 - 10 mg/kg body weight or 250 - 500 mg/m2 skin IV every 8 hours for 7-14 days. Children 12 years and older or weighing over 40kg: use the same dose as adults. 3.2.4. Children with Herpes Simplex Encephalitis Children from 3 months to 11 years old: 10 - 20 mg/kg body weight or 500 mg/m2 skin IV every 8 hours for 10-21 days. Children 12 years of age and older: use the same dose as adults. 3.2.5. Children with Herpes Simplex - prevent Oral: Children under 12 years old: dose 80 mg/kg/day divided orally 3-4 times/day, not more than 1g/day. Children 12 years of age and older use the same dose as adults. Intravenous infusion: For immunocompromised patients, use a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight IV every 8 to 12 hours or 250 mg/m2 IV every 8 hours during the critical period. 3.2.6. Children with shingles orally: Children with a normal immune system (12 years old and older): use a dose of 800 mg / time orally every 4 hours (5 times / day) for 5 - 10 days. Children infected with HIV use a dose of 20 mg/kg body weight, up to 800 mg/time orally 4 times/day for 7-10 days. The above information cannot replace the advice of doctors, it is necessary to adhere to the dose prescribed by the doctor.

4. Acyclovir side effects

When using Acyclovir you may experience some of the following new side effects of varying severity:
Emergency case of any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: Rash Difficulty breathing Swelling of the face , lips, tongue or throat. Serious side effects, if you have them you should call your doctor today: You have pain in your lower back. You are urinating less than usual or may not be able to urinate at all. You bruise or bleed easily. You feel unusually weak. Less serious side effects may include: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea. Headache, feeling delirious. Swollen hands or feet.

Not everyone using Acyclovir will experience the above side effects. But there may also be other side effects not mentioned here. Therefore, if you have any questions about side effects, talk to your doctor right away.
Above is some basic information about the antiviral drug Acyclovir from its uses, dosage to possible side effects when using the drug. It is necessary to follow the instructions of the doctor, talk to the doctor immediately if you have any questions during the use of the drug.

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