Acyclovir

Acyclovir is a drug commonly prescribed for viral infections. Acyclovir acts as an antiviral drug as it puts a halt to viral replication within the cells of the body. Acyclovir is trusted by millions of doctors worldwide. It is the most commonly prescribed medication for herpes virus infections – herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2, varicella zoster and Epstein-Barr virus infections. Acyclovir is a FDA approved drug and is widely prescribed by doctors in the United States. The most common brand name for Acyclovir is Zovirax. Acyclovir is available in the form of capsules, tablets, suspensions, injections, ointments for local applications and powder for injection. The dose of oral acyclovir for adults is 200mg to 800 mg every four hourly i.e. 5 times a day. You may take Acyclovir before or after meals.

Benefits of Acyclovir:

• Acyclovir is a FDA approved drug.
• It is widely prescribed by doctors in the United States.
• Acyclovir is the most effective antiviral drug.
• Most commonly used drug for the treatment of Herpes infections.

What is Acyclovir used for:

Acyclovir is commonly available with the brand name Zovirax. It is the most commonly used antiviral drug. Acyclovir is extremely useful in the treatment of herpes simplex infections type 1 and type 2, varicella zoster and Epstein Barr virus infections. Acyclovir acts by inhibiting the viral replication. It gets incorporated into the viral DNA and blocks the formation of new viral DNA. Acyclovir is prescribed orally for the treatment of herpes zoster, genital herpes, cold sores and chicken pox. Most herpetic infections are associated with severe neuralgic pains. Acyclovir is known to reduce the intensity of pain, helps in quicker healing of the lesions. Also if inadequately treated herpes is known to remain dormant in the body and resurface whenever there is a drop in your immunity. Acyclovir kills virus effectively and prevents dormant infections.

Acyclovir decreases the frequency of recurrent infections. It inhibits the formation of new lesions and limits the spread of the virus. It is extremely useful in the treatment of chicken pox, especially it used in the first 24 hours of the onset. It reduces fever, helps quick resolution and healing of the lesions as well as limits the formation of new lesions.

Intravenous Acyclovir is administered in the treatment of herpes simplex and chicken pox in immunocompromised individuals and in those having severe genital herpes. In immunocompromised hosts, acyclovir is special use as it limits the viral infection and prevents it from spread to various parts of the body.

Topical acyclovir ointments are used for treating genital herpes, as it decreases the time taken for healing, resolves the lesions quickly, prevents new eruptions as well as reduces local pain.

How Acyclovir works:

It is an antiviral drug. It is extremely effective against viruses such as herpes simplex type 1 and 2, Epstein Barr virus and varicella zoster. Viruses infect the host cells and replicate within the cells at a very fast rate. It deprives the cell of the available nourishment, as it utilizes all the nutrients for its growth and multiplication. Acyclovir acts as a synthetic nucleoside. Acyclovir is converted into an active form by the virus. The virus uses acyclovir as a nucleoside required for DNA replication. Thus, acyclovir is incorporated into the DNA of the virus. Acyclovir blocks further replication of the DNA and thus prevents multiplication of the virus. The cells infected with the virus absorb more acyclovir than a normal cell.

How to take Acyclovir:

Acyclovir is available under the brand name Zorivax. It is available various doses – capsules – 200 mg; tablets are available in 400 mg and 800 mg doses. Suspensions are available as 200 mg per 5 ml. ointments containing acyclovir are available having a concentration of 5%. Apart from this injections are available as 50mg per ml and powder for injection as 500 and 1000mg. Store acyclovir at room temperature. You may take tablets or capsules orally with a glass of water. It may be taken before or after meals. The dose for oral intake of acyclovir is 200 mg to 800 mg every four hours i.e. 5 times daily. Intravenous acyclovir is administered in the dosage of 5 to 10 mg/ kg every 8 hours for about 7 days.

You must consume plenty of oral fluids while you are taking this medication. If using in the suspension form, shake the bottle well before use. Carefully measure the amount of liquid with the spoon or device provided for the same. You must take the medication regularly and every 4 hourly as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any dose or take an over dose. Take the medication preferably at the same time daily. Finish the entire course of treatment as advised by your doctor, do not leave it halfway.

Side effects of Acyclovir:

Most individuals tolerate acyclovir quite well and do not develop any side effects. Few of you might develop mild side effects like nausea, drowsiness, muscle pain, body ache, diarrhoea, vomiting, rash etc. Other side effects are hypersensitivity reactions, anaemia etc. However if you develop any other side effects like fever, seizures, pain the abdomen, loss of consciousness, palpitations, yellowish discolouration of skin or eyes, easy bruising or excessive bleeding etc. you must contact your doctor immediately.

Precautions you need to take while using Acyclovir:

If you are pregnant, you must inform your doctor. It is not safe to consume acyclovir during the first trimester of pregnancy. Acyclovir is known to be excreted in breast milk and this may not be safe for the infant. Hence if you are breast feeding your child you must inform your doctor. Acyclovir might interact with medications like theophylline, Probenecid, Valproic acid and phenytoin. If you are suffering from any other medical conditions or diseases you must tell your doctor. Also it is best if you inform your doctor the list of medications you are taking. Phenytoin levels in the blood decrease when used with acyclovir. On the other hand, acyclovir is known to increase the levels of theophylline in the blood.