Acyclovir is taken during or immediately after a meal and washed down with a sufficient amount of water.The dosage regimen is set individually depending on the severity of the disease.
Treatment of infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by Herpes simplex 1 and 2 types: adults: acyclovir appoint 200 mg 5 times a day for 5 days: with 4-hour intervals during the day and with an 8-hour interval at night. In more severe cases of the disease, the course of treatment can be extended to a doctor's prescription for up to 40 days as part of a comprehensive therapy for severe immunodeficiency, including. with a developed clinical picture of HIV infection, including early clinical manifestations of HIV infection and the stage of AIDS; after bone marrow transplantation or when there is a violation of absorption from the intestine, 400 mg 5 times a day are prescribed.
Treatment should be started as soon as possible after the onset of infection; at relapses acyclovir prescribe in the prodromal period or with the manifestation of the first elements of the rash.
Prevention of recurrence of infections caused by Herpes simplex 1 u 2 types in patients with normal immune status.
The recommended dose is 200 mg 4 times a day (every 6 hours), or 400 mg twice a day (every 12 hours). In some cases, lower doses are effective - 200 mg 3 times a day (every 8 hours) or 2 times a day (every 12 hours).
Prevention of infections caused by Herpes simplex 1 and 2 types, in patients with immunodeficiency.
The recommended dose is 200 mg 4 times a day (every 6 hours). In case of severe immunodeficiency (for example, after bone marrow transplantation) or if there is a violation of absorption from the intestine, the dose is increased to 400 mg 5 times a day. Duration The preventive course of therapy is determined by the duration of the infection risk period.
Treatment of infections caused by the virus Varicella zoster (chickenpox).
Adults: prescribe 800 mg 5 times a day every 4 hours in the afternoon and with an 8-hour interval at night. Duration of treatment 7-10 days. Children: prescribe 20 mg / kg, 4 times a day for 5 days (maximum single dose 800 mg), children from 3 to 6 years: 400 mg 4 times a day, over 6 years: 800 mg 4 times a day day for 5 days.
Treatment should be started when the earliest signs or symptoms of chicken pox appear.
Treatment of infections caused by the virus Herpes zoster (shingles).
Adults: prescribe 800 mg 4 times a day every 6 hours for 5 days. Children over the age of 3 years the drug is administered in the same dose as and adults.
Treatment and prevention of infections caused by Herpes simplex 1 and 2 types, children of children with immunodeficiency and normal immune status.
Children from 3 years to 6 years - 400 mg once a day; over 6 years - 800 mg 4 times a day. A more accurate dose is determined from the calculation of 20 mg / kg body weight, but not more than 800 mg / day. The course of treatment is 5 days.
Data on the prevention of recurrence of infections caused by a simple virus herpes, and treatment of herpes zoster in children with normal immunity indices are absent.
Treatment of pediatric patients with severe immunodeficiency.
For treatment of children older than 3 years, prescribed 800 mg of acyclovir 4 times in day every 6 hours (as well as for the treatment of adults with immunodeficiency).
Patients of advanced age.
In the elderly, there is a decrease in clearance of acyclovir in the body in parallel with a decrease in the clearance of creatinine. Patients elderly age, taking large doses of the drug inside, should receive a sufficient amount of fluid. With renal insufficiency it is necessary to solve the problem of reducing the dose of the drug.
Patients with renal insufficiency.
Care must be taken when administering acyclovir to patients with renal insufficiency.In such patients, taking the drug inside at recommended doses from the purpose of treatment and prevention of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus does not lead to cumulation of the drug to concentrations exceeding the established safe levels. However, in patients with severe renal failure (creatinine clearance (CK) less than 10 ml / min), the dose of acyclovir should be reduced to 200 mg twice daily with 12-hour intervals.
When treating infections caused by a virus Varicella zoster, Herpes zoster, a also in the treatment of patients with severe immunodeficiency, the recommended dosages are: terminal renal failure (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml / min) - 800 mg twice a day every 12 hours; severe renal failure (clearance of creatinine 10-25 ml / min) - 800 mg 3 times a day every 8 hours.