Acyclovir (Acycloguanosine)(ay sye’ kloe ver)
Apo-Acyclovir (CAN), Gen-Acyclovir (CAN), ratio-Acyclovir (CAN), Zovirax
PREGNANCY CATEGORY B
Drug Classes
Antiviral
Purine nucleoside analogue
Therapeutic Actions
Antiviral activity; inhibits viral DNA replication.
Indications
Initial and recurrent mucosal and cutaneous HSV-1 and HSV-2 and varicella zoster infections in immunocompromised patients
Severe initial and recurrent genital herpes infections in immunocompromised patients
Herpes simplex encephalitis
Treatment of neonatal HSV infections
Acute treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) and chickenpox (varicella)
Ointment: Initial herpes genital infections; limited mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients
Cream: Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in patients 12 yr or older
Unlabeled uses: Cytomegalovirus and HSV infection following transplant, ocular and other herpes simplex infections, varicella pneumonia, disseminated primary eczema herpeticum
Contraindications and Cautions
Contraindicated with allergy to acyclovir, renal disease, lactation.
Use cautiously with pregnancy.
Available Forms
Tablets—400, 800 mg; capsules—200 mg; suspension—200 mg/5 mL; powder for injection—500 mg/vial, 1,000 mg/vial; injection—50 mg/mL; ointment—50 mg/g; cream—50 mg/g
Dosages
Adults
Parenteral
Herpes genitalis: 5 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr every 8 hr for 5 days.
Herpes encephalitis: 10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr every 8 hr for 10 days.
Herpes simplex, immunocompromised patients: 5 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr every 8 hr for 7 days.
Varicella zoster, immunocompromised patients: 10 mg/kg IV infused over 1 hr every 8 hr for 7 days.
Oral
Initial genital herpes: 200 mg every 4 hr five times daily (1,000 mg/day) for 10 days.
Long-term suppressive therapy: 400 mg bid for up to 12 mo.
Recurrent therapy: 200 mg every 4 hr five times daily for 5 days.
Acute herpes zoster: 800 mg every 4 hr five times daily while awake for 7–10 days.
Chickenpox: 800 mg qid for 5 days.
Pediatric patients
Parenteral
HSV infections in patients younger than 12 yr: 10 mg/kg infused IV over 1 hr every 8 hr for 7 days.
Varicella zoster infection in patients younger than 12 yr: 20 mg/kg IV over 1 hr every 8 hr for 7 days.
Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Full access? Get Clinical Tree
