page header

Contents  ·  Introduction  ·  Learning  Objectives  ·  Textbook  ·  Lectures  ·  Procedures  ·  Final Exam  ·  Library  ·  Laboratory  ·  Pharmacy  ·  Imaging  ·  Forms  ·  Videos  ·  About  ·  Contact Us>

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

Category:

  • Antiviral

Description:

  • Purine nucleotide that inhibits viral replication

  Indications:

  • Genital herpes treatment and prophylaxis

  • Mucosal and cutaneous herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) treatment and prophylaxis

  • Varicella-zoster (chickenpox & shingles)  

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C

  • Dosing modification is required for patients with impaired renal function.

  • Avoid sexual contact when genital lesions are present.

  • Medication treatment is not a cure for viral infection.

  • Do not exceed recommended dose.

  • Initiate therapy at earliest signs of symptoms.

  • Use rubber gloves or a finger cot when applying topical cream to active lesions, so as not to inoculate other areas.

  Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • Malaise (11.5%)

  • Nausea and vomiting (2-8%)

  • Headache (6%)

  • Pain / phlebitis at injection site (9%)

Dosage:

Administered as an oral tablet, capsule, topical cream or injection

Parenteral (avoid rapid IV, IM or SQ injections, administer via slow IV infusion):

Mucosal and cutaneous HSV infections:

  • 5mg/kg infused over 1 hour, every 8 hours for 7 days

Varicella-zoster (shingles) infections:

  • 10mg/kg infused over 1 hour, every 8 hours for 7 days

Herpes simplex encephalitis:

  • 10mg/kg infused over 1 hour, every 8 hours for 10 days

Oral:

Herpes simplex:

  • Initial infection: 200mg q4h (5 times a day) for 10 days

  • Chronic suppression: 400mg bid for 12 months

  • Intermittent therapy: 200mg q4h (5 times a day) for 5 days

Herpes zoster, acute treatment

  • 800mg q4h (5 times a day) for 7-10 days

Chickenpox

  • 20mg/kg (not to exceed 800mg) qid for 5 days

Topical:

  • Apply a sufficient quantity to adequately cover all lesions q3h (6 times a day) for 7 days.

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Military Obstetrics & Gynecology
© 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Medical Education Division, Brookside Associates, Ltd.
All rights reserved

Other Brookside Products

 


This information is provided by The Brookside Associates.  The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

C. 2009, 2014, All Rights Reserved

brookside associates logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertise on this site