| Zovirax (U.S.N.L.M.) | |
|---|---|
| Dosing/ (Zoster) | 800 mg po q4hr , 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. Most effective when started within 48 hours after onset of symptoms. |
| Dosing/ (Herpes Simplex) | 400mg po q4hr 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.¹ |
| Chem Specs | acyclovir |
| Quantities | 200, 400, 800mg, (and as a suspension) |
| Cost | 24.78/30tab/400mg generic |
| Class | Acyclovir is a guanine analogue. |
| Action | The activated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase. Viral thymidine kinase activates acyclovir, so non-infected cells remain unaffected. The activated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase. Viral thymidine kinase activates acyclovir, so non-infected cells remain unaffected. |
| Activity | Acyclovir is active against most species in the herpesvirus family. |
| Usage | Acyclovir is indicated for acute Herpes Zoster and Herpes Simplex keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis. 1. Patients at high risk for recurrent HSV may be kept on low dose (400mg bid ) maintenance for extended periods. (Modify treatment if antiviral resistance is suspected.) |
| Contraindications | Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir. |
| Pediatric use | > 2 years |
| Pregnancy | There are no adequate studies in pregnant women. Animal studies have not demonstrated tertatogenicity. |
| 800mg dosing or 800mg loading dose is considered by some to be a more effective treatment for Simplex. Steroids are indicated for HSV stromal keratitis but must be avoided in the acute phase of active viral replication on the ocular surface as in acute epithelial keratitis. 800mg dosing or 800mg loading dose is considered by some to be a more effective treatment for Simplex. Steroids are indicated for HSV stromal keratitis but must be avoided in the acute phase of active viral replication on the ocular surface as in acute epithelial keratitis. |
|
| (Two thirds of early Acanthamoeba keratitis are misdiagnosed as HSV.) |