Aciclovir (GenRx)

What it is used for

For use in adult patients for: 1. The treatment of first episode (primary or non-primary) genital herpes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in certain patients; 2. The treatment of acute attacks of herpes zoster (shingles), when the duration of rash is less than 72 hours; 3. The management of patients with advanced symptomatic HIV disease (CD4+counts, <150 x 10exp6l). genital herpes initial episodes: the duration of viral shedding is reduced very significantly; pain and time to healing are also reduced. promptness initiation therapy or patient's prior exposure simples virus mayinfluence degree benefit from therapy. intravenous should be considered in patients whom prostation, central nervous system involvement inability take oral medication requires hospitalisation more aggressive management. aciclovir does not prevent establishment latency primary episodes. recurrent a) suppression: with frequent recurrences, suppressive prevents reduces frequency severity recurrences a high proportion patients. abortive episodes (prodromal symptoms without vesicle formation) occasional breakthrough may, however, continue occur during appropriate for attacks mild, last short periods infrequently (forexample, less frequently than once month). effective only period intake has no residula beneficial effect. it eradicate body pool. following cessation onset their frequency, remain generally unaffected. some experience increased first episode risk inducing resistance potential long term adverse effects (see carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, on fertility) weighed carefullybefore initiating asymptomatic cases known shed frequency. at present limited data available extent receiving therefore, if tablets being used prenatal use pregnancy) assumed that ceased. pregnancy managed according considerations normally applicable herpes. view complex variable natural history herpes, interrupted periodically ascertain whether disease undergone spontaneous change dosage administration). b) intermittent treatment: certain short-term treatment effective. although average patient would derive benefits such treatment, minority who have experienced severe, prolonged complicated by eczema, burns or immunosuppression may experience more appreciable benefits. In those patients, intermittent treatment may be more appropriate than suppressive therapy when recurrences are infrequent. HERPES ZOSTER In controlled trials, aciclovir was shown to reduce acute pain and rash progression in adult patients of all ages with herpes zoster, in whom the duration of rash was less than 72 hours. The same treatment On controlled trials, aciclovir was shown to reduce acute pain and rash progression appeared to be relatively less effective in younger patients, in whom herpes zoster is generally a milder disease. In ophthalmic zoster, oral aciclovir has been shown to reduce the incidence of stromal keratitis and both the incidence and severity of anterior uveitis, but not other ocular complicationsor acute pain. Note: In im mune-competent patients with very severe herpes zoster, immune-compromised patients or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, consideration should be given to intravenous dosing. Patients with advanced symptomatic HIV disease (CD4+ counts, <150 x 10exp6/L). Studies have shown that oral aciclovir reduced mortality in patients with advanced HIV disease. In addition, oral aciclovir provided effective prophylaxis for herpes virus disease. No significant effective was seen on prophylaxsis of CMV disease of EBV disease.