Acyclovir (Generic Zovirax) - Product information and Uses

Acyclovir or Aciclovir is a guanosine analogue antiviral drug, marketed under trade names such as Zovirax, Cyclovir, Herpex, Acivir, Acivirax, and Zovir. Acyclovir is one of the most commonly used antiviral drugs and is primarily used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections, as well as in the treatment of varicella zoster (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles).
Acyclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1), 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). When Acyclovir is administered orally, peak plasma concentration occurs after 1–2 hours. Aciclovir has a high distribution rate and only 30% is protein-bound in plasma. The elimination half-life of aciclovir is approximately 3 hours. It is renally excreted.

Acyclovir - Availability And Packaging

Acyclovir is available as Generic Zovirax Tablets which is packaged in tablets of 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg. Each 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg tablet of Generic Zovirax contains 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg of acyclovir respectively.

Uses of Acyclovir (Generic Zovirax)

Aciclovir (Generic Zovirax) is indicated for the treatment of HSV and VZV infections, including:

• Genital herpes simplex (treatment and prophylaxis)
• Herpes simplex labialis (cold sores)
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Acute chickenpox in immunocompromised patients
• Herpes simplex encephalitis
• Acute mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients
• Herpes simplex keratitis (ocular herpes)
• Herpes simplex blepharitis (not to be mistaken with ocular herpes)
• Prophylaxis against herpesvirus' in immunocompromised patients (such as patients undergoing cancer chemotherapy)

Side Effects of Acyclovir (Generic Zovirax)

Common adverse drug reactions (occurring in 1% of patients or more) associated with systemic acyclovir therapy include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and/or headache. In high doses, hallucinations have been reported. Infrequent adverse effects (0.1-1% of patients) include: agitation, vertigo, confusion, dizziness, oedema, arthralgia, sore throat, constipation, abdominal pain, hair loss, rash and/or weakness. Rare adverse effects (<0.1% of patients) include: coma, seizures, neutropenia, leukopenia, crystalluria, anorexia, fatigue, hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and/or anaphylaxis.
Renal impairment has been reported when acyclovir is given in large, fast doses intravenously, due to the crystallisation of acyclovir in the kidneys.

Acyclovir (Generic Zovirax - Dosage

Given below is the recommended dosage for adults for the treatment of various indications:
Acute Treatment of Herpes Zoster: 800 mg every 4 hours orally, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.
Genital Herpes: Treatment of Initial Genital Herpes: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days.
Chronic Suppressive Therapy for Recurrent Disease: 400 mg 2 times daily for up to 12 months

Acyclovir (Generic Zovirax - Contraindications

Generic Zovirax is contraindicated in patients who develop hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

Additional Information

Additional Info: Prescribing Information

Considerable portions of the text here is from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aciclovir and is reproduced here under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License