| What is Zovirax?
Zovirax is an antiviral drug(INN: acyclovir) widely used in clinical practice. Zovirax is manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.
Presentation of Zovirax.
Zovirax comes in several formulations:
* Zovirax 200mg tablets;
* Zovirax 800mg tablets;
* Zovirax 800mg/10ml syrup.
* Injection Zovirax 250mg and 500mg.
* Zovirax Cream Tube 2g and 10g.
Mechanism of Action of Zovirax.
Zovirax antiviral activity is related to acyclovir is a specific inhibitor of herpes viruses with in vitro activity on Herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Aciclovir after being phosphorylated acyclovir triphosphate inhibits viral DNA synthesis.
Indications of Zovirax.
The indications for Zovirax:
Immunocompromised subjects:
* Infection with herpes simplex virus (HSV).
Immunocompetent:
Mucous membranes or skin infections:
* Treatment of herpes infections severe cutaneous or mucosal (this is usually primary infections), especially genital herpes and herpetic gingivostomatitis aiguës.En because of its mode of action of aciclovir n’éradique not latent viruses. After treatment, the patient will remain exposed to the same frequency of relapses before.
* Treatment of recurrent genital herpes.
* Infection with herpes simplex virus in subjects with at least 6 recurrences per year.
Eye infections:
* Prevention of recurrent HSV eye infections:
o epithelial keratitis after 3 recurrences per year or if known triggering factor;
o stromal keratitis and uveitis keratoconjunctivitis after 2 recurrences per year;
o In case of eye surgery.
* Treatment of keratitis and kerato-uveitis with HSV.
POSLog and method of administration of Zovirax.
Zovirax Dosage:
Immunocompromised subjects:
Infection Herpes Simplex: 4 tablets or 4 doses of 5 ml (200 mg) of oral suspension daily to take at regular intervals throughout the phase during which immunosuppression is desired anti-herpes prophylaxis.
Immunocompetent:
Mucous membranes or skin infections:
* Treatment of cutaneous or mucosal herpes infections severe: 5 tablets or 5 doses of 5 ml (200 mg) of oral suspension daily to take at regular intervals for 5 to 10 days.
* Treatment of recurrent genital herpes: 5 tablets or 5 doses of 5 ml (200 mg) of oral suspension daily to take at regular intervals for 5 days. Treatment should be started as soon as possible once the onset of symptoms.
* Infection with herpes simplex virus in subjects with at least 6 recurrences per year: 4 tablets or 2 doses of 10 ml (400 mg) of oral suspension per day in 2 doses. The treatment will be reviewed at intervals of time of 6 to 12 months to assess any possible change associated with the natural evolution of the disease.
Eye infections:
* Prevention of recurrent HSV eye infections:
o epithelial keratitis after 3 recurrences per year, and stromal keratitis kerato-uveitis after 2 recurrences per year: 4 tablets or 2 doses of 10 ml (400 mg) of oral suspension per day in 2 doses. The treatment will be reviewed at intervals of time of 6 to 12 months to assess any possible changes related to the natural history of disease;
o In case of eye surgery: 4 tablets or 2 doses of 10 ml (400 mg) of oral suspension per day in 2 doses.
* Treatment of eye infections with HSV:
o keratitis or kerato-uveitis: 10 tablets or 5 doses of 10 ml (400 mg) of oral suspension per day, 5 outlets.
Children:
* Tablet: in children over 6 years, the dose is the same as in adults.
* Oral suspension: in children over 2 years, the dose is the same as in adults.
Method of administration:
The tablet form is restricted to adults and children over 6 years.
Presenting oral suspension contains a graduated measuring cup, use as appropriate the scale 5 ml corresponding to a dose of 200 mg of acyclovir or the graduation 10 ml corresponding to 400 mg of acyclovir.
Cons-indications Zovirax.
The only cons-indication of Zovirax is hypersensitivity to the active substance or any excipients.
Side effects / adverse Zovirax.
Like any drug, Zovirax can give some side effects:
* Digestive disorders: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.
* Neuropsychological disorders: headache, lightheadedness. Sometimes severe neurological disorders and may include confusion, agitation, tremor, myoclonus, seizures, hallucinations, psychosis, drowsiness, coma have been rarely reported. This is usually renal dosed above the recommended dose or patients âgés.Une complete regression is usual to stop traitement.La presence of these symptoms should call for an overdose.
* Hepatic: reversible increases in bilirubin and serum liver enzymes were reported.
* Manifestations of hypersensitivity reactions and skin rash, urticaria, pruritus and exceptionally dyspnoea, angioedema and anaphylaxis.
* Hematologic: exceptional cases of thrombocytopenia and leukopenia.
* Renal: exceptionally increased urea and creatinine and blood acute renal failure, especially in elderly or renal failure in case of exceeding the dosage.
* Various effects: fatigue cases have occasionally been reported.
* Oral Suspension: Due to the presence of glycerol and sorbitol, risk of digestive problems and diarrhea.
Zovirax use during pregnancy or aillatement.
Zovirax should only be used during pregnancy only if the benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the fetus
Zovirax passes into breast milk and therefore should not be used during breastfeeding if the benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the breastfed infant