A person is constantly surrounded by viruses. This can be a common cold, flu, chickenpox, or common cold sores. All these diseases caused by viruses, without proper treatment, pose a serious threat to the health of the patient. Acyclovir Forte is a modern, comprehensive drug to help with the activation of the herpes virus.
Material Content:
General description and composition of the drug
This pharmaceutical preparation refers to analogues of an acyclic nucleoside. The drug has selective activity against Herpes viruses.
In medical practice, the drug is in demand during the treatment of herpes infection and related skin manifestations.
The main active ingredient is acyclovir - an antiherpetic substance of a synthetic nature.
The composition of the medicine also includes additional components:
- cellulose;
- povidone;
- indigo carmine;
- magnesium stearate;
- water;
- starch;
- lactose.
In one tablet "Acyclovir Forte" - 400 mg of the active substance. Sold in cell packaging or cardboard boxes.
It is important to pay attention that this medicine contains lactose and sucrose - this may serve as a contraindication for its use by some patients.
"Acyclovir Forte" is well absorbed in the body, the maximum concentration of the substance occurs 2 hours after administration.
Instructions for use for children and adults
As a rule, the medication has an effective effect on rashes on the mucous membranes and skin caused by the herpes virus.And also with herpetic manifestations in patients with low immunity, chickenpox and lichen. Often, experts prescribe this drug to people with weakened immune systems in order to prevent diseases caused by viruses.
Acyclovir Forte tablets should be consumed immediately after a meal and washed down with plenty of fluids.
For the treatment of primary and recurrent skin lesions, the following dosages are prescribed for each individual group:
- With herpetic lesions of the skin and mucous membranes. Adults are shown 200 mg up to 5 times a day, observing an interval of 4 hours. The course of treatment is set individually, but often does not exceed ten days. In the case of HIV infection, after bone marrow implantation and immunodeficiency, 400 mg is prescribed up to 5 times a day. Children over three years of age with this diagnosis take the same dosage as adults.
- In order to prevent diseases caused by Herpes virus. In this case, patients are prescribed 200 mg 4 times a day, observing a break of 6 hours. The duration of therapy is six months.
- For the treatment of smallpox and lichen. Adults are shown treatment at 800 mg 5 times a day, observing an interval of 4 hours. The duration of therapy is 10 days. Children take 20 mg per kg of body weight 4 times a day, from three to six years old, 400 mg 4 times a day is shown, children over six years old are shown 800 mg 4 times a day.
During pregnancy and lactation
It is extremely important to note that the main substance of this medication is able to penetrate the placenta, and also the product is concentrated in breast milk.
As a rule, this medication against viral infections is not recommended to be taken during the period of gestation. But in cases where the intended benefit significantly exceeds the possible risk, the remedy can be prescribed under the close supervision of the attending physician.
If you need to use the medicine during lactation, you should stop breast-feeding.
Drug interaction
Before prescribing this drug, the patient must voice to the attending physician all other means that he uses. When combined with probenecid, a delay in the elimination of the drug is noted, and the clearance of the main component also decreases. Concomitant use with nephrotoxic drugs significantly increases the risk of impaired renal function. And immunostimulants affect the effectiveness of this drug and increase it.
Contraindications, side effects, overdose
In practice, undesirable reactions after the use of "Acyclovir Forte" occurred quite rarely, since it is believed that the drug is well tolerated even by young children.
Among the possible negative manifestations:
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, pain.
- Migraines, dizziness, tremor of limbs, insomnia.
- With an allergic reaction, rashes, itching, burning, fever, low-grade body temperature are noted.
- Extremely rare phenomena: swelling, baldness, loss of vision, muscle soreness.
Most of the negative reactions can occur due to an overdose, however, such cases have not been reported.
Despite the fact that the drug is low toxic, the instructions for use indicate some contraindications:
- Individual hypersensitivity to individual components, in particular to the main component.
- The period of breastfeeding.
- Children under three years old.
- With galactose intolerance and lactase deficiency.
Also in a separate group are patients who need to take medicine with caution.
Caution should be exercised in patients with kidney dysfunction, the elderly, pregnant women, and patients with neurological impairment.
You may need a dosage adjustment, and the consultation of your doctor is required.
Antiviral drug analogues
There are a number of synonymous drugs that have almost identical pharmacological properties and similar components.
Among these medicines:
- "Herpevir" (antiviral medication, the active component is acyclovir);
- "Cyclovir" (antiherpetic medicine);
- "Herperax" (an antiviral agent in the form of an ointment, the main component is acyclovir);
- Zovirax and others.
It is not recommended to replace the prescribed medication yourself. If there is such a need, it is worth consulting with a specialist.
