Features of the use of Acyclovir for stomatitis

Almost every person in his life has encountered a disease such as stomatitis. The disease most often affects children, but also occurs in adults. Stomatitis is characterized by the formation of erosions and ulcers on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity. The main cause of the disease is the deterioration of the human immune system.

The reasons for the development of stomatitis are the following factors:

• poor-quality sanitation of the oral cavity;
• insufficient adherence to personal hygiene rules;
• the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• avitaminosis;
• hormonal imbalances;
• malocclusion;
• ascariasis and other parasitic diseases;
• viral, fungal and bacterial infections;
• injury to the oral mucosa.

Characteristics of the medicine

Acyclovir tablets for stomatitis

This antiviral drug is used to treat herpes and various complications caused by this virus. Acyclovir for stomatitis in adults has a detrimental effect on the harmful virus. When it gets into the DNA, it breaks the chain and prevents its further development. Moreover, the effect of Acyclovir for stomatitis in the mouth has absolutely no effect on the patient’s DNA.

Treatment with the drug guarantees recovery if you start taking Acyclovir tablets for stomatitis at the very beginning of the disease. After taking the medicine, the formation of new painful ulcers decreases. Pain sensations disappear and a crust forms faster. The likelihood of complications becoming minimal. The drug normalizes the functioning of the immune system and promotes rapid healing of damaged tissue.

Many patients ask: can stomatitis be smeared with Acyclovir? The answer is clear: yes, it is possible. Dentists mainly prescribe ointment. The reason is simple: only 20% of the drug remains in the body. Tablets are prescribed only when a viral process is determined.

Action of Acyclovir for herpetic stomatitis

Acyclovir is an effective antiviral agent. Active against the herpes virus, as well as Epstein-Barr and cytomegalovirus. It acts selectively on pathogenic cells, disrupting the synthesis of their DNA and thus suppressing the reproduction of the pathogen. The advantage of the drug is that it does not affect the genetic material of human cells, therefore it is low-toxic.

Acyclovir is especially effective in acute forms of herpetic stomatitis . The tablets have a systemic effect, penetrating into the lesion from the intestine through the bloodstream. Local application of ointment accelerates the healing of blisters, drying them out, and reduces itching, pain and burning.

Other drugs can be used to treat stomatitis - Bonafton, Helepin ointment. Acyclovir is considered somewhat outdated, but in the initial episode of the disease it is highly effective. Approximately half of the patients are resistant to this medicine; they should choose another remedy to get rid of stomatitis.

Treatment of stomatitis in a child

Ulcers that cover the mucous membrane prevent the baby from eating normally. He constantly complains of a burning sensation and severe pain. Acyclovir for stomatitis in children allows you to quickly destroy the virus that has entered the child’s body.

Attention! If the baby is less than three months old, treatment of stomatitis with Acyclovir is strictly prohibited.

Detailed instructions for use prohibit covering the mucous membrane with the medicine. The drug can cause severe inflammation, since the ointment consists of substances that can harm the child’s body. So is it possible to use Acyclovir for stomatitis if it appears on the lips?

Doctors allow its targeted use to prevent the formation of painful ulcers on the skin. Before you start using Acyclovir ointment for stomatitis, you must first prepare the affected area. For this you can use:

• hydrogen peroxide -1%;
• propolis tincture;
• calendula solution;
• chlorhexidine;
• furatsilin solution.

It is very important not to dry out your lips during preparatory operations. Using a sterile napkin or bandage, remove the crusts from the lips and dry them well. The ointment is applied only to the affected areas. The ulcer itself is lubricated, together with the border surrounding it.

The drug is considered a very effective medicine. It is prescribed at any age, only the dosage of Acyclovir differs. A child over two years old is prescribed to take tablets (200 mg) five times a day. If the child has not reached the age of two, the dose of the drug is reduced to 100 mg. The tablets are taken with or after meals. The medicine should be taken with plenty of water.

Important! A child taking Acyclovir must drink a lot. This will reduce the concentration of the drug in the urine and help eliminate the formation of renal failure.

Description of the drug

Acyclovir is used against stomatitis to destroy viruses - the main cause of infectious pathology.

Using the drug for 3-5 days can stop inflammation and reduce the severity of symptoms. Clinically this manifests itself as follows:

• the maturation of bubbles and the formation of crusts in places of erosion are accelerated;
• rashes stop spreading to healthy areas of the skin, and then their number decreases;
• By suppressing inflammation, blood circulation in damaged tissues is normalized and regeneration is significantly accelerated.

Immunocompromised patients are usually hospitalized for parenteral administration of Acyclovir. Further therapy is carried out in a hospital setting under the supervision of medical personnel.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Acyclovir is an effective drug for suppressing viral activity in stomatitis. It is also characterized by weak immunomodulator properties due to increased local immunity.

The use of the drug for enteroviral stomatitis helps to destroy viruses that have entered the body from the environment. As a rule, they provoke the development of a gastrointestinal infection with all the signs of food poisoning.

A course of treatment with Acyclovir for herpetic stomatitis makes it possible to transfer the pathology to a latent form. It is characterized by a complete absence of any clinical manifestations.

pharmachologic effect

The active ingredient of the drug is similar in chemical structure to thymidine, a purine base that disrupts the replication of viruses. By introducing itself into the affected cells of the human body, the active substance breaks the chains of viral DNA. The growth and active reproduction of infectious pathogens stops, and the pathology becomes a persistent, sluggish form.

Recovery is significantly accelerated while taking immunomodulators.

These drugs enhance and prolong the pharmacological effect of Acyclovir. An important aspect of the combination is to prevent the development of side effects by reducing the duration of therapy.

Release form and composition

In the treatment of stomatitis in children and adults, Acyclovir tablets 0.2 g and 0.4 g, 5% ointment and cream are used.
In ophthalmological practice, 3% ointment is used in the treatment of herpetic keratitis. Domestic and foreign manufacturers also produce lyophilisate, from which solutions for parenteral administration are prepared.

The composition of drugs from the Acyclovir therapeutic line includes auxiliary ingredients:

• propylene glycol, petroleum jelly, paraffin to form an ointment base;
• microcrystalline cellulose, talc, starch as tablet filler.

These ingredients contribute to the maximum accumulation of the antiviral agent in infectious foci. The auxiliary components of the ointment and cream soften the skin and protect it from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Some advice from doctors

Only a doctor can determine the optimal dose of medication for a child. It takes into account several important factors:

• age;
• floor;
• weight.

Therefore, if you have stomatitis, you must definitely visit a doctor to determine the exact dosage of the tablets, as well as to clarify the compatibility of the drug if you need to take other medications. The condition of a sick child taking Acyclovir requires constant monitoring. The drug may cause:

• allergies;
• headache;
• diarrhea;
• nausea.

If side effects occur, you must stop taking the medication and immediately consult your doctor.

Side effects

The drug is well tolerated by most patients. The most common side effects of Acyclovir are:

• headache;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• allergic symptoms (rash, swelling of the skin and mucous membranes);
• weakness;
• diarrhea;
• increased production of liver enzymes.

Side effects such as nervous excitement, dry skin, anemia, drowsiness, convulsions, local inflammatory reactions, renal failure, and confusion occur much less frequently. In elderly people, exceeding the concentration of Acyclovir is highly likely to cause serious adverse reactions from the nervous system.

Acyclovir for adults

Treatment with Acyclovir for stomatitis in adults is similar to that for children. The therapeutic course includes intravenous injections and pills. The dosage of the medicine, as well as its form, is determined by the attending physician. It takes into account several factors:

• laboratory parameters;
• visual inspection;
• characteristics of the patient.

To get the maximum effect from treatment with the drug, you must adhere to several rules:

1. The course of treatment is 10 days.
2. The ointment should not get on the mucous membrane. If it is used on the skin, only the affected areas are covered.
3. Before applying the cream, sore spots are treated with an antiseptic.
4. The patient should drink a lot of water. Spicy, sour and fatty foods are excluded from the menu.
5. Treatment with Acyclovir should be started at the onset of viral stomatitis.

The medicine can be used not only for treatment. It is used to prevent disease. Strong immunity copes with the disease faster. The dosage of the drug for a preventive course can only be determined by a professional doctor.

Acyclovir ointment for external use

For external use, Acyclovir is available in the form of an ointment or cream, the percentage of the active active substance Acyclovir is up to 5. Tubes are available in volumes of 2, 5, 10 g. The product is applied to the rash in a thin layer, without rubbing it into the epidermis, as a rule, the prescribed frequency of application is 5 times a day.
The duration of treatment is prescribed by the attending physician and ranges from 5 to 10 days. Treatment begins at the first symptoms:

• Itching at the site of inflammation;
• Painful sensations;
• The appearance of the first bullae;
• Feeling of skin tightness and burning.

The end of treatment should occur no earlier than 2 days after the inflammation disappears.

If any allergic reactions occur, the drug should be discontinued and consult a doctor to prescribe another drug.

Acyclovir in ointment form is not prescribed to persons:

• Pregnant women;
• Breastfeeding women.

It is permissible to prescribe treatment using Acyclovir ointment for a pregnant woman, provided that the benefit to the mother's health will be significantly greater than the risk to the health of the child.

Contraindications for the medication

In general, patients tolerate Acyclovir well. In some cases, side effects may occur:

• allergy;
• nausea;
• diarrhea;
• headache;
• general weakness.
• liver diseases.

Treatment of stomatitis with Acyclovir is strictly contraindicated:

• pregnant women;
• elderly;
• with renal failure;
• blood diseases.

Stomatitis can be classified as a disease that tends to recur. Even if a person is completely cured, there is always a risk of it coming back. Therefore, such a drug should always be in your home medicine cabinet. In addition, in order to minimize the recurrence of the disease, it is necessary to maintain hygiene and keep the oral cavity clean. It is advisable to give up alcohol and tobacco. Proper nutrition will strengthen the immune system, which will protect the body from stomatitis.

When is Acyclovir prescribed and when should the drug not be taken?

The drug is prescribed for diseases caused by certain types of herpes infection. These include cytomegalovirus, shingles, severe cases of chickenpox, as well as viruses types 1 and 2, Epstein-Barr. Stomatitis occurs due to the activation of the herpes simplex virus type 1 and manifests itself in lesions of the oral mucosa and the skin around it. Children of any age can take the drug.

With great caution, Acyclovir is prescribed to a child with diseased kidneys, as well as with neurological disorders. How to use the medicine in these cases is decided only by the doctor based on the severity of the current diseases.

Inflammation in the mouth

There are several reasons why gums may become inflamed:

1. Stomatitis of various forms, caused by viruses and bacteria, affecting the gums and tongue. All diseases are accompanied by redness of the oral mucosa. Bubbles appear that can ulcerate; the white wound formed on the gum has an oval shape with red edges. Stomatitis is accompanied by low-grade fever and enlarged lymph nodes. The cause of development is an infection that penetrates through scratches and cracks in the gum. Provoking factors include poor oral hygiene, weakened immunity, and smoking. Signs of the disease may appear after a course of chemotherapy, due to hormonal changes. Stomatitis is often found in HIV-infected people. The disease can occur as an allergic reaction; food products or medications can be provocateurs. Herpetic stomatitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus. Aphthous develops in the absence of treatment or is a complication of another form of the disease, characterized by multiple lesions of the gums. The fungal form is caused by a fungal infection and is often found in people who wear dentures.
2. Ulcerative gingivitis is a rare form of gum disease, most often diagnosed at the age of 18-30 years. Predisposing factors are multiple caries, tartar and plaque, and incorrectly fitted orthopedic structures. The course of the disease is acute, with fever, headache, and sleep disturbances. In this case, the gum tissue is painful, swollen and bleeds at the slightest mechanical impact. Limited areas of the gums become covered with ulcers.
3. Inflammation can develop if mechanical damage to the gums turns out to be deep, and antiseptic treatment was not carried out. In such cases, the scratch becomes inflamed due to infection. Without treatment, the inflammation develops into an acute form of gingivitis.

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Catarrhal gingivitis

Indications for use

Acyclovir is a medicine that is suitable for use by both adults and children. It is noteworthy that it is not advisable to give it to children under 3 years of age - the effect of this drug may not have the most positive effect on their health. Otherwise, the indications for use are as follows:

• Acyclovir is suitable for systemic treatment in children with primary as well as recurrent lesions of the skin and mucous membrane;
• The infection for which the drug is used can be caused by the herpes simplex virus, herpetic diseases in immunodeficiency, as well as the treatment and prevention of herpes zoster and chickenpox, as mentioned above;

For proper use, it is advisable to strictly follow all instructions included with the ointment or tablets.

• It is allowed for use only by patients with no severe renal dysfunction, diseases of the hematopoietic system, and no hypersensitivity to this particular drug;
• It is recommended to be used specifically for the herpetic form of stomatitis in children, and for severe forms it is allowed for use in children under one year of age. Although acyclovir is available in tablets, reviews say that the fastest effect is achieved precisely thanks to acyclovir in the form of an ointment, because in this way it comes into direct contact with the lesions.

Use during pregnancy

The use of acyclovir to treat stomatitis is possible during pregnancy. As a result of the studies, no effect on the formation and health of the fetus was revealed at any stage.

When taking acyclovir during breastfeeding, the active substances of the drug pass into breast milk. When breastfeeding, a child can receive a dose of the drug up to 0.3 mg/day. Therefore, a drug for the treatment of stomatitis in nursing mothers is prescribed only as a last resort (for example, as systemic therapy for HIV).

Side effects and overdose

The instructions for use state that Acyclovir sometimes causes the following side symptoms:

• pemphigus;
• angioedema;
• itching and burning of the skin;
• conjunctivitis;
• diarrhea;
• pain in the stomach;
• gagging;
• weakness;
• headaches;
• sleep disorders;
• increase in body temperature;
• alopecia.

Too much medication causes nausea.
An overdose of Acyclovir is possible if the patient takes the medicine in tablet form or if the cream accidentally ends up in the gastrointestinal tract. In this case, patients complain of the following side symptoms:

• neurological disorders;
• headaches;
• attacks of nausea;
• impaired renal function;
• convulsions.

What can be added to the treatment?

Herpetic stomatitis develops against the background of reduced immunity. Therefore, in addition to Acyclovir tablets, immunomodulators and vitamins B, C, PP should be included in the drug course of therapy. To speed up the regeneration of damaged tissues, it is recommended to apply Solcoseryl dental paste or sea buckthorn oil to them.

Since Acyclovir cannot be applied to the mucous membrane, vesicles in the mouth can be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. They will help prevent secondary infections and prevent the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.

Patients' opinions

Those who have already tested Acyclovir ointment on their children leave the following reviews about it:

• We got acquainted with the drug recently - our son was diagnosed with developing stomatitis. Immediately after the clinic, I purchased Acyclovir (we were recommended eye ointment) and began treating aphthae. The pain in the child’s mouth went away very quickly. The only thing is that the son complained about the unpleasant taste, but for the sake of recovery this trouble can be endured;
• children fell ill with chickenpox within one day of each other. The eldest daughter immediately began treating her skin with Acyclovir, but the younger daughter flatly refused such manipulations - she staged such “concerts” that she had to give in. I didn't notice any difference. True, the eldest had a day less rash, but as for me, this is not a very significant argument, because in general the disease progressed the same way, and in both of them it was complicated by bronchitis;
• It would seem like a cheap remedy, but the effect is amazing. Thanks to Acyclovir, my daughter’s chickenpox went away almost unnoticed - the rashes did not last long, she did not complain of any particular itching, and there were no scars or marks on the skin. She also treated herpes on her lips. Now this ointment is always in my medicine cabinet;
• when a quarantine was announced in kindergarten due to chickenpox, I lubricated the child’s skin with Acyclovir for prevention. But this did not help - he still got sick;
• The baby had some kind of special sore throat. For her treatment, we were not prescribed antibiotics - only three percent Acyclovir ointment (for treating the tonsils) and the same tablets. To my surprise, everything went away;
• My one-year-old son's eyes have been sour for a long time. They tried everything - herbal decoctions, antibiotic drops, they even recommended piercing the tear duct. And so we got an appointment with an ophthalmologist - an elderly, experienced woman. She recommended putting Acyclovir in the eyes. Within a week there was no trace left of the purulent discharge.

We suggest you familiarize yourself with How to treat oral stomatitis in children.
Acyclovir ointment can be used by children of any age. But at the same time, parents should be aware that children's skin is very sensitive to the effects of various external medications. This is especially true for infants, whose bodies adapt to the external environment, and such chemical interference in these processes can lead to unpleasant consequences.

How to quickly get rid of stomatitis

Stomatitis is a rather unpleasant disease and, depending on the form, as well as the patient’s immunity, can last from five days to two weeks.

And only correct and timely diagnosis of the cause will allow you to get rid of stomatitis as quickly as possible.

Treatment is approached in a comprehensive manner, so therapy should include both local and general methods. Local therapy is primarily aimed at reducing pain, swelling and redness of the mucous membrane, and disinfecting wound surfaces. General treatment is aimed at eliminating systemic manifestations such as hyperthermia, loss of appetite, general weakness, that is, its main task is to increase the patient’s immunity.

Differences in dosage forms

1. Excipients. Ointment for external use is made based on lipids from poultry fat. Tablets - based on potato starch. The cream and ophthalmic ointment have a petroleum jelly base.
2. Contraindications. Tablets containing acyclovir are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, because has a teratogenic effect. Soft forms are allowed to be used during these periods. Do not wear contact lenses while using eye ointment.
3. Mode of application. The tablets are taken orally, maintaining the integrity of the shell, with 200 ml of liquid. The time of use does not depend on meals. Eye ointment is placed in the form of a 10 mm long strip behind the lower eyelid 5-6 times a day with a 4-hour break. Treatment lasts until signs of the disease disappear plus 3 days. External agents for the treatment of affected areas of the skin are used according to the same scheme.
4. Side effects. The use of tablets can cause: dizziness; discomfort in the intestines, loose stools, vomiting; urticaria, skin itching; fatigue, fever; hair loss. Local use of drugs can lead to burning, itching, tingling, and dermatitis.
5. Storage. The eye ointment is stored for 30 days from the moment of opening. Store tablets and products for external use according to the expiration dates on the packaging.
6. Conditions for dispensing from pharmacies. Acyclovir tablets are available from pharmacies with a prescription.
7. Price. Domestic cream can be purchased from 32 rubles, ointment from 15, eye ointment from 140, tablets from 30. Foreign analogues will cost 2-4 times more.

Products for external use with acyclovir are considered the safest. The active component does not enter the bloodstream and does not have a centralized effect.

The treatment regimen with creams and ointments is suitable for patients of all ages.

The drugs are prescribed for the treatment of keratitis and blepharitis, and other external manifestations of diseases caused by herpes viruses. These dosage forms are sold without a prescription.

The tablets are available with a prescription, because... have a systemic effect and have a lot of contraindications. Contraindicated for pregnant and lactating women. Children are allowed from 2 years old.

The bioavailability of tablets is low - only 15–35%. Despite this, the drug has an effective therapeutic effect.

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With long-term treatment with drugs, viruses may develop resistance to them, which will lead to a decrease or loss of therapeutic effectiveness during subsequent treatment. It should be remembered that antiviral drugs are not antibiotics. Self-medication is not recommended. Follow your doctor's recommendations.

How to treat children with the drug

Before using the ointment, you must: thoroughly brush your teeth and treat your mouth with an antiseptic. In this case, the mucous membrane should not be too dry.

First, all existing crusts are removed from the affected areas, then ointment is applied.

The ointment should be applied to both the ulcers and the surrounding border. The dosage is calculated by the doctor, and the specialist also takes into account the compatibility of Acyclovir with other drugs used. For children of the younger age group, a single application per day is sufficient for a course of 5 days.