How does Acyclovir work?
About 90% of the inhabitants of our planet are carriers of the herpes virus. However, it only appears in some people. The “dormant” virus in the body becomes active due to prolonged exposure to cold, decreased immunity, stress, and illness. Antiviral drugs help normalize the condition of patients. The most effective among them is Acyclovir, which is an analogue of thymidine nucleoside. The drug is used against herpes during an exacerbation and:
- prevents the formation of rashes (bubbles);
- reduces the risk of complications;
- relieves pain;
- promotes the appearance of crusts in place of bubbles.
The biological availability of the drug ranges from 15 to 30%. It spreads quickly throughout the body, is processed in the liver and is excreted in the urine a few hours after use.
The doctor recommends the dosage of the drug and the treatment regimen, based on the nature of the disease, age and the presence of concomitant diseases (primary infection usually involves the use of significant doses of the drug).
Acyclovir is available in the form:
- ointments for herpes on the lips, packaged in tubes (the concentration of the active substance is 5%);
- cream sold in tubes (the concentration of the active substance is 5%);
- tablets for herpes on the lips (mass fraction of the active substance is 200, 400, 800 mg).
Symptoms of cold herpes on the lips
Know! Herpes on the lips during a cold looks like small ulcers.
At first, such rashes look like small blisters, but over time they increase in size and turn into sores. In the first 1-2 days they may not be there, but in their places areas of redness that itch will already form.
The bubbles that appear are initially filled with a clear liquid, which takes on a grayish tint within two to three days.
During this same period, these sores begin to hurt, and when you touch them or try to squeeze them out, the pain intensifies.
By the fourth day, the blisters begin to burst, and ulcers form in their place.
By the end of the first week, such sores begin to subside , and for many people, these manifestations of herpes disappear without any treatment.
But it’s better to start using antiherpes ointments before the blisters begin to burst. This will prevent the spread of herpes throughout the face and speed up the maturation process.
Ointment and cream
Acyclovir ointment and cream for herpes are used for the external treatment of manifestations of the disease and differ in composition. Ointments are made on a fatty basis (vaseline, lanolin), while the cream has less fat content, which allows it to be absorbed faster.
The choice of one or another form of the drug is made depending on the place of application. So, for herpes on the lips, Acyclovir is used in the form of an ointment that not only fights viruses, but also has a moisturizing effect. This prevents the appearance of poorly healing wounds and speeds up recovery.
Cream is used in the treatment of genital herpes. It instantly penetrates the skin and does not spoil underwear.
The methods for using Acyclovir cream and ointment for herpes are the same. The product is applied to the skin, and a certain sequence is followed when applying it.
Before starting the procedure, wipe the affected area with a cotton swab soaked in heated water - this cleanses and prepares the skin. Then a thin layer of ointment or cream is applied to the skin (treatment is carried out every four hours). To avoid transferring the virus to healthy tissue, use cotton swabs and disposable gloves.
Treatment with Acyclovir for herpes continues for a week (a decrease in symptoms occurs on the second day). If the ulcers do not heal, treatment is extended to 10 days.
Release form: tablets and ointment
Acyclovir is available in the form of tablets and ointments .
The choice of dosage form depends on the severity of the disease .
Tablets containing 200, 400 or 800 milligrams of the active ingredient are prescribed for mild illness and are effective only in the initial stages .
The ointment is packaged in tubes of 2, 5, 10 and 20 grams.
Since when using an ointment, the stage of absorption into the blood is bypassed and acyclovir directly penetrates into areas affected by the virus, Acyclovir ointment is most preferable for complicated colds.
Experts do not recommend using tablets to treat herpes on the lips: this form does a better job of treating the genital form of the disease.
The ointment, in turn, not only begins to act faster, but also, thanks to the additional components in the composition in the form of fat and petroleum jelly, it also has a moisturizing effect and also promotes pain relief.
Ointments can also be used as a prophylactic.
This happens in cases where, due to the characteristics of the body’s reaction to weakened immunity, the herpes viruses in a particular patient are activated every time they have a cold.
Pills
Acyclovir tablets are used in the treatment of pathologies that develop as a result of infection with various types of herpesvirus, including colds on the lips, shingles and genital herpes. The main advantages of the tablet form of the drug are high efficiency at the initial stage of the disease and relatively low cost.
Once in the human body, the active substance of the drug penetrates the affected cells, integrating into the DNA of viruses and blocking their reproduction. A course of treatment with the drug allows you to achieve the following results:
- accelerate the healing of ulcerations;
- prevent the appearance of new rashes;
- eliminate pain, itching, redness.
In some cases, Acyclovir is used to prevent herpes.
How to take Acyclovir tablets?
It is quite natural that any drug should be taken according to the rules. To achieve positive results for herpes, use the following treatment regimens (they are described in the instructions for use):
- In adults, treatment for herpes that appears for the first time is 200 mg of the drug 5 times a day. The duration of treatment is five days. In the presence of immunodeficiency conditions, the dosage increases to 400 mg at a time. Treatment of herpes zoster - 800 mg of the drug every four hours during the day.
- Prevention of herpes in adults - Acyclovir 200 mg four times a day. It is possible to change the regimen: 400 mg of the drug twice a day.
- Treatment of primary herpes in children - 200 mg four times a day. The course of treatment is five days.
Take the medicine after meals - this reduces the load on the stomach. It is not advisable to take Acyclovir tablets on an empty stomach.
Taking Acyclovir for children under three years of age is strictly contraindicated.
Treatment of herpes in children
Usually they try not to prescribe medications for herpes to children: they are justified only if there is a serious threat to life and health. Often such cases are associated with organ transplantation or infection of the child with HIV; The imperfection of the immune system of children gives the virus a chance to cause pathologies. Sometimes doctors resort to drugs in relatively healthy children; a simple infection can be quickly cured at home, but for complex cases a hospital is indicated.
To reduce the chance of getting sick, the baby is shown good nutrition, fresh air, and an appropriate level of physical activity.
If herpes is nevertheless detected on the body, treatment in children with oral medications is rarely carried out.
The simplest and safest remedy is Acyclovir ointment; You can treat rashes with solutions of furatsilin, chlorhexidine, and sea buckthorn oil will speed up healing. Herpes in the eyes is treated with a special Zovirax ointment. If the baby has a fever, it is brought down with Ibuprofen or Paracetamol.
Acyclovir tablets are prescribed to children for chickenpox. At the same time, at the age of 3 to 6 years, 2 tablets 4 times a day are recommended, and for older children the dosage is increased to 4 tablets with the same frequency. The course of treatment is 5 days. The same scheme is followed for herpes zoster. Tablets based on valacyclovir are indicated from 12 years of age in the same dosage as adults, and Famvir and analogues are given only for serious indications due to lack of data.
Side effects
During treatment, side effects may develop. So, when using tablets, the following are not excluded:
- pain in the lumbar region;
- nausea and vomiting;
- disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
- lethargy, drowsiness;
- swelling of the limbs;
- jaundice;
- anemia;
- headache;
- convulsions;
- alopecia;
- allergic manifestations.
If these reactions occur, you should immediately stop using the drug and seek help from a doctor, regardless of whether a cold on the lips or other parts of the body was treated with Acyclovir.
When using an ointment or cream, allergic reactions may develop: itching, redness, peeling of the skin. The consequence of improper treatment of rashes in the intimate area can be vulvitis.
Instructions for use: how to take
- Adult patients and children over 12 years of age need to take 200 milligrams of the drug five times a day (only 1 gram per day). If there are serious immune diseases, the dosage is doubled. The duration of the therapeutic course is five days.
- Children from two to 12 years old can be given 200 milligrams of the medicine four times a day for the same course duration as in adults. If side effects occur in the form of irritation and increased itching, children under six years of age can reduce the dosage by half.
- For prevention purposes, adults only need to take 400 milligrams of the drug twice a day for a week.
- Regardless of age, the ointment is applied to the sores 3-4 times a day (preferably every four hours). On average, the course of treatment lasts from seven to ten days. It is recommended to use a cotton swab for application.
In general, for pregnant women .
But at the discretion of the doctor, acyclovir can be prescribed if the risks to the fetus and benefits to the mother are comparable.
During breastfeeding, only pills are prohibited . The ointment is applied in standard dosages prescribed for adults.
“I get colds very often - I can get sick four times a year.
And every time a cold is accompanied by rashes and ulcers around the mouth .
A few years ago, a therapist advised me acyclovir as an inexpensive and effective drug.
In my case, this remedy helps get rid of cold herpes in an average of 5-6 days , and I don’t feel any side effects.”
Lyudmila Bashakova, Moscow.
“ started getting herpes rashes during a cold I
This symptom itself did not cause me any particular problems, but I was very embarrassed by these sores, so I began to use acyclovir ointment on the advice of my parents.
8 years have passed, and I still use this drug in such cases.
And although in the first couple of days the ointment burns quite strongly , then these sensations no longer appear, and the rash disappears in about a week .”
Oleg Yusupov, Solnechnogorsk.
Analogs
Like any other medicine, the drug has analogues. As a replacement, use:
- Zovirax;
- Vivorax;
- Gervirax;
- Virolex.
Treatment and prevention of herpes with Acyclovir is prescribed by a doctor. Any attempts at self-medication can negatively affect the well-being and health of the patient as a whole.
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Mechanism of action, properties
Acyclovir is the first specific antiviral drug, which was invented back in 1977, and immediately became widely used in the treatment of herpes simplex virus (types HSV-1, HSV-2) and herpes zoster.
The substance acyclovir is a synthetic analogue of purine nucleosides. It has its effect directly in the virus cell, namely by penetrating its DNA. There it breaks the DNA chain and blocks the reproduction of the pathogenic microorganism. At the same time, without damaging the host cell. As a result:
- the spread of the pathogen is significantly reduced;
- the formation of new rash elements is prevented;
- the risk of complications is reduced;
- pain syndrome is relieved;
- the process of crust formation is accelerated.
In vitro activity of acyclovir has been established against the Varicella zoster virus, Herpes simplex (type 1 and 2) and, in higher concentrations, the Epstein-Barr virus. In vivo, the therapeutic and prophylactic effect of acyclovir has been proven against viral infections caused by Herpes simplex.
Read more Instructions for use of Panavir gel - analogues and reviews
If the ointment is applied to intact skin, absorption is minimal. The active substance is not detected in the blood and urine. When the epidermis is damaged, absorption will be moderate. In patients with normal renal function, the concentration in the blood serum is up to 0.28 mcg/ml, in patients with chronic renal failure – up to 0.78 mcg/ml. Excreted by the kidneys (up to 9.4% of the daily dose).
For genital herpes
When affected by herpes simplex type 2, the genitals and their mucous membranes are most often affected. It manifests itself in the same way as on the lips, with itching, rashes and sores, but in the intimate area they cause much more trouble. This is also due to the fact that the ointment is not effective for genital herpes. Instead, some “homemade” remedies are used that have a drying, soothing and healing effect. But they can only alleviate the symptoms. This type of infection must be treated with antiviral drugs in tablet form.
The usual dosage for taking Acyclovir in this case is as follows:
- 10 days – course for rectal infection – take 5 times a day, 0.4 g during or after meals;
- 7–10 days – course for genital infection – 5 times a day, 0.2 g;
- 5 days - preventive course for genital herpes - 0.2 g 2-5 times a day.
Acyclovir tablets against herpes
Despite the huge selection of antiviral drugs, Acyclovir has established itself as the most effective antiherpetic agent. Most doctors give their preference to this drug. Over many years of use, the product has received a huge number of positive reviews from both patients and doctors.
Treatment of herpes with acyclovir is prescribed by a doctor, who determines the required dosage and course of treatment. The tablets must be taken strictly according to the schedule drawn up by the doctor. Even if the symptoms of the disease have disappeared before the end of treatment, you should not stop taking the medicine, since untreated herpes can later turn into a serious complication.
Before starting to take the pills, the doctor must be aware of all chronic diseases and the medications being taken in order to draw up a correct and safe treatment regimen.
Acyclovir in tablet form has the following trade names:
How to take Acyclovir tablets correctly?
Acyclovir tablets should be taken strictly according to the prescribed treatment regimen.
It is very important to start taking the drug at the initial stage of a herpes infection. Taking the drug in tablet form allows the active substance to spread throughout the body in a timely manner.
Basic rules for taking Acyclovir tablets:
- Take 1 tablet with a full glass of water. In general, during the treatment process, try to drink as much clean water as possible, which will protect the kidneys.
- It is best to take the tablets after meals. This will reduce the negative impact on the walls of the stomach. Can be taken with meals.
- The dosage and duration of the course should be prescribed by the attending physician.
- If you accidentally forget to take a pill on time, do not take two at once. It’s better to drink one, and after the required amount of time another.
- In combination with taking acyclovir, it is good to take a vitamin complex.
Side effects
Acyclovir, like all drugs, has certain side effects:
- nausea, vomiting;
- lower back pain;
- disturbances in intestinal function;
- weakness, lethargy, drowsiness;
- painful urination;
- swelling of the limbs.
Acyclovir ointment against herpes
In addition to oral administration of the drug, acyclovir ointment is actively used, which has also received a large number of positive reviews from patients. With frequent relapses of herpes infection, the ointment becomes simply an indispensable remedy for the first symptoms of the disease.
For a more effective effect of the antiviral agent, before applying the ointment, it is recommended to gently wet the affected area with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. The ointment is applied in a thin layer once every 3-4 hours. The recommended course of treatment is 5-7 days. If healing does not occur, you can extend the course of treatment up to 10 days.
Avoid contact with eyes, do not mix with cosmetics, the use of which is strictly prohibited for herpes. It is best to apply the ointment using a cotton swab, then wash your hands thoroughly. This approach is necessary because the virus is highly contagious and can easily be transferred to any part of the body.
Rules that must be followed during treatment of herpes:
- avoid contact of the antiviral agent with the eyes;
- Do not treat mouth ulcers with ointment;
- if the ointment accidentally gets into the mouth, no measures need to be taken;
- When applying the ointment, use gloves or apply the product with a cotton swab.
If herpetic rashes appear near the eye, in this case you should consult an ophthalmologist, since the infection can spread to the mucous membrane of the eye and cause partial or even complete loss of vision.
Acyclovir for external use is available under the following trade names:
