| (A) |
Dosage in Adults: |
| |
For treatment of initial and recurrent Herpes simplex infections of the skin and mucous membranes: |
| |
200 mg Aciclovir should be taken five times per day at approximately four hourly intervals, omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for five days, but in case of severe initial infection, the treatment period may have to be extended. |
| |
In severely immunocompromised patients(e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, the dose can be doubled to 400 mg or, alternatively, intravenous dosing could be considered. |
| |
The first dose should be administered as early as possible after the start of an infection and for recurrent episodes this should preferably be during the prodromal period or when lesions first appear. |
| |
For suppression of recurrent genital Herpes simplex infections in immuno- competent adults: |
| |
A dose of 200 mg aciclovir should be taken four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals. |
| |
Many patients may be conveniently managed on a regimen of 400 mg of oral aciclovir taken twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals. Dosage titration down to 200 mg oral aciclovir taken at approximately eight-hourly intervals, or even twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals may prove effective. Some patients may experience break-through infections on total doses of 800 mg aciclovir. |
| |
Therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months, in order to observe possible changes in the natural history of the disease. |
| |
For prophylaxis of Herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised adults: |
| |
200 mg Aciclovir should be taken four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals. In severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, the dose can be doubled to 400 mg, or alternatively, intravenous dosing could be considered. The duration of prophylactic administration is determined by the duration of the period at risk. |
| |
For treatment of Varicella zoster infections in adolescents (12 to 18 years): |
| |
A dose of 800 mg oral aciclovir should be taken daily for five days. |
| |
For treatment of Varicella zoster and Herpes zoster infections in adults: |
| |
A dose of 800 mg oral aciclovir should be taken five times daily at approximately four-hourly intervals, omitting the night-time dose. Treatment should continue for seven days. |
| |
In severely immunocompromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, consideration should be given to intravenous dosing. Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection: treatment yields better results if initiated as soon as possible after rash onset. |
| (B) |
Dosage in the Elderly:- |
| |
In the elderly, total aciclovir body clearance declines, thus adequate hydration should be maintained. Special attention should be given to dosage reduction in elderly patients with impaired renal function. |
| (C) |
Dosage in Renal Impairment:- |
| |
Dosage should be reduced in renal failure. The following is recommended:- |
ADCO-ACYCLOVIR 200 mg