Acyclovir STELLA 400 mg

Rx

Indications

• Treatment for Herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes, Varicella (chickenpox) and Herpes zoster (shingles).
• Suppression of recurrent Herpes simplex infections in immunocompetent patients.
• Prophylaxis of Herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients.

Dosage

• Primary Herpes simplex infections, including genital herpes: 200 mg five times daily (usually every 4 hours while awake) for 5 – 10 days.
  Severely immunocompromised patients or those with impaired absorption: 400 mg five times daily for 5 days. Renal impairment (CC < 10 ml/minute): 200 mg every 12 hours.
  Children < 2 years old: Half the adult dose.
• Suppression of recurrent Herpes simplex in immunocompetent patients: 800 mg daily in 2 – 4 divided doses (reduction to 400 – 600 mg daily can be tried, dosage > 1 g daily have also been used. Interrupt every 6 – 12 months for reassessment.
• Prophylaxis of Herpes simplex in immunocompromised patients: 200 to 400 mg four times daily.
  Children < 2 years old: Half the adult dose.
• Chronic suppressive treatment: 200 mg five times daily for 5 days, preferably initiated during the prodromal period.
• Chickenpox: 800 mg four or five times daily for 5 to 7 days.
• Renal impairment:
  CC < 10 ml/minute: 800 mg every 12 hours;
  CC 10 – 25 ml/minute: 800 mg three times daily every 8 hours.
• Children (≥ 6 years old: 800 mg; 2 – 5 years old: 400 mg; < 2 years old: 200 mg) four times daily for five days.
• Herpes zoster: 800 mg five times daily may be given for 7 to 10 days.

Usage

Acyclovir STELLA 400 mg is orally taken.

Patients who develop hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

• Renal impairment is usually reversible and may progress to acute renal failure.
• Increased serum bilirubin and liver enzymes, haematological changes, skin rashes (including erythema multiform, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis), fever, headache, dizziness; nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. Anaphylaxis. Hepatitis and jaundice have been reported rarely.

• Elderly patients and patients with renal impairment are at increased risk of developing neurological side effects and should be closely monitored.
• Pregnancy (only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk).
• Nursing mother (only when indicated).