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Zovirax (U.S.N.L.M.)
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| Dosing/ Zoster | 800 mg q4hr po, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. | |
| Dosing/ Herpes Simplex | 400mg q4hr 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.¹ | |
| Chem Specs | acyclovir | |
| Quantities | 200, 400, 800mg | |
| Cost | 4.00/200mg generic | |
| Class | Acyclovir is a guanine analogue. | |
| Action | The activated form inhibits viral DNA polymerase. Viral thymidine kinase activates acyclovir, so non-infected cells remain unaffected. |
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| Activity | Acyclovir is active against most species in the herpesvirus family. | |
| Usage | Acyclovir is indicated for acute Herpes Zoster and Herpes Simplex keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis. Patients at high risk for recurrent HSV have been kept on low dose (400mg bid ) maintenance for extended periods. |
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| Used for HSV when topical treatment is for some reason impractical. | ||
| Contraindications | Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir. | |
| Pediatric use | > 2 years | |
| Pregnancy | Category B | |
| Steroids are indicated for concurrent or delayed Zoster involvement of the globe. 800mg dosage or 800mg loading dose is considered by some to be a more effective treatment for Simplex. |
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