Information about ZEROVIR

Composition:
Each tablet contains: 200 mg or 400 mg Acyclovir.
Each tube contains: 50 mg (equivelant 5% w/w) Acyclovir.
Dosage:
In Adults:
Treatment of herpes simplex infections:
200mg five times daily at approximately four hourly intervals omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for 5 days, but in severe initial infections this 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 400mg or alternatively intravenous dosing could be considered.
Suppression of herpes simplex infections in immunocompetent patients:
200mg four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals.
Many patients may be conveniently managed on a regimen of 400mg twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals.
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.
Prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients:
200mg 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 400mg or, alternatively, intravenous dosing could be considered.
Treatment of varicella and herpes zoster infections:
800mg 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 of herpes zoster yields better results if initiated as soon as possible after the onset of the rash. Treatment of chickenpox in immunocompetent patients should begin within 24 hours after onset of the rash.
Treatment of initial genital herpes:
200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days.
Dosage in Children:
Treatment of herpes simplex infections, and prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in the immunocompromised:
Children aged two years and over should be given adult dosages and children below the age of two years should be given half the adult dose.
For treatment of neonatal herpes virus infections, intravenous aciclovir is recommended.
Treatment of varicella infections:
6 years and over: 800mg four times daily.
2 to 5 years: 400mg four times daily.
Under 2 years: 200mg four times daily.
Treatment should continue for five days.
Dosing may be more accurately calculated as 20mg/kg body weight (not to exceed 800mg) four times daily.
Dosage in the Elderly:
The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly by a healthcare professional (see Dosage in Renal Impairment below).
Adequate hydration of elderly patients taking oral aciclovir should be maintained.
Dosage in Renal Impairment:
Caution is advised when administering aciclovir to patients with impaired renal function. Adequate hydration should be maintained.
A bout Cream:
Apply sufficient quantity to adequately cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times per day for 7 days. The dose size per application will vary depending upon the total lesion area but should approximate a 1.25 cm of Cream per 25 cm² of surface area. A finger cot or rubber glove should be used when applying Zerovir Cream to prevent autoinoculation of other body sites and transmission of infection to other persons. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible following onset of signs and symptoms. For adolescents 12 years of age and older, the dosage is the same as in adults.
Indications and Usage:
- Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes (excluding neonatal HSV and severe HSV infections in immunocompromised children).
- Acyclovir is indicated for the suppression (prevention of recurrences) of recurrent herpes simplex infections in immunocompetent patients.
- Acyclovir is indicated for the prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients.
- Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) infections.
Cream:
Indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older and for initial genital herpes.
Storage Conditions:
Store below 30°C. Away from light and moisture.
Package:
Carton pack of 20 or 28 tablet in blisters for both strengths 200 mg and 400 mg.
Carton Pack contains aluminum tube of 10g.