Acyclovir tablets and ointment: instructions

We talk about a cold that has popped up on our lips and immediately remember Acyclovir. This is an immunomodulator belonging to the group of antiviral drugs used to treat herpes types 1 and 2, genital herpes and chickenpox. It contains no toxic elements, it acts selectively - only on the cells of the virus itself, suppressing their reproduction.

Acyclovir-Acri ointment

So, let's start with the fact that herpes does not only occur on the lip; viral diseases affect various parts of the human body. Therefore, Acyclovir is sold in the following forms, each of which has its own indications for use: cream and ointment for topical use 5%, tablets (200 mg, 400 mg, 500 mg), solution for intravenous injection Lyophilisate 250 mg, ophthalmic ointment 3%.

Indications for use

Acyclovir is indicated for the following diseases:

• infectious lesions of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the herpes simplex virus (primary and recurrent genital);
• chicken pox;
• shingles;
• herpetic lesions in children in the first month of life (including intrauterine infection);
• prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in patients who have undergone bone marrow transplantation;
• herpetic lesions of the cornea of ​​the eyes (for eye ointment);
• Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Symptoms of the disease

Before treatment can begin, the disease must be recognized. Stomatitis has a number of symptoms, thanks to which the disease cannot be confused with any other. These include:

• the appearance of swelling of the mucous membrane;
• formation of yellow or white plaque on the mucous membrane;
• enlarged lymph nodes, accompanied by an increase in body temperature;
• constant formation of saliva in large quantities (sometimes, on the contrary, stomatitis is accompanied by increased dryness);
• bad breath.

The photo gives a clear understanding of what stomatitis looks like.

These are general symptoms, but they may have their own characteristics depending on the type of disease:

1. allergic stomatitis is accompanied by the formation of ulcers on the palate, tongue, inner cheeks, and gums;
2. aphthous stomatitis is characterized by the formation of larger yellow spots, up to 1 cm in diameter, with inflamed edges;
3. Herpetic stomatitis can be distinguished by the abundance of small fluid-filled rashes that combine into one large wound. In addition, herpes can cause a general deterioration in health - high fever, weakness and body aches;
4. with candidal stomatitis, a white coating appears on the inner surface of the cheeks and tongue. The cause of candidiasis is poor hygiene or a consequence of antibacterial therapy.

Regardless of what kind of stomatitis the child has, treatment should be prescribed immediately after the first signs of the disease are detected: delay is fraught with aggravation of the situation, which will lead to an increase in healing time. How to treat stomatitis in children in the mouth will depend on the form of the disease and the reasons for its development: treatment methods in each case will be unique.

Doses and method of administration

Dosage of the drug Acyclovir

Dosage

The dosage depends on the disease and the severity of its course.

• Hepatic infection of the skin and mucous membranes involves prescribing 200 mg of medication to children and adults 5 times a day at an interval of 4 hours, interrupted by sleep (8 hours). Duration of therapy – 5 days.
• When preventing influenza or ARVI, Acyclovir is prescribed 4 times a day, 200 mg every 6 hours.
• As a complex therapy for severe immunodeficiency, the drug is taken at a dose of 400 mg 5 times a day.
• Chickenpox in children and adults whose body weight exceeds 40 kg requires taking the medicine 800 mg 5 times a day. Children over 2 years of age with a body weight below 40 kg take the drug at a rate of 20 mg per kilogram of weight 4 times a day for 5 days.
• Treatment of herpes zoster involves taking Acyclovir for children over 6 years of age and adults, 800 mg every 6 hours for 5 days. Children from 2 to 6 years old take the medicine 400 mg 4 times a day, and children under 2 years old receive it 4 times a day 200 mg.

How to use Acyclovir

The method of use of Acyclovir depends on the form of release. The tablets are swallowed without chewing, regardless of food intake, with plenty of water. Apply the ointment and cream using a cotton swab to the affected areas in a thin layer 5 times a day (every 4 hours plus a night break). The lyophilisate (intravenously) must first be diluted to the desired concentration. Eye ointment is applied in a 1 cm strip behind the lower eyelid 5 times a day after 4 hours.

Acyclovir ointment

Acyclovir ointment and cream are intended for external use, and application to the surface of the mucous membranes (nasal and oral cavities) is not recommended, but not contraindicated. It is necessary to remember some rules for applying medications to the mucous membrane and consult a doctor!

Herpetic rashes in the oral cavity are localized on the palate, inner sides of the cheeks and lips. As for the nasal cavity, herpes sores appear both in the vestibule of the nose - the thin skin inside the nose - and on the mucous membrane, which is located 1.5-2 cm from the edge of the nostril. If herpes appears on the lip or on the eve of the nose, then the application technique is the same as for the rest of the face and body - on cleansed skin 5 times a day, every 4 hours, with a break at night.

As for the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, due to the fact that drool and mucus interfere with the penetration of the drug and, at the same time, contribute to the spreading of the ointment over the mucous membrane, which reduces the effectiveness of the drug, the most correct decision would be to switch to the tablet form of Acyclovir. Also, do not forget that the mucous membrane is a very thin tissue, which means that the development of allergic reactions is stronger and more pronounced.

Acyclovir cream

If the ointment still needs to be applied, then clean the oral or nasal cavities before using Acyclovir. It is advisable to rinse them with saline solution or other rinsing or rinsing agent, and then blot the surface with a gauze pad or cotton ball. Then apply a small amount of cream or ointment pointwise. There may be a burning sensation and pain. If they pass, then apply the remaining cream or ointment. If the pain intensifies, then this is an allergic reaction, and the use of the product must be stopped. Remember that the cream and ointment will enter the esophagus through the oral cavity; in small quantities this is not dangerous, but it is better to use another form of Acyclovir.

Pharmacological action of the drug -

Acyclovir itself is not an active substance. Acyclovir acquires its antiviral activity only after it enters virus-infected cells, in which (under the influence of the enzyme “viral thymidine kinase”), acyclovir is converted first into acyclovir monophosphate, and then into acyclovir triphosphate. The latter is already an active component, which suppresses the reproduction of the herpes simplex virus - by incorporating acyclovir triphosphate into the viral DNA.

When will acyclovir be effective?

The use of acyclovir will give a pronounced effect only if several conditions are met. Firstly, if you started using the drug - during the prodromal period of the development of a herpetic infection (i.e. when there are no actual clinical manifestations yet, but there is already a burning, tingling or distension of tissue - in places where herpetic blisters will soon appear). Secondly, the effectiveness will be high even if therapy is started - within the first 12 hours from the moment the rash appears. By starting treatment this early, it is possible to reduce the duration of herpes symptoms by approximately 20 to 50%.

If the use of acyclovir begins from 12 to 72 hours (from the moment the rash appears), then its effectiveness will be very moderate. If more than 72 hours have passed and/or the herpetic blisters have already opened, acyclovir will not have a significant effect on the course of the disease at all. But when prescribing antiviral drugs (this applies to both creams and tablets), it is also important to take into account the potential risk of resistance of your herpes virus to acyclovir. All of the above is true for both tablets and Acyclovir ointment.

Important: with Acyclovir cream for the treatment of herpes on the skin or red border of the lips - everything is quite simple, and the main thing is to observe the correct timing of the start of therapy. But for acyclovir tablets for oral administration, it is also important to choose the correct dosage. Recent clinical studies (source) have shown the ineffectiveness of systemic therapy - using the basic standard dosage of acyclovir (200 mg 5 times a day, for 5 days). And below we will tell you what dosages are now recognized by the medical community as effective.

Resistance of the herpes virus to acyclovir -

In patients with good immunity, resistance to Acyclovir is rare - approximately 1 to 3% of cases. However, there is a clear relationship: the risk of developing resistance to acyclovir is directly proportional to the frequency and duration of its use. Resistance occurs especially often - 1) in immunocompromised patients who in the past regularly used drugs with acyclovir for treatment or prophylactic purposes, 2) in patients with HIV infection, 3) in patients with a history of bone marrow transplantation.

In the above groups, resistance can range from 7 to 27%, and according to some sources, even reach 30-36%. If any of the above applies to you, then you should not waste precious time taking acyclovir, choosing its stronger analogues. We are talking about antiviral tablet drugs based on Famciclovir or Valaciclovir. If we are talking about the form in the form of a cream (for external use), then it is better to use Fenistil-Pentsivir cream (contains penciclovir).

Can chickenpox be treated with Acyclovir?

Acyclovir can help fight chickenpox

In the instructions for use of Acyclovir, chicken pox (varicella zoster), or simply chickenpox, appears among the indications for use. Acyclovir actively fights it, but it all depends on the immunity of the individual person and the nature of the disease. For moderate and severe forms of chickenpox, Acyclovir is prescribed both in the form of tablets and as a cream or ointment. For adults, the drug is prescribed at an early stage of the disease, and for children under 12 years of age - only in case of intolerance to the painful condition or in severe cases of the disease. The dosage regimen is as follows: adults are recommended to take 1-2 tablets of 400 mg each. every 4 hours 3-5 times a day. The pediatric dose is half the adult dose, and the time interval between doses is increased by 1 hour, but not more than 4 times a day. Cream or ointment is applied pointwise to affected areas up to 5 times a day. If the mucous membranes of the eyes are affected by chickenpox, in this case an eye ointment is used, placed behind the lower eyelid up to 5 times a day. Acyclovir is used for 5 days, but the attending physician may make adjustments to the therapy.

Acyclovir ointment: instructions for use

Let's now figure out what Acyclovir ointment or cream helps with. This drug can only be used externally, and indications for its use:

• infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the herpes simplex virus (types HSV-1 and HSV-2), i.e. First of all, this is herpes on the lips and skin around the mouth, as well as as part of complex therapy for the treatment of genital herpes.

We have already said above that the key to the effectiveness of treatment with acyclovir is the earliest possible start of using the drug (24stoma.ru). For example, in the prodromal period (when the feeling of itching and bloating is just beginning to appear), or during the first 12 hours from the moment herpetic blisters erupt. If acyclovir ointment or cream is started to be used only after 48 hours or even after the herpetic blisters have opened, this will not reduce the duration of symptoms at all.

Application regimen - the effective concentration of acyclovir for the treatment of herpes of the lips and facial skin is 5%. It is very important to strictly follow the application regimen. For acyclovir ointment, the instructions for use state that the drug should be applied to the skin and red border of the lips 5-8 times a day (i.e., preferably every 2 hours while you are awake). The cream is applied in a thin layer to the areas of herpetic rashes and the adjacent skin - with careful massaging movements. The usual course of use is 5-6 days, but with severe clinical manifestations - up to 10 days.

How to choose ointment or cream with acyclovir –

Please note that acyclovir ointment and acyclovir cream differ in their properties. The ointment is absorbed much less well, which means the acyclovir contained in it will penetrate much worse into the skin cells affected by herpes, which reduces the effectiveness of the drug. The ointment is much cheaper to produce (than cream), and therefore 5% acyclovir ointment - the price starts from only 35 rubles.

The disadvantage of Acyclovir is also its rather poor penetration through the stratum corneum of the epidermis of the skin. To increase skin permeability to acyclovir, a number of manufacturers add propylene glycol to the composition. This component is added to the original acyclovir preparations - Zovirax cream and Zovirax Duo-Active cream, as well as to generics - Acyclovir-Belupo, Acyclovir-Sandoz and the Russian ointment Acyclovir-Acri.

If we compare the effectiveness of cream and ointment with the same 5% concentration of acyclovir, then the effectiveness of the cream will be higher. The cream tends to be absorbed faster, which means that acyclovir will better penetrate from the cream into the skin cells affected by the virus. Zovirax cream also contains dimethicone (silicone), which allows even cosmetics to be applied immediately after the cream is absorbed. On the other hand, Acyclovir-Acri 5% ointment will cost you only 40 rubles, and Zovirax cream will cost you 190 rubles. By the way, dimethicone is also included in the Acyclovir-Sandoz cream, which costs from 150 rubles.

Zovirax or Acyclovir: which is better? So, Zovirax cream is certainly better - when compared with Acyclovir Acri or similar drugs from other manufacturers. In addition to the classic Zovirax cream, which contains 5% acyclovir, propylene glycol and dimethicone, there is also Zovirax Duo-Active cream (it additionally contains 1% hydrocortisone). For example, if you start using this cream early in the prodromal period, due to hydrocortisone it can reduce the number and size of herpetic blisters that form, and sometimes even prevent their formation.

In our opinion, Zovirax Duo-Active cream is the best option for ointment or cream with acyclovir for herpes on the lips or facial skin. This cream has only 2 disadvantages - the price starts from 350 rubles (only 2 g per tube) and the age limit is up to 12 years. But, if we consider good herpes creams not only based on acyclovir, then Fenistil-Pentsivir (based on penciclovir) is also a very good cream. But the latter is currently temporarily unavailable in pharmacies - most likely due to the re-registration of the drug in Russia.

Is it possible to use Acyclovir for a cold?

Acyclovir can be prescribed for ARVI

Acyclovir successfully fights herpes viruses, but sometimes a therapist prescribes Acyclovir for ARVI. Why? It is no secret that with ARVI and colds in general, the immune system is weakened, and this is fertile ground for the manifestation of herpes, which, against the background of the same ARVI, does not alleviate the situation. Although Acyclovir is ineffective in the fight against viruses that cause respiratory diseases, it is used as a prophylactic agent to prevent the development of herpes.

Acyclovir during pregnancy

A pregnant woman's immune system is weakened and may be susceptible to viral infections. Therefore, expectant mothers and those undergoing lactation are asking the question, “Is it possible to use Acyclovir during pregnancy?” According to the instructions, the use of acyclovir during pregnancy is permissible, but with caution. Moreover, this formulation means that use is possible, firstly, only as prescribed by a doctor, and secondly, only when the therapeutic effect is greater than the risk. This applies to all dosage forms. As for the lactation period, the drug passes into breast milk. Therefore, first consult a doctor, and then take the drug. In case of negative reactions, it is necessary to change therapy or stop breastfeeding for a while.

Contraindications to Acyclovir and features of its use -

The drug should not be taken if you are hypersensitive to acyclovir or valacyclovir. Do not use the intravenous route of administration of the drug during breastfeeding. The drug should also not be used in cases of severe renal impairment. Forms of the drug for external use (creams and ointments) cannot be used to treat the mucous membranes of the mouth, eyes, and vagina.

Acyclovir is not effective against influenza and ARVI, because it has no effect on these types of viruses at all. The drug is prescribed with great caution for dehydration and renal failure. When taking tablets, they should be washed down with a full glass of water (regardless of meals, since simultaneous food intake does not affect the absorption of the drug in the intestines). Acyclovir and alcohol: the compatibility of taking antibacterial and antiviral drugs with alcohol consumption reduces the effectiveness of treatment.

Important: taking acyclovir has nuances that are important for patients with gastrointestinal diseases. For diseases that occur with impaired absorption in the gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to either increase the dosage of acyclovir, or (optimally) switch to intravenous administration of the drug.

Acyclovir during pregnancy and breastfeeding -

Acyclovir tablets during pregnancy can only be used as directed and under the supervision of a physician. The drug can be prescribed only if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. But acyclovir ointment or cream during pregnancy (i.e. forms for external use) can be used without a doctor’s prescription.

When breastfeeding - there are no contraindications for using Acyclovir cream or ointment during lactation, i.e. You can use such drugs without a doctor’s recommendation. But with the exception of the drug Acyclovir Duo-Active, which in addition to acyclovir also contains 1% hydrocortisone (here it is advisable to obtain a doctor’s permission).

Acyclovir tablets can be used during breastfeeding, but only as prescribed by a doctor (and here you need to pay attention to some details). For example, according to the instructions, the original drug with acyclovir - Zovirax 200 mg tablets - can be used during breastfeeding, but the Russian tablets Acyclovir-Akrikhin cannot be used in nursing according to the instructions.

There are clinical studies that show that when a breastfeeding woman uses high dosages of tableted acyclovir, the dosage of acyclovir contained in breast milk will be only about 1% of the standard pediatric dosage taken for children (source). This is due to the fact that the baby receives acyclovir orally in breast milk, and acyclovir, in turn, has low bioavailability (only 10 to 20% of the total volume of the drug enters the blood from the intestines). In principle, this should prevent any negative side effects from occurring in breastfed babies, but you should still get a doctor's prescription.

Interaction with other drugs and alcohol

Acyclovir and alcohol

When a doctor prescribes a particular drug, the question arises about compatibility not only with other drugs (more on this below), but also with alcohol. After all, a cold often appears at the wrong time, but plans are made to attend an event where there will be strong drinks. What to do in such a situation? Despite the absence of direct contraindications, alcohol and medicine are incompatible.

It is not recommended to take Acyclovir with alcohol

Firstly, alcohol, by suppressing the activity of leukocytes and the production of antibodies, reduces the body's defenses. Secondly, any drug puts a strain on the liver and kidneys, and alcohol has a similar effect. And when the liver cannot cope with processing, enzymes are released that suppress the action of Acyclovir. That is, the effect of the immunomodulator will be zero. Also, this can provoke intoxication of the body and increase the risk of side effects such as nausea and vomiting; convulsions, disturbances of consciousness; tremors and hallucinations; allergies (itching, skin rashes, urticaria, angioedema); loose stools; anemia; shortness of breath, pain in the sternum, increased heart rate; disorders of swallowing and respiratory functions; cephalalgia, dizziness, drowsiness.

If you suffer from a hangover after drinking, this is not the right time to take Acyclovir. When a hangover occurs, the body is already under stress. Taking the drug may cause a deterioration in your general condition.

Acyclovir and antibiotics

It may happen that Acyclovir is taken at the same time as antibiotics. When treating viral diseases, simultaneous use of antibiotics is not recommended, as they will simply interfere with each other. That is, treatment will be ineffective either from Acyclovir or from another drug. The one-time use of medications will not speed up the patient’s recovery, and the liver will not say “thank you” to you, since it creates an additional load, which can lead to negative consequences. In exceptional cases, as prescribed by a doctor, a one-time dose is possible, but it is associated with risks. Be sure to consult with your doctor.

Ointment, cream, tablets Acyclovir: reviews

Acyclovir is one of the first antiviral drugs.
Of course, this is not the best antiherpetic drug, but in principle it works well in children, as well as in adults who have not received long-term regular treatment with acyclovir in the past (especially against the background of reduced immunity, since in this case one can expect the development of virus resistance herpes to acyclovir). In addition, for Acyclovir tablets, reviews will be good only if you start taking them early (the same applies to ointment and cream forms). Clinical studies have shown that the best treatment results are achieved when patients begin to use acyclovir, either in the prodromal period or in the first 12 hours from the onset of herpetic eruptions.

It makes sense to start using acyclovir cream or ointment only during the first 48 hours from the moment of illness, until the herpetic blisters burst (after this point, use will no longer speed up recovery). As for tablets with acyclovir, you can start using them no later than 72 hours, but you need to keep in mind that the later you start taking them by the end of this period, the less the result of treatment will be.

The main disadvantages of the drug Acyclovir are:

1) Low bioavailability of the drug - it is only 10 to 20% of the amount taken. In this regard, Acyclovir must be taken 5 times a day, which is not very convenient (this applies to both tablet forms and forms in the form of an ointment or cream). Valacyclovir and famciclovir have a bioavailability of 50 to 74%, which is why they usually need to be used only 2 times a day.

2) Poor penetration into the skin - products in the form of ointments or creams for external use have a significant drawback, which is that acyclovir does not penetrate very well through the most superficial layer of the skin (the stratum corneum of the epidermis). This certainly reduces the effectiveness of the drug. Some manufacturers, in order to increase the permeability of acyclovir, add propylene glycol to the ointment or cream.

3) Low tropism of acyclovir to the virus - acyclovir equally penetrates both healthy and cells infected with the herpes virus. If there is a “viral thymidine kinase” (enzyme) in the cell, acyclovir is activated and blocks the reproduction of the virus. However, the problem is that acyclovir has low tropism for viral thymidine kinase, so it may not find it in infected cells. Accordingly, in this case it simply does not convert into the active form of acyclovir-3-phosphate, which blocks the reproduction of the herpes virus.

4) Resistance to the drug - compared to all other modern antiviral drugs - resistance to the herpes virus most often occurs to acyclovir. According to statistics, in people with weakened immune systems, resistance occurs in 7-10% of cases, and in some groups of patients with immunodeficiency conditions it even reaches 27% or more of cases.

5) Intracellular half-life - acyclovir has a very short intracellular half-life (about 1 hour), which leads to a complete cessation of blocking viral replication - immediately after taking the drug. For example, the antiviral drug Penciclovir has a longer intracellular half-life (up to 20 hours), which ensures sufficient clinical antiviral effectiveness for up to 2 days after discontinuation of the drug.

Below you will find information about modern analogues of Acyclovir.

Analogs

Acyclovir analogs

Along with Acyclovir, patients with viral diseases are prescribed Remantadine. Is it possible to take Acyclovir and Remantadine at the same time? What's better? Remantadine prevents the proliferation of viral cells, strengthens the immune system, and is also used as a prophylactic during influenza epidemics.

Indications for taking Remantadine are:

• tick-borne viral encephalitis;
• flu;
• herpes type 1 and 2.

The drug can be used by children aged 7 years and older.

The main purpose of Acyclovir is the treatment of herpes, chickenpox and antiviral therapy. By integrating into the DNA structure of viruses, Acyclovir prevents them from multiplying and developing. If necessary, the medicine can be prescribed to children.

You should not take Rimantadine and Acyclovir at the same time, since both of these drugs are similar. Only the attending physician can accurately determine the required drug and calculate the dosage.

Acyclovir - modern analogues of the drug

Below we will talk about several of the most common tablet analogues of acyclovir, the effectiveness of which is higher, and the resistance of the herpes virus to these drugs is lower. In addition, they have a very convenient dosage regimen. Please note that all tablet drugs discussed below are prescription drugs and should be used only as prescribed by a doctor.

Valacyclovir –

Valacyclovir is a precursor substance to acyclovir, i.e. this drug is converted into acyclovir after it enters the body. The most famous drug in the world based on valacyclovir is Valtrex (manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, UK).

Valacyclovir and Acyclovir: what is the difference? It is the higher bioavailability of valacyclovir compared to acyclovir - 50% instead of only 10-20%. This allows, when taking valacyclovir tablets, to create a very high concentration of acyclovir in the tissues, which, when taking the conventional drug Acyclovir, can only be achieved when administered intravenously. In addition, the high bioavailability of valacyclovir also makes it possible to reduce the frequency of dosing to just 2 times a day.

Dosage regimen - clinical studies have shown that taking high dosages of the drug for 1 day was most effective for the treatment of herpes on the lips, facial skin, and herpetic stomatitis. The dosage regimen is 2000 mg 2 times a day, with an interval of 12 hours (1 day in total), but this regimen is effective if treatment begins no later than 12 hours from the onset of herpetic rashes, and also if you have satisfactory or good immunity.

If more than 12 hours have passed, or you have a weakened immune system, it would be optimal to use the standard treatment regimen: 500 mg 2 times a day for 3-5 days (for severe herpes infection - up to 10 days).

Valaciclovir: price 2022 cost of the original drug “Valtrex” (UK) – from 1350 rubles for 10 tablets. 500 mg each. The drug Valvir (Bulgaria) - costs from 750 rubles per pack of 10 tablets. 500 mg each. The price for Valacyclovir-Akos, produced in Russia, starts from 450 rubles (for a package of 10 tablets of 500 mg). When choosing a drug, keep in mind that if your herpes virus is resistant to acyclovir, taking valacyclovir will also be ineffective.

Famciclovir (Favirox, Famvir) –

Famciclovir is the most effective remedy for herpes, and is a tablet form of penciclovir (penciclovir is also contained in Fenistil-Pentsivir cream for the treatment of herpes on the lips and facial skin). The bioavailability of the drug is about 77%, and the tropism of penciclovir to the virus is at least 2 times higher than that of acyclovir. All this makes famciclovir one of the most effective drugs. Experts consider it even more effective - even compared to valacyclovir.

Dosage regimen - for herpes of the lips, facial skin and herpetic stomatitis, this drug can also be taken for only 1 day. The most effective dosage regimen is 750 mg 2 times a day, with an interval of 12 hours (1 day in total). However, a single dose of 1500 mg of the drug is possible, although clinical studies have shown a slightly worse result of such therapy (compared to the previous regimen). It should be noted that such short regimens will be effective only if taking the drug begins no later than 12 hours from the moment the herpetic rash appears, and also if you do not have a weakened immune system.

If more time has passed, or you have a weak immune system, in this case herpes of the lips, facial skin and herpetic stomatitis are best treated using the traditional full treatment regimen for 5 days. Standard regimen: 250 mg 2 times a day, for 5 days (for severe herpes infection - up to 7-10 days). But I would like to add that numerous clinical studies have revealed the weak effectiveness of this regimen - especially in patients with a poor immune system.

Studies have shown that the effectiveness of therapy increases significantly if famciclovir is prescribed in higher dosages. In patients with good immunity, it is better to use the regimen - 500 mg 2 times a day (for 5 days), and in patients with weakened immunity - 500 mg 3 times a day (for 7 days).

Important: once again we draw your attention to the fact that short one-day treatment regimens for herpetic infections work well - 1) only if you start taking medications no later than 12 hours from the moment the herpetic rash appears, 2) if you have a more or less normal immune system. In patients with poor immunity, short courses of therapy are ineffective, even if treatment is started early. And therefore, in patients with weak immunity, standard full treatment regimens should always be used - preferably famciclovir.

Fenistil-Pentsivir cream –

The drug Fenistil-Pentsivir is the same famciclovir, but not in tablets, but in the form of a cream. Intended for the treatment of herpes on the lips and facial skin in adults and children over 12 years of age. The peculiarity of this cream is that it will be effective even if you do not start using it immediately from the moment the herpetic rash appears (but after a longer time).

For Fenistil-Pentsivir the price will be from 430 rubles (per tube of 2 g). After use, the drug still remaining in the cells will continue to have an antiviral effect for another 2 days. The only drawback is the frequency of application - 8 times a day for 4 days (at 2 hour intervals during the daytime).

But there is an excellent effect, and almost complete absence of the risk of herpes virus resistance to this drug. In addition, the drug contains cetomacrogol and propylene glycol, which facilitate the penetration of penciclovir into infected skin cells. We hope that our article on the topic “Acyclovir - price, instructions for use” was useful to you!

Sources:

1. Higher medical education of the author of the article, 2. National Library of Medicine (USA), 3. The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI, USA), 4. “Modern approaches to the treatment of herpes (HSV) infections in adults” (Khokhlova N.I.), 5. Composition of drugs taken from the official websites of manufacturers.

Preventative treatment

The question often arises of how to prevent such an unpleasant situation as the manifestation of herpes. What should be the prevention? The recommendations are simple:

• Get vaccinated every three years to avoid infection or recurrence of the disease;
• Take acyclovir as a preventive measure when the disease may be triggered. Consult your doctor to determine your risk factors;
• Don't forget about hygiene;
• Strengthen your immune system: lead a healthy lifestyle, eat right and move more.

Acyclovir against herpes