Acyclovir ointment from what age for children

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"Acyclovir": instructions for use in children for the treatment and prevention of viral infections

It is impossible to completely protect a child from viruses and infections. Chicken pox lurks in the lives of children in kindergarten, and the herpes virus can live in the body of relatives.

Table of contents:

If the immune system is weakened, children can become infected with lichen even from touching a street cat. Acyclovir is a popular drug in pediatrics against diseases caused by various viruses.

Composition and principle of action of the drug

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug whose action is directed against herpes and viruses related to it in structure. The main substance itself, acyclovir, is inactive, but when introduced into the affected cells, it is transformed into active acyclovir triphosphate. The principle of action of the active element is that it can destroy the DNA of the virus, but is not dangerous to healthy cells of the body.

Excipients give the drug the desired shape and consistency. Depending on the form, the medicine may include: emulsifier, nipazole, lipocomp, nipagin, purified water, lactose, milk sugar, baking powder, binding and anti-slip agents, calcium stearate. Acyclovir is able to accumulate in affected cells, which enhances its effectiveness.

Indications for use of Acyclovir

Acyclovir is available in several dosage forms, which allows it to be used for various diseases. It is used as an antiviral medicine, as a means to relieve unpleasant symptoms of the disease and to prevent recurrent diseases.

Indications for use of Acyclovir:

  • herpes virus types 1 and 2;
  • chicken pox;
  • herpetic stomatitis;
  • shingles;
  • cytomegalovirus infection;
  • prevention of herpes against the background of ARVI or influenza;
  • therapy of patients with immunodeficiency;
  • conjunctivitis of viral origin;
  • herpetic dermatitis;
  • herpes sore throat.

Release forms

However, the way it enters the body determines the scope of application of a particular type of drug. For children, the first three forms of the drug are used.

Pills

Acyclovir tablets are produced in dosages of 200 and 400 mg. They are used in the treatment of stomatitis, herpes sore throat, herpes virus, and in complex therapy of patients with HIV infection. It is recommended to use the tablets for children over 3 years of age. However, if necessary, a specialist can prescribe the drug to younger children.

Take tablets several times a day at regular intervals. They should be consumed immediately after meals. Take the medicine with plenty of clean water. The dosage is determined by the attending physician depending on the degree of the disease and the age of the patient. The duration of use of the drug is usually 5 days.

Cream and ointment

Acyclovir ointment for children has a denser consistency than cream. They are used for chickenpox, herpetic skin rashes, stomatitis, conjunctivitis, and herpes zoster. Apply the product to the affected area up to 5 times a day. The duration of treatment is 5-7 days. The medicine helps relieve itching and inflammation, drying wounds and blisters.

Powder for preparing suspension

Acyclovir powder is used for the preparation of suspensions and intravenous injections. It is used to treat herpes, herpetic diseases of the skin and mucous membranes, and chickenpox. Children over 2 years of age are prescribed to take the suspension orally up to 4 times a day. For children under this age, it is recommended to administer the drug intravenously based on body weight and diagnosis.

Instructions for use for viral infections

The instructions developed by the manufacturer are only general recommendations. Depending on the age of the patient, the severity of the disease and the form of the drug, it may vary. This suggests that the drug should be prescribed by the attending physician in any case.

Herpes, herpetic sore throat and stomatitis

In the treatment of herpes, herpetic sore throat and stomatitis, it is recommended to use Acyclovir tablets. Children over 6 years old should be given the drug 4 times a day, 200 mg, children from 2 to 6 years old - 100 mg 4 times a day. The doctor calculates the dosage for younger patients depending on the child’s weight and the severity of symptoms. For kids, you can crush the tablet and add it to tea or syrup.

The course of treatment for diseases is five days. In severe forms of the disease, the attending physician may prescribe the drug up to 5 times a day. To eliminate rashes on the body and lips, you can use 3% ointment. For stomatitis, the ointment is not used inside the oral cavity; it is used to treat the outside of the lips. Apply the product pointwise to skin pre-treated with an antiseptic.

Chickenpox

Chickenpox in children is treated with Acyclovir in the form of an ointment or cream. In the initial stages of chickenpox, it is recommended to use ointment, as it is more oily. If crusts appear, cream is better. Apply Acyclovir to the affected areas with a cotton swab. Use the drug 5 times a day for a week.

The medicine creates a coating on the infected skin and reduces the likelihood of infection to others. The instructions recommend using the drug for children from two years of age. However, when newborns are infected with chickenpox virus from the mother, it is recommended to administer Acyclovir solution intravenously to the infant.

In case of severe disease and decreased immunity in children, tablets may be used. Medicine for the treatment of chickenpox is prescribed by the attending physician. The dosage of tablets depends on the age of the patient. Patients over 6 years of age are prescribed medication in the amount of 800 mg per day, divided into 4 doses. Children from 3 to 6 years old are prescribed up to 400 mg of the drug per day.

The official instructions for use of Acyclovir do not contain information about the use of the drug for ARVI. However, sometimes doctors prescribe medicine to prevent complications from colds. This is due to the fact that against the background of a weakened immune system, a cold may worsen a herpes infection. The feasibility and regimen of using Acyclovir for ARVI should be clarified with a pediatrician.

The need for use and dosage of the antiviral drug is determined by the attending physician.

Contraindications and side effects

The medicine is usually well tolerated by the child's body. Relative contraindications for the use of the drug include the patient’s renal failure and allergy to one of the components of the drug. Side effects may occur as a result of exceeding the recommended dose. Possible negative consequences of taking the medicine:

  • disruption of the gastrointestinal tract (vomiting, loose stools, nausea);
  • abdominal pain;
  • headaches and dizziness;
  • itching and flaking of the skin;
  • skin rashes;
  • swelling;
  • drowsiness or overexcitation;
  • convulsive state;
  • changes in blood composition;
  • hair loss;
  • dyspnea;
  • the appearance of hallucinations.

If it turns out that side effects are caused by improper use of the drug, they will be eliminated after adjusting the treatment process. If the child has a negative reaction to the medicine, the attending physician will recommend another medicine to the child.

Analogues of the drug

The active ingredient acyclovir is found in many antiviral drugs. They can be found in various release forms. The cost of medicines depends on the country of manufacture and the components included. The dose and duration of taking the drugs are calculated based on the content of the active component in them. The most well-known analogues of Acyclovir are presented in the table:

Acyclovir is effective against recurrent viral infections, but parents can prevent a recurrence of the disease in their child. To do this, it is necessary to take measures to strengthen the baby’s immunity, give timely vaccinations against seasonal diseases and treat the baby for colds; ensure that the child observes the rules of personal hygiene.

I am alarmed by the long list of possible side effects when taking Acyclovir. If the drug is well tolerated by children, then why so many adverse events? Is this another trick by manufacturers?

I remember as a child we always burned the cold sores on our lips with regular triple cologne. Of course, it burned, but it killed the infection well and quickly. Then we bought Acyclovir on someone’s advice and struggled with treatment for more than a week. In the end, we returned to cologne.

Attention! All information on the site is provided for informational purposes only and is for informational purposes only. For all questions regarding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, you must consult a doctor for an in-person consultation.

Source: http://vseprorebenka.ru/zdorove/preparaty/aciklovir-detyam.html

Acyclovir: use in children

Acyclovir does not exist for children, that is, there is no children's drug like, for example, children's nasal drops or children's vitamins. No, this medicine, both for adults and for children, cannot be one or the other, because if it is softened, like that medicine, then it will be of little use. But acyclovir can also be used for children. Children can be given acyclovir from the age of two.

Instructions for use

If your baby is 2 years old, then he can already be given the drug. For example, for herpes they give 200 mg. Medicine 4 times a day. When compared to an adult, this is half the dose, although doctors sometimes prescribe this dosage for adults.

Pediatricians generally love this drug, since it is effective, but still do not prescribe it constantly, since it affects the liver and kidneys. Doctors resort to medication when children often get sick or, for example, with chickenpox. Yes, chickenpox can be perfectly treated with this remedy.

How to use acyclovir ointment for children?

Acyclovir in the form of an ointment can be used for infants. Since chickenpox, or in other words, as written in the instructions, the Varicella zoster virus, is a type of herpetic infection, treatment is quick. It should be used as prescribed by a doctor. You can smear painful areas twice a day, morning and evening, if the baby is very small. If children are over one year old, then the use of the ointment can be increased up to 3 times a day.

Doctors also prescribe intravenous injections for infants, since children under one year old cannot take pills. The ointment will be able to cope with the infection if chickenpox has just begun, if it has begun to progress, then you need to take the medicine inside the body; on the surface it will not help quickly.

Children as young as one year old can take pills, albeit in small doses. Taking acyclovir tablets for children usually occurs according to the following scheme:

  1. You need to find out the baby's weight. A drug is prescribed for one kilogram of body and, for example, if a small person weighs 10 kg, then our dose is 400 mg. You should be given something to drink per day at that weight. Naturally, this dose should be divided into equal parts and given 100 mg each. Every 4 hours. This means that you need to break two acyclovir tablets into four parts, everything is easy and simple.
  2. Accordingly, if the weight is higher, then the dose increases, which is why some children are prescribed the drug in small doses, others in large doses. But they also look at the state of the body as a whole.

In general, it is not so easy to prescribe the drug to children, but if you still need to do it yourself, then use this formula.

Each tablet in the package contains 200 mg. medicine. Convert milligrams to kilograms, we get 0.0002 kg.

Next, take the person’s weight, for example 20 kg * 0.0002 kg = 0.004 kg.

We convert kilograms, namely 0.004 kg into milligrams, we get 4000 mg. Now 4000 mg. We need to divide by hours we get 800 mg. Exactly 800 mg. You need to drink it a day, in general, there is no difficulty, but you need to know for sure that the baby’s kidneys and liver are fine.

Thus, we get that, for example, at just over 2 years old, he should take 200 mg of the drug. per day. So, if you need to independently calculate the dose for your baby, now you will know how to do it.

Release form

Acyclovir is available in different forms in the form of tablets, ointment, cream, and also in bottles and syrup. True, it is difficult to find acyclovir in bottles with exactly the same name. In this case, the synonym for acyclovir Virolex is applicable. One bottle contains 250 mg. drug acyclovir. It is intended for injection or for droppers.

Acyclovir in syrup form for children is also an extremely rare type of medicine. But you can still find it in pharmacies. It is prescribed in the same form as in tablets, that is, the calculation is carried out per kilogram of body.

Side effects

The ointment has almost no side effects; it can be a burning sensation, and then only in very rare cases. A rash may also appear. When used externally, the drug is not absorbed into the blood, does not penetrate the gastrointestinal tract, etc., it acts locally.

In the form of tablets, syrups, and also droppers, the side effects of the drug are much more complex. That is, headache, nausea and even vomiting may occur. Diarrhea and the whole list is simply impossible to continue. In general, as you understand, the drug is prescribed only in the rarest cases, when herpes visits the baby’s body too often.

It is worth noting that if you suddenly decide to use a medicine against a common cold or, for example, the flu, then do not do it, you will once again poison the little person’s body, and you will not get any results. Acyclovir is created only for herpes and its forms, but not for other diseases such as acute respiratory infections.

Good day. Tell me please. We were prescribed intravenous acyclovir; we are in the pathology of newborns, the baby is premature. I asked why. They said that the threat of pvl is most likely due to herpes. I asked, does the child have herpes? They said, well, probably. You probably had one. But I didn’t have anything during pregnancy. In fact, I had a cold once about 10 years ago. Can a baby have herpes?

Source: http://bezstomatita.ru/lekarstva/aciklovir-primenenie-u-detej.html

Acyclovir for children: instructions for use

Acyclovir is a very popular means of combating herpes viruses. Is this drug prescribed to children, can it be used for acute respiratory infections and colds, and how to give Acyclovir tablets correctly?

Release form

Acyclovir is produced in several forms:

  • Pills. They are white in color, have a flat surface and have a ridge. Each tablet contains 200 mg or 400 mg of active ingredient. They are packaged in blisters of 5-20 pieces, and one pack contains from 10 to 100 tablets.
  • Cream for external treatment. It is represented by a homogeneous white mass. The percentage of active substance in this Acyclovir is 5%. One tube can hold 2 g, 5 g or 10 g of cream. Also, the drug can be packaged in jars, from 5 to 50 g of cream in one package.
  • Ointment for external treatment. It has a viscous consistency and a white or yellowish-white color. The concentration of the active component in this form of Acyclovir is also 5%. The drug is placed in aluminum tubes or glass jars, and the weight of the drug in one package ranges from 2 g to 30 g.
  • Eye ointment. It is a yellow or white mass. The concentration of the active substance in this dosage form is 3%. One tube of ointment includes 3 or 5 g of the drug.
  • Powder from which a solution is prepared for injection into a vein. One bottle may contain 0.25 g, 0.5 g or 1 g of active substance. The number of bottles in one package is 1, 5 or 10.

Such forms of medicine as syrup, suppositories or suspension are not produced.

Compound

The main component of any form of medication that ensures its therapeutic effect is acyclovir. Additional substances differ in different types of the drug:

  • In the cream they are represented by petroleum jelly, cetyl alcohol, macrolog, propylene glycol, water and other chemicals.
  • In Acyclovir ointment, the auxiliary ingredients are propylene glycol, water, emulsifiers, nipazole and other compounds.
  • Microcrystalline cellulose, starch, Mg stearate, crosscarmellose Na and other substances are added to the tablets.
  • There are no additional chemical compounds in the injection form.

A practicing dermatovenerologist: Vyacheslav Vasilievich Makarchuk talks about the benefits, principle of action and possible side effects of the drug Acyclovir in the following video.

Operating principle

Acyclovir is an antiviral agent that effectively affects:

  • Herpesviruses types 1 and 2.
  • Varicella Zoster viruses.
  • Epstein-Barr viruses.
  • Cytomegaloviruses.

The drug directly affects the DNA in viral cells, as a result of which the pathogen stops reproducing. Having penetrated the virus cells, the drug breaks the DNA chains and interferes with its replication. At the same time, Acyclovir has almost no effect on the cells of the patient’s body.

The use of such an antiviral medicine prevents the spread of the rash, accelerates the healing of the affected skin, and in case of herpes zoster, reduces pain. Acyclovir also has an immunostimulating effect.

Indications

The use of Acyclovir is indicated:

  • For herpes infection. The medicine is used topically for herpes on the lips, as well as on the genitals. The drug is indicated for herpes sore throat, dermatitis, stomatitis and conjunctivitis caused by the herpes simplex virus.
  • For severe or moderate chickenpox. Acyclovir is recommended to be used for chickenpox in infants up to one year old (for example, at 10 months), since in the first year of life this infectious disease is characterized by a predominantly severe course. The drug is also used for congenital chickenpox.
  • For herpes zoster. This disease, caused by the same virus as chickenpox, most often occurs in old age.
  • For prophylactic purposes, if the child has an immunodeficiency and there is a high risk of infection with pathogens sensitive to Acyclovir.

In addition, the use of Acyclovir is in demand for infectious mononucleosis. For influenza and acute respiratory viral infections, such a medicine is often not used, since it does not act on their pathogens, but can be prescribed for prophylactic purposes in case of a high risk of herpes infection.

At what age is it allowed to take it?

It is permissible to treat a child’s skin with Acyclovir cream or ointment from birth. When indicated, the drug in the form of intravenous injections can be used at any age, including infants. As for tablets, this Acyclovir is given from 1 year of age.

You may be interested in watching the episode of the program of the famous children's doctor Evgeniy Komarovsky, dedicated to the herpes virus in children:

Contraindications

Treatment with Acyclovir is not recommended:

  • If you have hypersensitivity to any component of the drug.
  • With a mild form of chickenpox.
  • For bacterial infections, for example, streptoderma.

In case of dehydration, neurological problems or renal pathologies, Acyclovir should be used with caution. 5% ointment or cream should not be lubricated on mucous membranes.

You may be interested in watching the episode of the program of the famous children's doctor Evgeniy Komarovsky, dedicated to the herpes virus in children:

Side effects

  • Acyclovir has the ability to influence the central nervous system. Taking this medicine may cause dizziness, weakness, fatigue, drowsiness, tremors of the limbs, and headaches. Occasionally, a young patient may experience hallucinations.
  • The child’s digestive system may respond to treatment with Acyclovir with diarrhea, nausea, liver dysfunction, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Many mothers are interested in how to support the liver while taking Acyclovir, but if this organ is healthy in the child, additional medications are not required to support it. If the doctor has detected liver disease, he will also prescribe hepatoprotective medications along with Acyclovir.
  • Taking Acyclovir may cause a decrease in the level of red and white blood cells in the blood, as well as changes in the number of platelets.
  • External use of the drug sometimes causes skin irritation or peeling. Also, an allergy in the form of a rash may occur at the site of lubrication.
  • If the medicine is given intravenously, serious side effects such as kidney failure or seizures may occur. In rare cases, such use of Acyclovir leads to psychosis or coma.
  • Phlebitis may occur at the site of injection of the drug into a vein, and if Acyclovir accidentally gets under the skin, necrosis is possible.
  • Eye ointment can cause conjunctivitis, blepharitis, keratopathy or severe burning when applied to the mucous membrane.

Instructions for use and dosage

Pills

For the treatment of infections caused by herpes simplex viruses, 1/2 tablet is often prescribed as a single dose for children 1-2 years old, and a whole tablet for children over two years old. The drug is taken four or five times a day. It is recommended to take the tablet with plenty of water. The average duration of therapy with Acyclovir is 5 days, but if indicated, tablets can be taken for up to 10 days.

For chickenpox, a single dosage of Acyclovir tablets is often selected individually, since for effective treatment a small child needs to calculate the dose by weight. It is 20 mg of active substance per kilogram of baby’s weight. The calculated dose is given 4 times a day for 5 days.

For example, a 1.5-year-old child weighs 11 kilograms and, according to calculations, a single dosage will be 220 mg, so he is given 1 tablet containing 200 mg of acyclovir. And at 7 years old with a weight of 21 kg, 420 mg of the active substance is required per dose, so the child can be given either 2 tablets with 200 mg of acyclovir, or 1 tablet containing 400 mg of the drug. The maximum single dose is 800 mg of acyclovir.

For prevention, Acyclovir is prescribed in tablets if there is a high risk of herpes infection and low immune defense. The dosage of the medicine is 2 tablets per dose, if the drug is taken every 12 hours, or 1 tablet four times a day.

External means

Acyclovir ointment is carefully applied to the affected areas of the skin, being careful not to smear the drug on clean skin, since the medicine forms a dense film on the surface. The dosage of the ointment is determined by the doctor, taking into account the baby’s weight and the area of ​​his skin. Treatment of the rash begins from the very first days of its appearance, but the medicine is not applied to the skin at night. Treatment often lasts 5 days.

Apply Acyclovir cream with a clean hand or a cotton swab to the affected skin up to 5 times a day. The amount of medicine in this form is determined individually. Skin treatment is prescribed for a period of 5 to 10 days.

Eye ointment is used 5 times a day with pauses between application into the lower conjunctival sac for about 4 hours. A strip of ointment for 1 application is approximately 1 cm long. After recovery, treatment is continued for at least another three days.

Injections

The dosage of Acyclovir for intravenous injections is calculated by body weight (in newborns) or by body surface area (in children over 3 months). The drug is administered at intervals of 8 hours, monitoring kidney function. If tests reveal changes in creatinine levels, the dosage is adjusted.

Often injections are given for five days, but depending on the disease and the patient’s body’s response to treatment, injections may be prescribed for a longer period. For example, for herpetic encephalitis, Acyclovir is administered for 10 days.

Acyclovir injection is a slow infusion over one hour or longer (the medicine is administered by drip). To give an injection, water for injection or sodium chloride solution is added to the powder. Acyclovir can also be combined with glucose solutions.

Overdose

There have been no cases of overdose with topical use of Acyclovir. If you take many tablets of this drug orally, it will lead to neurological disorders, nausea, headaches, shortness of breath, loose stools or vomiting. In severe cases, exceeding the dosage causes renal failure, seizures and coma. Treatment involves symptomatic therapy and measures aimed at maintaining vital functions.

Interaction with other drugs

If you take Acyclovir along with other drugs that have a toxic effect on the kidneys, this will increase the nephrotoxic effect of the treatment.

Terms of sale

To purchase any dosage form of Acyclovir, you do not need to present a prescription from a doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

The storage location for Acyclovir should be dry, protected from direct sunlight and inaccessible to children. The optimal temperature range for storing cream is +12+15°C, and ointment or tablets is +15+25°C.

After the release date of the tablet form, it can be stored for up to 3 years. The shelf life of the cream is 2 years. An opened tube of eye ointment should be used within 1 month.

Reviews

In most cases of using Acyclovir, this medicine receives positive feedback. Parents like the quick effect of the drug and the many dosage forms, and among the disadvantages, side effects such as headaches, nausea or allergies are often noted. Mothers who gave Acyclovir to a child with moderate chickenpox confirm that the medicine effectively helps with fever and severe chickenpox rashes.

Analogs

Acyclovir can be replaced by other drugs that have the same active substance and the same effect. The most popular of these drugs are:

  • Zovirax. This analogue of Acyclovir is produced by a British company in the form of tablets (containing 200 mg of acyclovir), 5% cream, eye ointment with a concentration of the active substance of 3% and powder packaged in bottles for injection.
  • Acyclovir-Acri. This domestic drug is presented as 5% ointment and tablets with two dosages of the active compound (200 and 400 mg).
  • Virolex. This antiviral medication is produced in Slovenia in the form of tablets (containing 200 mg of active substance), 3% eye ointment, lyophilisate for injections, and 5% cream.
  • Cyclovir. This Indian drug is presented as a cream with acyclovir concentration of 5% and tablets containing 200 mg of the active ingredient.
  • Acyclovir HEXAL. This antiviral medicine is produced in Germany in the form of a 5% cream applied externally.
  • Vivorax. This Indian analogue of Acyclovir is available in tablets (each containing 200 mg of active substance) and in external form (5% cream).
  • Acyclovir Belupo. This antiviral drug is produced in Croatia in the form of 5% cream and film-coated tablets containing 400 mg of acyclovir each.
  • Herperax. This is another drug containing acyclovir from India. It is produced both in tablet form (each tablet provides 200 mg of the active compound) and as a 5% ointment.

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Acyclovir for children

Acyclovir is a drug that has an antiviral effect. Available in the form of cream and ointment for external use, eye ointment, and also in tablet form. Acyclovir is usually prescribed to children to treat herpes.

Can acyclovir be given to children?

Acyclovir tablets can be prescribed to children over one year of age, since its effect on the body of an infant has not been fully studied. Children older than one month can be treated with ointment, since it has a direct effect on herpes viruses.

A doctor may prescribe acyclovir if a child has chickenpox. However, children under one year of age rarely get chickenpox. For chickenpox it is used both topically and internally.

Acyclovir ointment for children: indications for use

The ointment has been successfully used to treat herpes simplex viruses, herpes zoster and chickenpox. Acyclovir can be used as a prophylactic against herpes against the background of a general decrease in immunity (for example, after a course of chemotherapy, HIV-infected people).

Acyclovir is not often used to treat children under one year of age, but its toxic effect on the body of a newborn child has not been proven.

Dosage of acyclovir tablets

Tablets are prescribed in the following dosage:

  • children from 1 to 2 years: 100 mg per day (1/2 tablet) for five days every 4 hours;
  • after 2 years: 200 mg (one tablet) 4 times a day;
  • children 2-5 years: 400 mg (two tablets) 4 times a day;
  • children over 6 years of age: 800 mg (4 tablets) 4 times a day.

In especially severe cases, treatment can be extended to ten days. To prevent relapse of the disease, an alternative treatment method can be used: 400 mg of acyclovir every 12 hours. Every six months it is necessary to take a break from treatment to assess the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment.

To treat shingles, a child over 3 years of age is prescribed 800 mg of medication every 6 hours.

Dosage of acyclovir ointment

When determining the dosage of the ointment, it should be based on the child’s weight (no more than 80 mg per kilogram of the baby’s weight, no more than 0.25 grams per 25 sq.cm of damaged skin area). Children over 12 years old - at the rate of no more than 125 mg per 25 sq.cm. The ointment is applied to damaged areas of the skin every 4 hours, with a break at night. The full course of treatment is five days. If the skin rashes have not disappeared completely, you can extend the treatment period for another 5 days.

To treat a generalized infection in a newborn baby caused by the herpes simplex virus, the doctor may prescribe acyclovir every 8 hours at a dosage of 10 mg per kilogram of the child's weight. The full course of treatment is ten days.

Acyclovir eye cream dosage

Acyclovir cream is used to treat viral eye diseases (herpetic keratitis). It is placed in the conjunctival sac at least 5 times a day, taking a break at night. The course of treatment is at least 7 days. After the main symptoms of the disease disappear, it is necessary to continue using the cream for another three days.

During treatment, it is important to increase the amount of fluid your child consumes.

Acyclovir: adverse reactions

Like any medicinal product, acyclovir has a number of adverse reactions, if any of which are detected, you should immediately stop treatment and seek medical help. The following symptoms are noted:

  • nausea;
  • vomit;
  • intestinal colic;
  • rash on the body;
  • increased fatigue;
  • fever;
  • Blood tests show a decrease in hematology parameters.

In especially severe cases, when administered intravenously to children over two years of age, severe adverse reactions may occur.

  • nervous system:

It should be remembered that long-term use of acyclovir can cause addiction in the body, as a result of which the medicine will no longer be sensitive to viral strains. Therefore, if possible, short-term courses of treatment (10-12 days) should be carried out.

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Acyclovir for infants: can it be used?

Herpes infection, including chickenpox, is widespread among the child population. In this regard, the question of its drug treatment depending on the age of the child becomes especially relevant. The most popular drug in the treatment of herpes infections is Acyclovir and its analogues from this group, which have a targeted effect on the reproduction of the herpes virus and prevent the progression of the disease. Prescribing Acyclovir to infants should always be under the supervision of the attending physician due to the risk of developing side effects from the use of the drug.

General information about the drug Acyclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that blocks the assembly and reproduction of the herpes virus inside the body's cells. Available in various dosage forms:

  • tablets of 200 and 400 mg for different age groups;
  • 3% eye ointment;
  • injection solutions;
  • ointment and cream for external use.

Acyclovir is active against many herpetic viruses, including cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus and herpes zoster virus, which is the causative agent of chickenpox in children and adults. Acyclovir is indicated for use in the following diseases:

  • Herpetic rashes in the oral cavity similar to stomatitis;
  • Herpes zoster, characterized by profuse herpetic rashes on the skin;
  • Herpetic lesion of the conjunctiva of the eye with the development of an inflammatory reaction;
  • Common herpes on the lips;
  • Chicken pox, characterized by skin rashes and general intoxication phenomena (fever, weakness, etc.).

Acyclovir should always be prescribed by a pediatrician after examining the child and prescribing additional examination methods.

It is important to note that the use of these drugs by the mother during pregnancy or breastfeeding is also undesirable due to the possibility of indirect penetration of the drug through the placenta or milk.

Use of Acyclovir in infants

Acyclovir in tablet form is contraindicated for children under one year of age, since there are currently no studies showing its safety in this age group. The recommended age for using this drug in tablet form is from 3 years.

However, the use of ointments and creams with Acyclovir is also permitted in infants, since in this dosage form the drug does not penetrate the skin and does not have a systemic effect on the baby’s body. At the same time, the effectiveness of the drug does not decrease, since the therapeutic effect on the focus of the herpetic infection continues to be provided.

How to use Acyclovir in children under one year of age?

The use of Acyclovir tablets in children under one year of age is prohibited, regardless of the existing disease or its severity. In this case, the attending physician must either select an analogue of the drug or choose a different treatment tactic.

Acyclovir ointment can also be used in infants:

  • The dosage is selected based on the rule - no more than 80 mg of ointment per kilogram of infant weight per day. This indicator is used to calculate the amount of ointment in children under twelve years of age;
  • The ointment is used 3-4 times a day, carefully applying it to the herpetic elements, including the elements of the chickenpox rash;
  • It is recommended to use the ointment in the initial stages of the disease, since its penetration through “healthy” skin is difficult and its effectiveness may decrease;
  • After applying the ointment, it is not recommended to wash or bathe the child, as water quickly washes it off the skin;
  • The average duration of treatment with ointment is 5 days. If the rash does not go away after this period, you should consult your doctor.

In addition to ointments, creams containing Acyclovir are often used to treat herpes and chickenpox in children under one year of age. The concentration of the active substance is similar to the ointment, but due to the differences in the composition of the excipients, creams penetrate the skin more easily and are often more effective.

If a child under one year of age develops herpetic conjunctivitis or keratitis (inflammatory diseases of the outer and middle membrane of the eyeball), you can use a special eye ointment containing 3% Acyclovir. Use it as follows:

  • Apply to the mucous membrane of the eye, pulling the eyelid down.
  • This application of ointment is repeated 4-5 times a day for five days.
  • If the symptoms of the disease do not go away, you should consult a pediatrician.

Acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox in infants

Acyclovir is the “gold standard” for the treatment of chickenpox in children of various age groups. As a rule, combination therapy is used in the form of tablets for oral administration and ointments for external use.

Acyclovir blocks the multiplication of the chickenpox virus (Varicella Zoster) and prevents its reproduction and spread among the body's cells. As a result, symptoms become less severe and recovery occurs much faster.

There are certain contraindications to the use of Acyclovir:

  1. Tablet forms of the drug are contraindicated for use in children under two years of age;
  2. Individual intolerance to the components of the drug;
  3. Allergic reactions in the past to taking Acyclovir or its analogues.

Due to these contraindications, Acyclovir cannot be used in infants, since the safety of the drug in this age group remains in question.

The optimal form of treatment for chickenpox in children under one year of age is ointments or special creams containing 5% Acyclovir. It is recommended to apply the ointment pointwise to the skin vesicles formed during chickenpox, and not to touch healthy skin.

This is due to the fact that the ointment forms a dense film on the skin, disrupting metabolic processes through the skin. The dosage of the drug must be selected together with the attending physician. As a rule, for children under one year old it is mg of substance per kilogram of body weight.

The best time to start treatment with ointments and creams is the first day the rash appears on the surface of the skin. Use the ointment 4-5 times a day for five days. It is best not to apply the ointment before bed, since, firstly, the child can simply wipe it off when he tosses and turns in bed, and, secondly, this will allow the skin to “rest” during sleep.

Acyclovir or Zovirax?

Very often, parents are concerned about the question of what to choose to treat their child - Zovirax or Acyclovir? Is Zovirax suitable for infants? Unfortunately, there is only one answer to all these questions - Zovirax is another trade name for Acyclovir, and contains the latter as its active ingredient.

This leads to the main limitation in use - Zovirax cannot be given in tablet form to children under one year of age. But the ointment and cream can also be used for local application to the elements of a herpetic rash.

Zovirax is not more effective than Acyclovir, which comes from the similar action in both drugs. However, the price of these funds may vary significantly.

The use of Acyclovir and its analogues should be under the strict supervision of the attending physician and only as prescribed. These drugs are the optimal means for the treatment of herpetic infections and chickenpox in children under one year of age and in older age groups.

It is important to remember that, like any other medications, Acyclovir and Zovirax have their side effects and can cause a number of specific complications, which is why medical supervision is necessary.

Anton Yatsenko, pediatrician, especially for Mirmam.pro

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Acyclovir ointment for children

Acyclovir ointment is approved for children from two years of age, although in some cases it is prescribed even to infants older than one month. Like adults, children are prescribed:

  • cream 5% for rashes on the face, torso, and genital area. Acyclovir ointment is used less often for chickenpox in children - it is not needed for children with normal immunity;
  • 3% eye ointment for ophthalmoherpes, usually in combination with tablets and other local medications (drops, rinsing solutions, etc.).

There is a difference between the systemic and external use of Acyclovir for children: the ointment is not used for prophylaxis. They begin to use it only when rashes and other symptoms of herpes appear.

Treatment of chickenpox with acyclovir: not everyone needs ointment

In children aged 2 to 12 years with normal immunity, the disease is quite mild: their temperature rises and the body becomes covered with a small itchy rash, which soon goes away on its own.

The drug shortens the disease by an average of a day if therapy is started on the first day of the disease, before the appearance of rashes.

For chickenpox, use Acyclovir ointment (cream) 5%. It is applied to the rash 5-6 times a day; treatment is not carried out at night. Treatment is continued until the blisters burst and crust over (3 to 5 days) and three days after the symptoms disappear.

Sometimes the treated skin tingles, it dries out, tingles and peels. These side effects are not unusual and are not dangerous if they are mild. But if the skin turns red, swells, or general malaise appears (headache, indigestion), the ointment should not be used.

Acyclovir ointment for chickenpox should not be applied to all skin covered with rashes! The skin, especially in a baby, is involved in the respiratory process, so only the most extensive rashes are lubricated. The rest of the skin can be treated with antiseptics, drying solutions or herbal infusions to relieve inflammation and itching.

Dosage and features of use

According to the instructions for Acyclovir ointment for children, the dosage is calculated depending on their weight. It should not exceed 80 mg/kg - 0.25 grams (approximately 1.25 cm) per 25 cm2 of skin. Wherein:

  1. Cream 5% is not used for eye herpes and is not applied to the eyelids - if it gets into the eyes it causes severe irritation.
  2. There is no point in using ophthalmic 3% ointment for fever on the lips, rashes on the face and genitals. It has a gentler effect on the mucous membrane than cream - thanks to the Vaseline it contains, but its concentration is not enough to suppress the infection.

The question of whether children can take Acyclovir ointment usually arises when it comes to very young children. The fact is that in adults, when it is used externally, there is no overdose: the active substance almost does not penetrate into the bloodstream, does not affect the functions of internal organs and does not cause systemic reactions. But babies, especially infants, occasionally experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Such children cannot be treated with Acyclovir.

Acyclovir is not prescribed to children with intolerance to the active substance and auxiliary components and to those with poor kidney function.

When carrying out therapy, you need to carefully monitor the condition of the little patient and ensure that he drinks more water than usual.

Note to parents

For young children, herpes virus infection is dangerous, especially if they are weakened by another disease, often catch colds or have a chronic disease. Therefore, only the pediatrician can decide whether local treatment will be sufficient or whether tablets (injections) are needed.

Long-term use of an antiviral drug leads to the fact that microorganisms “adapt” to the drug and become insensitive to it. That is why treatment is not continued longer. If children do not feel better after a course of Acyclovir ointment, they are prescribed additional examinations and tests. Perhaps they will change the drug or undergo therapy for the underlying disease, which reduces immunity and provokes relapses.

It should be borne in mind that there are no separate instructions for the use of Acyclovir ointment for children. Therefore, parents should rely on the doctor’s experience and follow his recommendations.

Instructions for use of Acyclovir ointment for children do not differ from recommendations for adults. In both cases:

  1. Rashes on the skin and mucous membranes are lubricated every 4 hours with a break at night. The course of therapy is 5–10 days: several days before the papules burst and dry out, and three days after the symptoms of the disease disappear.
  2. Ophthalmic 3% ointment is placed under the lower eyelid (in the lower conjunctival sac) every 4 hours, except at night. Within two to three days, the symptoms disappear, and therapy is continued for another three days. The dosage for children from two years of age and adults is 1 cm of the drug; for infants it is sometimes reduced to 0.5 cm, but is used with the same frequency and the same treatment course.

Children with sensitive skin feel tingling, tingling, and a slight burning sensation at the treatment site.

If the reactions are mild, treatment is continued, but if they are bright and painful, the drug must be discontinued, otherwise the baby will develop allergic dermatitis.

Source: http://mazimed.ru/atsiklovir-maz-detyam/

Can acyclovir be used to treat herpes infection in a newborn?

For infectious diseases caused by the herpes virus, adults are prescribed acyclovir. The product effectively fights the disease. Can acyclovir be given to children under two years of age? In some cases, treatment with the drug is possible when prescribed by a pediatrician and under his supervision.

Form and purpose of the drug

Acyclovir is an antiviral agent, available in the form of tablets with a dosage of 200 and 400 mg, 3% eye ointment, powder for injection solutions, 5% ointment or cream for external use. It is active against cytomegalovirus, herpes and Epstein-Bar, destroying them from the inside, penetrating into the cell. Used to treat diseases:

  • Stomatitis of herpes origin. The drug reduces the activity of the virus, reduces the appearance of new ulcers;
  • Shingles, caused by a virus, is a skin disease;
  • Herpes sore throat is characterized by the appearance of blisters on the mucous membranes of the throat, which burst and turn into ulcers. Treatment with antibiotics does not give results;
  • Conjunctivitis, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the eye;
  • Herpes. More often it forms on the lips, occurs during a cold due to decreased immunity or after infection from a carrier of the virus;
  • Chicken pox is a skin rash accompanied by fever; acyclovir ointment or tablets are used for treatment.

The drug can be used to prevent relapse of herpes infection with a general decrease in immunity. It stimulates the body's defenses, helping it fight viruses. You cannot prescribe the drug yourself; it is used after consultation with a doctor.

Can acyclovir be given to infants?

The instructions for use contain an age limit - children from three years old. The effect of acyclovir on the baby's body has not been fully studied. A doctor may prescribe it for severe herpes infection.

Treatment tablets are given to children over one year of age. Ointment and cream, when applied externally, almost do not enter the bloodstream; they are used for infants older than a month. For newborns, the use of acyclovir is undesirable. It is not used to treat mothers during lactation, since the active substance of the drug accumulates in breast milk and enters the baby’s body.

Infants are less likely to get chickenpox and in most cases tolerate it quite easily. This is explained by the receipt of antibodies from the mother at birth, and the newborn also receives them through breastfeeding. If the mother has not had chickenpox, or the baby is over 3 months of age on artificial feeding, the risk of infection increases, and the disease is quite severe.

In the acute form of chickenpox of herpes origin, accompanied by high body temperature and a large number of rashes, the skin of infants even younger than 3 years old is smeared with acyclovir ointment to relieve itching and accelerate the healing of ulcers. Additionally, a course of oral administration may be prescribed. In a hospital setting, this drug is administered intravenously.

The advantage of acyclovir over brilliant green is its antiviral effect, which allows treatment rather than antiseptic treatment. The ointment does not stain the skin and is easily washed off, increasing the healing rate of ulcers that appear in place of blisters.

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The best results are obtained by timely administration of the drug. In the early stages, it is easier to cope with a viral infection, treatment is faster, and the baby tolerates the disease more easily.

Instructions

Pills

In rare cases, acyclovir tablets are prescribed to children under one year of age, reducing the dosage depending on the child’s weight. For herpes sore throat, your baby can be given a quarter of a tablet containing 200 mg of acyclovir, 3 times daily, for 5 days. For type 1 virus infection in a newborn, the doctor may prescribe a 10-day course of acyclovir, taken three times daily, at a dose of 10 mg per 1 kg of baby’s weight. The tablets need to be dissolved in boiled water, because the baby does not yet know how to swallow them.

Acyclovir ointment, instructions for use in children under one year of age:

  • Dosage – no more than 80 mg per kg of baby’s weight per day (normal for children under 12 years of age);
  • Apply up to 5 times daily directly to rashes or sores;
  • The ointment should not be applied to healthy skin - the consistency is thick and limits the access of oxygen. In the last stages it is more convenient to apply the cream - it is quickly absorbed. It is better to use the ointment at the beginning of the disease, because it lasts better;
  • For the drug to be effective, do not bathe the child after application;
  • The course is 5 days, if the rash does not go away, continue use for another 5 days.

Eye ointment

Eye ointment is applied to the inner mucous membrane of the lower eyelid, pulling it down slightly. The drug is applied 5 times a day for a week. After the symptoms of conjunctivitis disappear, continue treatment for another 3 days.

A doctor may recommend it for treating ulcers with herpes stomatitis. You cannot use 5% ointment, which is not intended for mucous membranes; it can cause burns, aggravate the situation and lead to complications.

The drug is not used at night; you need to take a break during sleep, even if the child wakes up often.

Contraindications, side effects

The drug is not used if you are allergic to substances included in the drug. Use with caution in children with developmental disorders of the nervous system, kidney and liver disorders. The drug should not be used during prolonged dehydration, as this will increase its negative effect on the urinary system.

Taking acyclovir may cause side effects:

  • Disturbance in the functioning of the nervous system, expressed in fatigue, decreased activity, drowsiness, lethargy, tremors of the arms and legs;
  • From the digestive system - diarrhea, vomiting, liver dysfunction;
  • There may be a decrease in the level of red blood cells and leukocytes in the blood;
  • When used externally – itching, rash, dryness and flaking;
  • In severe cases, the drug can cause convulsions, fever, coma, psychosis, and hair loss on the skin of the body and scalp.

Acyclovir rarely causes side effects, but you need to be aware of them; if a child experiences them, stop taking them and consult your doctor. Internal administration of the drug often leads to an allergic reaction. With prolonged use or interruption of the course before the end of treatment, addiction and adaptation of the virus to the active substance is possible. It is necessary to take acyclovir for no more than 12 days.

The active substance may crystallize in the renal canals at high concentrations in the urine; it should be taken with caution in patients with renal failure. You should choose a different drug if you are simultaneously taking drugs that have an aggressive effect on the kidneys and can lead to intoxication, since acyclovir can enhance the effect.

It is not recommended to prescribe acyclovir to your child on your own; one disease is not always caused by a virus, the cause is bacteria. The origin of the disease can be identified with the help of additional research. If you treat a child with an antiviral drug for a bacterial infection, the treatment will be ineffective, and the time during which the disease progresses and can develop into a complex form will be lost. Be sure to use the drug for children under 3 years of age after consultation with a pediatrician.

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Many women after childbirth face the problem of excess weight. For some, it appears during pregnancy, for others, after childbirth.

  • And now you can no longer afford to wear open swimsuits and short shorts...
  • You begin to forget those moments when men complimented your flawless figure.
  • Every time you approach the mirror, it seems to you that the old days will never return.

But there is an effective remedy for excess weight! Follow the link and find out how Anna lost 24 kg in 2 months.

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The information presented on the site is for informational purposes only. Cannot be a substitute for qualified medical care. The selection and prescription of medications, treatment methods, as well as monitoring their use can only be carried out by a pediatrician. Be sure to consult a specialist.

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