Acyclovir Boston 800

POSOLOGY AND METHOD OF ADMINISTRATION

Posology

Dosage in adults:

Treatment of varicella and herpes zoster infections: 800 mg should be taken five times daily at approximately fourhourly 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 the onset of the rash.

Special populations:
Dosage in children and teenagers:

Treatment of varicella infections:
6 years and over: 800 mg four times daily. Treatment should continue for five days.

Children under 6 years: It is recommended to use other preparations in accordance with the following dosage:

+ Children from 2 to 5 years: 400 mg × 4 times/day.

+ Children under 2 years: 200 mg × 4 times/day.
No specific data are available on the treatment of herpes zoster infections in immunocompetent children.
For treatment of neonatal herpes virus infections, intravenous acyclovir is recommended.

Dosage in the elderly:

The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly (see
Dosage in renal impairment below).
Adequate hydration of elderly patients taking high oral doses of 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.
In the treatment of herpes zoster infections it is recommended to adjust the dosage to 800 mg Aciclovir twice daily at
approximately twelve-hourly intervals for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute)
and to 800 mg Aciclovir three times daily at intervals of approximately eight hours for patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance in the range of 10-25 ml/minute).

Method of administration

Tablets are for oral administration

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Hypersensitivity to aciclovir or any of the excipients listed in compositon.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTION

Use in patients with renal impairment and in elderly patients:
Aciclovir is eliminated by renal clearance, therefore the dose must be adjusted in patients with renal impairment. Elderly patients are likely to have reduced renal function and therefore the need for dose adjustment must be considered in this group of patients. Both elderly patients and patients with renal impairment are at increased risk of developing neurological side effects and should be closely monitored for evidence of these effects. In the reported cases, these reactions were generally reversible on discontinuation of treatment. Prolonged or repeated courses of aciclovir in severely immune-compromised individuals may result in the selection of virus strains with reduced sensitivity, which may not respond to continued aciclovir treatment.
Hydration status: Care should be taken to maintain adequate hydration in patients receiving high doses of aciclovir.
The risk of renal impairment is increased by use with other nephrotoxic drugs.
The data currently available from clinical studies is not sufficient to conclude that treatment with aciclovir reduces the incidence
of chickenpox-associated complications in immunocompetent patients.

SHELF LIFE

36 months from the manufacturing date. Do not use after the expiry date.

Box of 5 blisters x 5 tablets

Box of 7 blisters x 5 tablets

Box of 10 blisters x 5 tablets