GENERIC CLASSIFICATION DOSAGE / INDICATIONS
ACYCLOVIR Antivirals, Eye Anti-infectives & Adult: PO Primary herpes simplex infections 200 mg 5 times/day for 5-
Antiseptics, Topical Antivirals 10 days. Suppression of recurrent herpes simplex 800 mg/day in 2-4
divided doses. Prevention of herpes simplex in immunocompromised
patients 200 mg 4 times/day. Herpes zoster 800 mg 5 times/day for 7-10
days. Varicella zoster >40 kg: 800 mg 4 times/day for 5 days. IV
Mucocutaneous herpes simplex in immunocompromised patients 5
mg/kg 8 hrly for 7 days. Genital herpes 5 mg/kg 8 hrly for 5-7 days.
Herpes simplex encephalitis 10 mg/kg 8 hrly for 10 days. Herpes zoster
in immunocompromised patients 10 mg/kg 8 hrly for 7 days. Ophth
Herpes simplex keratitis As 3% oint: Apply 5 times/day until 3rd day of
complete healing. Topical Herpes simplex skin infections As 5%
oint/cream: Apply 5-6 times/day for 5-10 days.
MECHANISM OF ACTION
Activity against HSV types I and II and varicella-zoster
virus is due to intracellular conversion of aciclovir to
the monophosphate by viral thymidine kinase with
subsequent conversion to the diphosphate and active
triphosphate by cellular enzymes. This active form
inhibits viral DNA synthesis and replication by
interfering with viral DNA polymerase enzyme and
being incorporated into viral DNA.
ADVERSE REACTION
Nausea, vomiting, headache, diarrhoea, rash,
haematological changes (occasional), increase in liver
enzymes, burning, itching or erythema (topical use). Eye
application may produce stinging, superficial punctate
keratopathy, blepharitis or conjunctivitis. IV administration:
Local reaction, pain, inflammation, phlebitis, extravasation
leads to ulceration. Increase in BUN and/or creatinine.
Rarely, renal failure.
Potentially Fatal: Occasionally neurotoxicity after IV use:
Lethargy, confusion, agitation, tremors, seizures, coma.