Aclovir 500mg Injection

What it is used for: Viral Infection.

Indications as listed by the manufacturer: It is used to treat : Herpes Simplex Infections in Immunocompromised Patients , Initial Episodes of Herpes Genitalis , Herpes Simplex Encephalitis , Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus Infection , Varicella-Zoster Infections in Immunocompromised Patients.

How it works: The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidinen kinase (TK) encoded by HSV and VZV. This viral enzyme converts acyclovir into acyclovir monophosphate, a nucleotide analogue. The monophosphate is further converted into diphosphate by cellular guanylate kinase and into triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes. In vitro, acyclovir triphosphate stops replication of herpes viral DNA. This is accomplished in three ways: 1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, 2) incorporation into and termination of the growing viral DNA chain, and 3) inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase. The greater antiviral activity of acyclovir against HSV compared to VZV is due to its more efficient phosphorylation by the viral TK.

Active ingredient: Acyclovir.

Reported side effects: Anaphylaxis, fever, headache, pain, peripheral edema; Diarrhea, elevated liver function tests, gastrointestinal distress, nausea , Hypotension, disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolysis, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy , Myalgia , Agitation, coma, confusion, delerium, dizziness, hallucinations, obtundation, psychosis, seizures, somnolence (these symptoms may be marked, particularly in older adults , alopecia, erythema multiforme, pruritis, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria.

Known drug interactions: Probenecid , Cimetidine , Mycophenolate mofetil , Cyclosporin , Tacrolimus , Theophylline

Infusion over 1 hr. Herpes simplex or recurrent varicella-zoster : Adults : 5mg/kg every 8 hr; doubled in primary and recurrent varicella-zoster in the immunocompromised and in simplex encephalitis ( for which it should be continued for atleast 10 days. Children : Upto 3 mnth, 10mg/kg every 8hr; 3mnth-12yr, 250mg/m2 every 8 hr, dose doubled in the immunocompromised and in simplex encephalitis ( for which it should be continued for at least 10 days). OR As directed by your physician.

Active ingredient: Acyclovir. Labelled strength: 500mg.

Store this medicine at room temperature, away from direct light and heat.

Manufactured by Aclovir Healthcare (Pvt) Ltd.. Country of origin: Pakistan.