29.03.2024

Cream, ointment or tablets Acyclovir, the choice of drug

With prolonged treatment with drugs, viruses can develop resistance to them, which will lead to a decrease or loss of therapeutic effectiveness in subsequent treatment. It should be remembered that antiviral drugs are not antibiotics. Self-medication is not recommended. Follow your doctor’s recommendations.

Various types of herpes have been known since ancient times – approximately 92% of the world’s inhabitants are infected with herpes infections . Once in the body, the virus remains forever. He can remain in a hidden form, and can regularly remind himself.

Acyclovir has a selective effect on the affected cells, without affecting healthy ones.

Its use provides effects such as:

  • Getting rid of rashes.
  • Prevents the development of signs of the disease.
  • Prevents the development of complications.

Medicines containing acyclovir are produced by domestic and foreign companies in the form of:

  1. Powders for solution for injection (Zovirax, Virolex).
  2. Suspensions for oral administration (Citivir.
  3. Creams (Virolex, Gerpevir).
  4. Ointment for external use (Acyclovir-AKOS, Acyclovir-Acre, Acyclovir Belupo).
  5. Eye ointments (Zovirax, Virolex).
  6. Tablets (Acyclovir-AKOS, Acyclovir, Zovirax).

The most common are soft dosage forms and tablets. Compare them with each other.

Cream

Mild dosage form. Has a vaseline base, is quickly and completely absorbed from the moment of application.

It is produced in tubes of 5 or 10 mg with a concentration of 5%. It is used for island-inflammatory reactions.

Cream

Ointment

Dosage form, on a fat basis. The penetration depth of the active component is greater than that of the cream form of acyclovir.

Recommended for the treatment of dry skin rashes. Available in two types, depending on the application.

Ointment for external use

It is produced in tubes of 2, 5, 10 g with a concentration of 5%. It is used to lubricate affected areas of the skin. Promotes rapid crust formation.

Ointment for external use

Eye ointment

It is produced in tubes of 4.5 g with a concentration of 3%. It is used when herpes keratitis occurs. Acyclovir is rapidly absorbed by the cornea and tissues of the eye.

Eye ointment

Tablets

They are used for systemic treatment of conditions such as:

  • The defeat of the epidermis and mucous membranes.
  • Prevention of recurrence of herpetic infections.
  • As part of complex therapy in patients with immunodeficiency.

Available in 20 and 25 pcs. 200, 400 and 800 mg each.

Tablets

General characteristics of dosage forms
  • Excipients. The cream and ophthalmic form are made on a vaseline basis.
  • Mechanism of action. Penetrating into cells infected with the virus, acyclovir under the influence of viral thymidine kinase passes into monophosphate, which is alternately transformed into diphosphate and triphosphate forms. Triphosphate, integrating into hostile DNA, promotes chain termination and blocks its further synthesis.
  • All forms are used in cases: infectious lesions of the skin and mucous membranes; relapse of the disease; chickenpox, shingles.
  • A contraindication to the appointment of external drugs with acyclovir is the presence of individual intolerance to the active component.
  • Side effects. Topical products and the ophthalmic form can cause burning, itching and local irritation, disappearing after completion of treatment.
  • Method of application. External means lubricate the damaged areas with a thin layer 5-6 times a day with a break of 4 hours.
  • Vacation conditions from pharmacies. Mild dosage forms can be purchased without a prescription.
Differences in dosage forms
  1. Excipients. Ointment for external use is made on the basis of bird oil lipids. Tablets are based on potato starch. Cream and ophthalmic ointment have a vaseline base.
  2. Contraindications. Tablets containing acyclovir are contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation, because has a teratogenic effect. Soft forms are allowed during these periods. During the use of eye ointment, contact lenses should not be used.
  3. Method of application. The tablets are taken orally, preserving the integrity of the shell, drinking 200 ml of liquid. Application time does not depend on meals. Ophthalmic ointment is placed in the form of a strip 10 mm long for the lower eyelid 5-6 times a day with a 4-hour break. Treatment lasts until the symptoms disappear plus 3 days. External agents for the treatment of affected skin are used in the same way.
  4. Side effects. The use of tablets can cause: dizziness; discomfort in the intestines, loose stools, vomiting; urticaria, skin itching; fatigue, fever; hair loss. Local use of drugs can lead to burning, itching, tingling, and dermatitis.
  5. Storage. Ophthalmic ointment is stored 30 days from the moment of opening. Tablets and products for external use, store according to the time on the packaging.
  6. Vacation conditions from pharmacies. Acyclovir tablets are available from prescription pharmacies.
  7. Cost. Domestic cream can be purchased from 32 rubles, ointment from 15, eye ointment from 140, tablets from 30. Foreign analogues will cost 2-4 times more.

Means for external use with acyclovir are considered the safest. The active component does not enter the bloodstream and does not have a centralized effect.

The cream and ointment treatment regimen is suitable for patients of all ages.

Drugs are prescribed for the treatment of keratitis and blepharitis, and other external manifestations of diseases caused by herpes viruses. These dosage forms are sold over the counter.

Prescription pills, as have a systemic effect and have a lot of contraindications. Contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. Children are allowed from 2 years.

The bioavailability of the tablets is low – only 15–35%. Despite this, the drug has an effective therapeutic effect.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *