Aciclovir tablets 200 mg for virus infections (acyclovir, herpes, Zovirax)

General information on Japanese Aciclovir tablets 200 mg for virus infections (acyclovir, herpes, Zovirax)

Package details: 100 tablets

Manufacturer: Sawai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. / Nichi-Iko Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. / Towa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Japan

Active ingredients: aciclovir (chemical formula C8H11N5O3)

Medical effect: Aciclovir tablets are effective for the treatment of virus infections, including following:

• herpes simplex,
• herpes zoster,
• suppression of onset of herpes simplex virus infection associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,
• suppression of recurrence of genital herpes in pediatric patients.

Contraindications and precautions: do not use for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

If an allergic reaction occurs, stop using the medicine and consult with your doctor. If you’re taking any other medication or receiving any other treatment, you have to consult with your doctor before use.

Please take a larger amount of water than usual while taking this medicine. However, if you have been instructed to restrict fluid intake, please consult with your doctor in charge.

As this medicine may cause consciousness disorder, pay close attention when driving a car or operating dangerous machinery. Patients with renal dysfunction should avoid operating dangerous machinery or driving a car, as they are more susceptible to consciousness disorder.

Dosage and administration

For herpes simplex: for adults, take 200 mg of the active ingredient at a time, 5 times a day. For children, take 20 mg of the active ingredient per kilogram of the body weight at a time, 4 times a day. However, the maximum single dose of 200 mg should not be exceeded.

For suppression of onset of herpes simplex virus infection associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: for adults, take 200 mg of the active ingredient at a time, 5 times a day from 7 days prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to 35 days after transplantation. For children, take 20 mg/kg at a time, 4 times a day from 7 days prior to hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to 35 days after transplantation. However, the maximum single dose of 200 mg should not be exceeded.

For herpes zoster: for adults, take 800 mg of the active ingredient at a time, 5 times a day. For children, take 20 mg /kg at a time, 4 times a day. However, the maximum single dose of 800 mg should not be exceeded.

For suppression of recurrent genital herpes: for children, take 20 mg/kg at a time, 4 times a day. However, the maximum single dose of 200 mg should not be exceeded.

In any case, doctor in charge may adjust the dosage according to disease, symptoms, and age of the patient.

How effective are Aciclovir tablets 200 mg from Japan for virus infections (acyclovir, herpes, Zovirax)?

Aciclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with inhibitory activity against viruses. It works by inhibiting viral DNA replication via inhibiting and inactivating viral DNA polymerase, incorporating into the growing viral DNA chain and terminating it. Immunocompetent patients are very rare to develop resistance to acyclovir (J. C. Pottage Jr., H. A. Kessler. “Herpes simplex virus resistance to acyclovir: clinical relevance”. Infectious agents and disease, 1995, 4(3): 115-24).

Who should use Aciclovir tablets 200 mg from Japan?

Aciclovir tablets are effective for the treatment of herpes simplex and herpes zoster and for suppression of onset of herpes simplex virus infection associated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. For pediatric patients, Aciclovir tablets are used for the suppression of recurrence of genital herpes.