The Herpesviridae are a large family of DNA viruses that cause diseases in animals, including humans.
Herpes viruses all share a common structure—all herpes viruses are composed of relatively large double-stranded, linear DNA genomes encoding 100-200 genes encased within an icosahedral protein cage called the capsid which is itself wrapped in a lipid bilayer membrane called the envelope. This particle is known as the virion.
Herpes zoster (or simply zoster), commonly known as shingles, is a viral disease characterised by a painful skin rash with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe. The initial infection with varicella zoster virus (VZV) causes the acute (short-lived) illness chickenpox, and generally occurs in children and young people. Once an episode of chickenpox has resolved, the virus is not eliminated from the body but can go on to cause shingles—an illness with very different symptoms—often many years after the initial infection.
Acyclovir belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Usually these medicines work for only one kind or group of virus infections.
Acyclovir is used to treat the symptoms of chickenpox, shingles, herpes virus infections of the genitals (sex organs), the skin, the brain, and mucous membranes (lips and mouth), and widespread herpes virus infections in newborns. Acyclovir is also used to prevent recurrent genital herpes infections. Although acyclovir will not cure herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores (if any) heal faster.
Acyclovir - Zovirax
Acyclovir is best used as soon as possible after the symptoms of herpes infection or shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear.
If you are taking acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox, it is best to start taking acyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash, usually within one day.
Acyclovir capsules, tablets, and oral suspension may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.
Acyclovir is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
If you are using acyclovir oral suspension, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
To help clear up your herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles, keep taking acyclovir for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Acyclovir Dosage
The dose of Acyclovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of acyclovir. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking acyclovir.
For treatment of genital herpes:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 milligrams (mg) five times a day for ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes infections:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 to 400 mg two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months, depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
For treatment of chickenpox:
Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds (40 kilograms) - 800 mg four times a day for five days.
Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms) or less - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to 800 mg, four times a day for five days.
Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
For treatment of shingles:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 800 mg five times a day for seven to ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
If you miss a dose of Acyclovir
If you do miss a dose of Acyclovir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - How to store Acyclovir
- Keep Acyclovir out of the reach of children.
- Store Acyclovir away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the capsule or tablet form of Acyclovir in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Acyclovir or Zovirax no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side effects of Acyclovir
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects of Acyclovir persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; general body discomfort; headache; nausea/vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects of Zovirax occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggressive behavior; blood in the urine; confusion; decreased consciousness; decreased urination; hallucinations; lower back pain; mental or mood changes; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; unusual bruising or bleeding.
Famciclovir - Famvir
Famciclovir is used to treat the symptoms of herpes zoster (also known as shingles), a herpes virus infection of the skin. It is used to treat and suppress recurrent episodes of genital herpes infection. This medicine is also used to treat recurrent herpes virus infections of the mucous membranes (lips and mouth) and genitals in HIV-infected patients. Although Famcicloivr will not cure genital herpes or herpes zoster, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores heal faster.
Famciclovir is best used within 48 hours after the symptoms of shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear, or within 6 hours after the symptoms of recurrent genital herpes (for example, pain, blisters) begin to appear.
Famciclovir may be taken with meals.
Famciclovir Dosage
The dose of Famciclovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of Famcicloivr. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For treatment of shingles:
Adults - 500 milligrams (mg) every eight hours for seven days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For suppression of recurrent genital herpes:
Adults - 250 mg two times a day for up to one year.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For treatment of recurrent genital herpes:
Adults - 125 mg two times a day for five days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For treatment of recurrent herpes virus infections of the mucous membranes (lips and mouth) and genitals in HIV-infected patients:
Adults - 500 mg two times a day for seven days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
If you miss a dose of Famciclovir
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - How to store Famciclovir
- Keep Famciclovir out of the reach of children.
- Store Famciclovir away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the Famciclovir tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Famciclovir or Famvir no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side effects of Famciclovir
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects of Famciclovir persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; gas; headache; tiredness; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects of Famvir occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; delirium; disorientation; hallucinations; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin.
Valacyclovir - Valtrex
Valacyclovir is used to treat the symptoms of herpes zoster (also known as shingles), a herpes virus infection of the skin; it is also used to treat and prevent genital herpes infections. In your body, Valacyclovir becomes the anti-herpes medicine, acyclovir. Although Valacyclovir will not cure shingles or genital herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores heal faster.
Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 48 hours after the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (for example, pain, burning, or blisters) begin to appear . For recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 24 hours after the symptoms begin to appear.
Valacyclovir may be taken with meals.
Keep taking Valacyclovir for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses. However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Valacyclovir Dosage
The dose of Valacyclovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctors orders or the directions on the label The following information includes only the average doses of Valacyclovir. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
For treatment of genital herpes, first outbreak:
Adults - 1 gram two times a day for ten days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For treatment of genital herpes, recurrent outbreaks:
Adults - 500 milligrams (mg) two times a day for three days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
To prevent recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes:
Adults - 500 mg or 1 gram once a day.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
For treatment of shingles:
Adults - 1 gram three times a day for seven days.
Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
If you miss a dosage of Valacyclovir
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Storage - How to store Valacyclovir
- Keep Valacyclovir out of the reach of children.
- Store Valacyclovir away from heat and direct light.
- Do not store the Valacyclovir tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
- Do not keep outdated Valacyclovir or Valtrex no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.
Side effects of Valacyclovir
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects of Valacyclovir persist or become bothersome:
Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects of Valtrex occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggressive behavior; bloody or dark urine; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; fever; hallucinations; lower back pain; pale skin; pinpoint bruises; seizures; shaky movements; speech problems; unsteady movement; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
