Many have known from childhood such a disease as chicken pox. Most often, babies get sick with it, but since the disease is viral, antibiotics will not help here. Usually, Acyclovir is prescribed for treatment with chickenpox or other antiviral drugs. The article will discuss its properties and application features.
What is chickenpox?
To understand whether it is possible to smear rashes with Acyclovir, you need to figure out what kind of infection it is. The causative agent of chickenpox is the herpes virus. When ingested, it multiplies and contributes to fever and headaches. When the virus penetrates the skin, papules and vesicles filled with liquid appear.
In a person who has had chickenpox, the virus remains forever in the nerve ganglia. With a decrease in immunity, the pathogen comes to life and from the blood gets under the skin, where it occurs in the form of shingles. This form of infection is characterized by rashes along the way.intercostal spaces. Papules contain exactly the same chickenpox virus. Therefore, an adult is contagious at this time, as in childhood.
For treatment, "Acyclovir" is often used for chickenpox, which belongs to antiviral drugs. It has an effect on herpes viruses types 1 and 2, as well as the causative agent of chicken pox.
Dose forms
The drug is designed to reduce the amount of virus in the body. "Acyclovir" for chickenpox for adults and children is available in the following forms:
- Ointment 5%. It is used to treat chickenpox rash.
- Powder lyophilized to obtain a solution. In this form, "Acyclovir" is used in the complicated course of the disease. In the absence of contraindications, it can be used to treat adults and children from 3 months of age.
- Pills. The course of treatment and dosage depends on the degree of development of chickenpox and individual characteristics.
Each of the dosage forms has its own special properties in use, such as dosage, age of the patient and method of application.
Composition of the drug
"Acyclovir" with chickenpox is most often prescribed for adult patients, because the infection they have is severe. The drug is prescribed to children only with a complicated course of the disease.
The main active ingredient of this drug is acyclovir, whichis an organic compound. It has a complex chemical formula. The excipients include: cetostearyl alcohol, paraffin, sodium lauryl sulfate, methylparaben, microcrystalline cellulose and purified water.
The content of the active ingredient is as follows:
- in 1 ampoule - 250 mg;
- in 1 tablet - 200 ml;
- in 1 g of cream - 50 mg;
- in 1 g of eye ointment - 30 mg.
The drug practically does not interact with the protein components that are in the blood plasma. Excreted through the kidneys.
Operation principle
Initially, the drug was prescribed to fight the herpes virus, but later also with the varicella-zoster virus, which belongs to the same group. Therefore, the effectiveness of "Acyclovir" in chickenpox is fully justified.
In addition to antiviral properties, the drug improves immunity.
According to the instructions for use, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox is a unique remedy that can be applied to various parts of the body. The only thing to consider is that the dosage form in the form of a cream is not suitable for the treatment of mucous membranes. For this, a special ointment "Acyclovir" should be used for chickenpox.
The rash that is located in the oral cavity causes discomfort for the patient, especially for the child. In such a situation, you can use a special cream that contains acyclovir to treat them.
Application"Acyclovir" with chickenpox is especially effective if you use a cream or ointment for this. The substances contained in the preparations are able to eliminate viruses and prevent the spread of infection. Also, the drug effectively relieves itching, which is especially important during the period of active rash.
In severe cases, Acyclovir is used for chickenpox in tablets or injections. Usually the treatment of such cases of the disease is carried out in a hospital. Patients should understand that the drug is potent, so it can have both positive and negative effects on the body, with the wrong dosage.
How to use
For external use include cream, ointment and mucosal treatment. In this case, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox has a local effect, but it is effective when it comes to children. The drug is not absorbed into the blood. When using it, the virus cells die, and there is no negative effect on normal ones.
The advantage of such dosage forms is that there is no negative effect on the kidneys and liver.
Apply the drug only to the affected areas of the skin. Up to 5 procedures are allowed per day.
"Aciclovir" must be applied in small amounts so that a significant amount of the active substance is not absorbed into the skin.
Ointment contains 5% active substance. This dosage is enough to getpositive effect. Such a composition is considered safe for both adults and young patients. It is best to use the ointment only in the daytime, it is not recommended to use it at night. The drug helps to get rid of itching and burning, its effect can be felt on the 2nd-3rd day of use.
The correct dosage of "Acyclovir" for chickenpox in tablets is prescribed by a specialist. The drug is taken every 4 hours for 5 days. Tablets are washed down with a sufficient amount of liquid. If after this period the patient's condition does not improve, then the issue of prolonging treatment can only be decided by a doctor.
If a patient develops symptoms of immunodeficiency, the drug is taken 2 tablets 5 times within 24 hours.
Analogues
The drug has a large number of foreign and domestic analogues. Such a diverse number of funds allows you to choose the most optimal option for the treatment of chickenpox. Medicines that are produced by different manufacturers have their own characteristics and technologies. In this case, the drug with the same mechanism of action will have some differences in composition and a list of possible contraindications. Even the side effects of the drugs are completely different. This is due to the variety of auxiliary means and forms of release included in the composition.
Analogues of the drug:
- "Acigerpin".
- Acyclostad.
- Valacyclovir.
- Zovirax.
- Cyclovir.
The choice of an analogue should only be done by a specialist. Only he will be able to choose a drug with the same content of the active substance.
Contraindications and side effects
According to the instructions, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation. The drug is not used in the treatment of children under 1 year of age, if they have allergic reactions to the components.
The drug is not prescribed for patients diagnosed with renal failure. It is used with caution by people who are particularly sensitive to the active substance.
After taking Acyclovir, visual acuity may decrease, so it is forbidden to drive vehicles during the treatment period.
During the period of application of "Acyclovir" with chickenpox, the following adverse reactions may occur:
- Headache, weakness and muscle cramps are observed from the side of the central nervous system. The patient may also experience drowsiness, impaired concentration, and hallucinations.
- Possible malfunctions of the digestive tract. In this case, there is pain in the abdomen, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
- Affects the drug and the circulatory system. In this case, the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes decreases.
- There is reddening of the skin, itching and peeling.
If the patient exceeds the allowable dosage, symptoms such as headache may occurpain, shortness of breath, diarrhea, nausea.
When treating with Acyclovir, you need to carefully approach the use of other drugs.
Prevention
For preventive measures, "Acyclovir" should be used only as directed by a specialist. Self-medication can be dangerous to the he alth of the patient. If the patient is afraid of a relapse of the disease, then he needs to consult a doctor who will prescribe him an individual dosage of Acyclovir. Here, much attention will be paid to the severity of the infection, what is the reaction of the patient's body to the drug and the overall period of infection.
If a child under 2 years of age needs prophylaxis, half the adult dosage is given.
Reviews
Opinions about the drug are mostly positive. According to reviews, "Acyclovir" with chickenpox perfectly performs its functions. Despite the possible complications, the drug perfectly cures the disease. Patients who used Acyclovir note that the drug has its therapeutic effect in the shortest possible time.
An important factor is the price of the drug, which, compared to similar products, has an affordable price.
Parents of young children who have had chickenpox are satisfied with the action of Acyclovir. Thanks to him, the symptoms of the disease quickly disappeared. Basically, the drug was used for treatment in the form of ointment and cream. Their composition is identicalexcept for the base.
Conclusion
"Acyclovir" with chickenpox is a proven and effective remedy that has a low cost. It is also used for shingles, herpes simplex, and Epstein-Barr disease. The drug is effective, but has side effects that must be taken into account during the period of application.
