Clinical medicine profile
Aciclovir or acyclovir, oral & parenteral
Antiviral / antiretroviral
- Route
- ORAL / IV / TOPICAL
- Schedule
- POM
- ATC
- Not assigned
- PPB status
- registered
This profile needs source confirmation
A traceable source link is not attached to this profile. Confirm prescribing decisions against the current SmPC and Kenya STG/EML.
Safety essentials
The information most likely to change a prescribing or dispensing decision.
Contraindications
- Hypersensitivity (abacavir HLA-B*5701 positive — absolute for abacavir).
- Agent-specific organ failure thresholds.
- Never dual-count duplicate NRTIs inappropriately.
Precautions
- Adherence critical for ART to prevent resistance.
- Screen HLA-B*5701 before abacavir.
- Monitor renal bone parameters with TDF.
- IRIS after ART initiation.
- Aciclovir: hydrate to reduce crystalluria.
Dosing matrix
Population and organ-function guidance, shown together for faster comparison.
Treatment of HSV: 200mg 5 times daily for 5 days [adult and children over 2 years]. Children under 2 years: 12 the above dose. Immuno-compromised: double the above doses. Prophylaxis of HSV: 200-400mg QID. Adult and over 2 years: Under 2 years; 12 the above dose. Treatment of HZV: 800mg 5 times daily for 7 days. By I.V infusion, HSV or recurrent HZV 5mg/kg TID [over 1 hour]. Children: 3 mths - 12years; 250mg/m2 TID up to 3months - 10mg/kg TID. Dose doubled in immunocompromised patients.
See label paediatric section if present; otherwise use paediatric formulary — do not extrapolate adult doses.
Dose-adjust renally cleared NRTIs; TDF nephrotoxicity monitoring.
- CrCl 0–120: Confirm renal dosing in product SmPC / primary label.
Several agents hepatotoxic; monitor with HBV/HCV co-infection.
Use, effects & interactions
Indications
- Treatment of HSV, Prophylaxis of HSV, HSV or recurrent HZV, Clinical selection for Aciclovir or acyclovir, oral & parenteral should follow culture results where relevant, Kenya STG/EML recommendations, and the current product SmPC.
- Class context: Antiviral / antiretroviral.
- Confirm site-specific dose, duration and monitoring before prescribing.
Adverse effects
- Agent-specific: GI, rash, CNS (efavirenz), hyperbilirubinaemia (atazanavir), renal/bone (TDF), anaemia (ZDV), hypersensitivity (ABC).
Drug interactions
Open multi-drug checker ↗- Use national HIV guidelines for first-line combinations.
- Do not cease ART without plan.
- For HSV/VZV: early therapy improves outcomes
- dose by IBW/renal function for IV aciclovir.
Mechanism & disposition
Inhibits viral DNA replication.
Read complete mechanism
Inhibits viral DNA replication. Nucleoside/nucleotide analogues require phosphorylation and inhibit viral DNA polymerase or reverse transcriptase as chain terminators. NNRTIs allosterically inhibit reverse transcriptase. Protease inhibitors block viral maturation. Integrase inhibitors prevent viral DNA integration. Adamantanes/neuraminidase inhibitors target influenza mechanisms.
Varies (hours–days)
Regimen-dependent; ART lifelong
ORAL / IV / TOPICAL
Pregnancy, lactation & diet
ART is essential in pregnancy for maternal health and PMTCT — use preferred regimens per Kenya NASCOP guidance.
Follow national HIV infant feeding + maternal ART guidance.
Brands & loaded prices
| Brand | Manufacturer | Pack | Observed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACICLOBEL CREAM | BELEA PHARMACY LTD | Cream | Unavailable |
| ACYCLOTAB DT | NESHER PHARMA LD | Chewable/Dispersible Tablet | Unavailable |
| Acyclovir Denk 200 | Denk Pharma | Tablet | Unavailable |
Sources & review state
Decision support only. Confirm patient-specific decisions against the current product SmPC, Kenya STG/EML, and professional judgement.