Zovirax for children

In the fight against herpes viruses, the most effective drugs based on acyclovir. One of them is Zovirax. Is it prescribed to children and when used during childhood?

Zovirax is represented by such species:

• Creamintended for outdoor use. It has a white color and a uniform consistency. The concentration of the active substance in this form is 5%. One tube contains 2, 5 or 10 grams of the drug. Also, the cream is produced in plastic bottles of 2 grams each.
• Pills. Their characteristics are white, convex on both sides of the round shape and the presence on one side of the inscription GXCL3. Tablets are packed in blisters of 5 pieces, and one pack contains 5 blisters.
• Eye ointment. It is a translucent, soft, oily substance of white color. This ointment is homogeneous (there are no lumps and grains in it) and has an unexpressed characteristic odor. The concentration of the active compound in this form of the drug is 3%. One tube contains 4.5 grams of ointment.
• Injectable form (lyophilisate). This medication is produced in glass vials, packaged in 5 pieces per pack. Inside each bottle there is a white powder or a caked mass of white.

The therapeutic effect of any form of Zovirax is provided by acyclovir. Such an active ingredient is presented in 100 g of cream in an amount of 5 grams, in one tablet - a dose of 200 mg, and in 1 gram of eye ointment it contains 30 mg. As for the lyophilisate, one bottle contains 250 mg of acyclovir.

Additionally, Zovirax has macrogol, water, glycerol, white paraffin, propylene glycol and other components. In addition to acyclovir, the composition of the tablet form contains magnesium stearate, MCC, lactose, povidone K30 and sodium carboxymethyl starch. Eye ointment contains only one auxiliary ingredient - white petrolatum. In the powder for injection in addition to the active substance is present only sodium hydroxide.

Acyclovir as part of Zovirax has antiviral activity directed to herpes viruses 1-2 types, the causative agent of varicella (Varicella Zoster virus), as well as cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr viruses. The drug affects the enzymes of these viruses, as a result of which it is inserted into new DNA, making viral cells "defective" and inhibiting their replication. At the same time, the drug does not act on cells not infected with viruses.

Zovirax is used:

• With the defeat of herpes simplex viruses mucous membranes and skin, in particular, with herpes lips and keratitis. For such infections, ointment and cream are most in demand.
• For the prevention of recurrence of herpes in patients with a normal state of the immune system, and for children with immunodeficiency. For this purpose, most often prescribed pills.
• With severe or moderate form of chicken pox, as well as with herpes zoster. These diseases are usually treated with pills, but other types of Zovirax can be used.
• To prevent cytomegalovirus infection in children who have bone marrow transplanted. In such a situation, injections are prescribed.

There is no age limit on the use of local drug options and injections. However, the treatment of children under one year must be agreed with the doctor. Zovirax tablets are not prescribed to children under three years of age.

• The drug is not used in the treatment of children who have hypersensitivity to any component of the selected form of Zovirax.
• It is not recommended to smear the mucous membrane of the eyes or mouth with Zovirax cream. For the treatment of their lesions is better to use eye ointment.
• The tablet form and injections are prescribed with caution to young patients with renal insufficiency or dehydration, as well as with neurological pathologies.

After applying the cream or ointment, some children may experience a negative local reaction in the form of tingling, redness, peeling, itching or burning. Occasionally, local treatment with Zovirax causes allergic dermatitis or angioedema.

Treatment with a pill or injection can cause allergies, nausea, fever, anemia, headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, shortness of breath, loose stools and other negative symptoms. If such reactions occur, you should immediately contact a specialist.

• Such Zovirax is allowed to drink during meals. Wash down the drug should be clean water.
• With lesions caused by the Herpex simplex viruses, 1 tablet is prescribed every four hours (the drug is taken 5 times a day). Typically, this treatment is prescribed for a 5-day course, but in severe infections the medication may be taken longer.
• With the preventive purpose The drug is taken 4 times a day, 1 tablet. Also circulated with a three-dose (1 tablet) and a double dose (1 or 2 tablets).
• With chickenpox pill form should be taken 4 times a day. For children 3-6 years old, a single dose will be 400 mg of acyclovir, and at the age of six, it increases to 800 mg. For a more accurate calculation of the dosage, you can multiply the weight of the child in kilograms by 20 mg, but the dose should not be more than 800 mg. Take the medicine you need 5 days.

The cream is applied with a thin layer with a clean hand or a cotton swab on the affected areas and next to them up to 5 times a day. The duration of this form of Zovirax is at least 4 days. If the skin does not heal in 4-5 days, the preparation can continue to be applied up to 10 days. Longer use of the cream should be coordinated with the doctor.

Eye ointment in the form of a small strip with a length of 1 cm lay the lower eyelid. Processing is carried out every 4 hours, that is, a day such a drug is applied to the conjunctiva 5 times. Treatment lasts until complete healing and another 3 days after the disappearance of signs of keratitis.

The drug is slowly injected into a vein for 1 hour, dissolving the lyophilisate in saline solution, glucose solution or water for injection. The dosage is selected individually based on the weight of the baby or the surface area of ​​his body. The frequency of administration and the duration of therapy depends on the specific disease.

Exceeding the recommended dose of tablets of less than 20 g has no toxic effect, since the drug is not fully absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Repeatedly taking too much medication may cause nausea, headache, shortness of breath, confusion, vomiting, diarrhea, and other symptoms. In rare cases, overdose of tablets provokes hallucinations, impaired kidney function, convulsions or coma.

No drug interactions with other drugs like the topically used forms of Zovirax, and tablets and injections were found.

To buy Zovirax cream recipe is not required.But in order to purchase a lyophilisate, a tablet form or an eye ointment, you must first obtain a prescription for such medicine from a pediatrician, an ophthalmologist, or another doctor. The average price of 5 g of cream is 180 rubles, a tube of eye ointment is 250 rubles, and about 500 rubles must be paid for 25 tablets.

Zovirax shelf life depends on the dosage form:

• The cream in aluminum tubes is stored for up to 3 years from the date of issue.
• The cream in a plastic bottle can be stored for up to 2 years.
• The tablets are valid for 5 years from the date of production.
• An unopened tube of eye ointment may lie at home for up to 5 years from the date of manufacture. Once the package has been opened, the drug can be stored for no longer than 1 month.
• The shelf life of the lyophilisate is 5 years. The prepared solution for injection is not stored, but immediately used.

The most interesting, relevant and exciting parents on children's herpes can be viewed in the next video of Dr. Komarovsky.

The use of Zovirax in children is mostly satisfied with parents. They note that treatment with a cream or ointment helps to quickly get rid of skin lesions, and treatment with pills effectively prevents relapses and promotes quick recovery from chickenpox. Among the disadvantages of drugs most often mentioned its high price. Also there are reviews of the lack of effect in the local use of the cream.

The most popular analogue of Zovirax is Acyclovir. Such a drug is produced by various pharmaceutical companies and is represented by a variety of release forms, including ointment, cream, tablets, powder for injection, and eye ointment. The treatment of this medication with the defeat of herpes viruses is allowed from birth.

Other drugs based on acyclovir are Cyclovir, Virolex, Herperax, Acyclovir Belupo, Acyclovir-Acre and other medicines. They are presented to tablets, ointment, cream and other forms. If necessary, any of these drugs can be a full replacement for Zovirax.