Antiviral Agent: Acyclovir Oral Liquid 400 mg/5 mL contains the active ingredient acyclovir, a synthetic nucleoside analog with potent antiviral activity.
Formulation: It is an oral suspension, specifically formulated as a liquid for ease of administration in pediatric patients (indicated by “P”) and adults who have difficulty swallowing tablets.
Dosage Strength: The concentration is 400 mg of acyclovir in every 5 mL of liquid, allowing for flexible dosing based on body weight, particularly for children.
Selectivity: Acyclovir is highly selective for infected cells, as it is converted to its active form only within cells infected by herpesviruses, which minimizes its effect on healthy host cells.
Advantages
Ease of Administration: The liquid formulation is easy to swallow, making it ideal for infants, children, and adults who are unable to take tablets or capsules.
Flexible Dosing: The liquid allows for precise and flexible dose adjustments, which is crucial for pediatric patients whose dosage is often calculated based on body weight.
High Efficacy: Acyclovir is a highly effective antiviral agent against herpesviruses, particularly herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), helping to shorten the duration and severity of outbreaks.
Safety Profile: Acyclovir has a well-established safety profile and is generally well-tolerated, with a low risk of serious side effects.
Uses
Oral and Genital Herpes: Used for the treatment of initial episodes, as well as for the long-term suppression of recurrent episodes of oral and genital herpes caused by HSV.
Chickenpox (Varicella): Can be used to treat chickenpox in certain high-risk individuals, such as adolescents and adults, to reduce the severity and duration of the illness.
Herpes Zoster (Shingles): Indicated for the treatment of shingles, particularly to reduce the severity of the rash and the risk of post-herpetic neuralgia.
Immunocompromised Patients: Used for the treatment and prophylaxis of herpesvirus infections in patients who are immunocompromised.
Nature
Synthetic Guanosine Analog: Acyclovir is a synthetic analog of the nucleoside guanosine, one of the building blocks of DNA.
Mechanism of Action: In infected cells, viral thymidine kinase converts acyclovir to its monophosphate form. Host enzymes then convert this to the active acyclovir triphosphate, which then competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase, leading to the termination of the growing viral DNA chain.
Inhibition of Viral Replication: By terminating viral DNA synthesis, acyclovir effectively blocks the replication of the herpesvirus, but it does not eradicate the virus from the body entirely.
Bioavailability: The oral bioavailability of acyclovir is relatively low and incomplete, which is why the liquid may be dosed differently than the tablets and is often administered multiple times a day.
Storage
Temperature: Store Acyclovir Oral Liquid at controlled room temperature, typically between 20∘C to 25∘C (68∘F to 77∘F).
Protection: Keep the bottle in its original packaging, protected from light and moisture.
Administration: The bottle should be shaken well before each use to ensure the drug is evenly suspended. A calibrated measuring device should be used for accurate dosing.
Child Safety: Store the medication in a secure location, out of the reach of children and pets.
