Acyclovir dosage for neonatal herpes and duration for herpes encephalitis in adults
Article Abstract:
In the August 10, 1990 issue of The Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics, the dosage listed for acyclovir for the treatment of neonatal herpes simplex infections (500 mg/square meter, IV every 8 hours for 10 days) may be too high for newborn infants (neonates). This dosage is being used to treat herpes encephalitis, inflammation of the brain caused by the herpes virus, in children over six months of age. The recommended dosage for neonatal herpes at this time is 10 mg/kg IV every eight hours for 10 days. In the same article, a footnote stated that a longer duration of therapy, 14 days versus the 10 days recommended by the acyclovir manufacturer, is recommended in biopsy-proven herpes simplex encephalitis in adults. The 'in biopsy-proven' should have been left out, as many people do not have a biopsy performed. Fourteen-day acyclovir treatment is probably better in preventing relapses than 10-day therapy. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Medical Letter on Drugs and Therapeutics
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0025-732X
Year: 1990
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Acyclovir for the prevention of recurrent herpes simplex virus eye disease
Article Abstract:
The drug acyclovir appears to be effective in preventing recurrent eye infections with the herpes simplex virus. These infections can cause loss of vision. Researchers randomly assigned 703 patients with a history of ocular herpes simplex to take 400 milligrams of acyclovir or a placebo twice a day. During the 12-month treatment, 19% of the group taking acyclovir had a recurrence, compared to 32% of the placebo group. Acyclovir also reduced the recurrence of orofacial herpes.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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Acyclovir for recurrent herpes simplex virus ocular disease
Article Abstract:
People with recurring herpes simplex infections in their eyes should be treated with acyclovir. The herpes simplex virus causes about 50,000 cases of eye infection in the US each year and is one of the major causes of corneal blindness. If it affects the outer layer of the cornea it is easily treated but it can cause loss of vision if it affects the inner layer. A 1998 study found that oral acyclovir reduced the rate of recurrence by 45% with few serious side effects.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
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