Drug Name Dosages Therapeutic Indications Adverse effects Contraindications Nursing considerations

Actions
acyclovir ADULTS  Antiviral  Initial and Systemic  Contraindicated Assessment
(acycloguanosi activity; recurrent administration with allergy to  History: Allergy
ne) Parenteral inhibits viral mucosal and  CNS: acyclovir, to acyclovir,
(ay sye' kloe ver)  5–10 mg/kg DNA cutaneous Headache, seizures, CHF, seizures, CHF,
infused IV over replication. HSV-1 and vertigo, renal disease, renal disease,
1 hr, q 8 hr (15 HSV-2 and depression, lactation. lactation,
Alti-Acyclovir mg/kg/day) for varicella tremors, pregnancy
(CAN), Avirax 7–10 days. zoster encephalopat  Use cautiously  Physical: Skin
(CAN), Zovirax infections in hic changes with pregnancy. color, lesions;
Oral immunocomp  Dermatologic orientation; BP,
Pregnancy  Initial genital romised : P, auscultation,
Category B herpes: 200 mg patients Inflammation perfusion,
q 4 hr (1,000 or phlebitis at edema; R,
    Drug class mg/day) for 10  Severe initial injection adventitious
 Antiviral days. and recurrent sites, rash, sounds; urinary
 Purine  Long-term genital hair loss output; BUN,
nucleosi suppressive herpes creatinine
de therapy: 400 infections in  GI: Nausea, clearance
analogu mg bid for up to selected vomiting,
e 12 mo. patients diarrhea, Interventions
anorexia
 Acute herpes  Herpes Systemic administration
zoster: 800 mg simplex  GU:  Ensure that the
q 4 hr five encephalitis Crystalluria patient is well
times daily for with rapid IV hydrated.
 Treatment of administratio
7–10 days.
neonatal n, hematuria
herpes Topical administration
 Chickenpox:  Start treatment
800 mg qid for simplex virus Topical
infections as soon as
5 days. administration
possible after
 Dermatologic onset of signs
 Acute
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS : Transient and symptoms.
treatment of
burning at
herpes zoster  Wear a rubber
site of
(shingles) glove or finger
Parenteral application
and cot when
 HSV infections chickenpox applying drug.
< 12 yr: 10
mg/kg infused  Ointment: Teaching points
IV over 1 hr q 8 Initial HSV
hr for 7 days. genital Systemic administration
 Shingles, HSV infections;  Complete the full
 encephalitis: 20 limited course of oral
mg/kg IV over 1 mucocutaneo therapy, and do
hr q 8 hr for 10 us HSV not exceed the
days. infections in prescribed dose.
immunocomp  Oral acyclovir is
 Neonatal HSV: romised not a cure for
10 mg/kg patients your disease but
infused over 1 should make you
hr q 8 hr for 10  Cream: feel better.
days. Recurrent
herpes  Avoid sexual
Oral labialis (cold intercourse while
 < 2 yr: Safety sores) in visible lesions
not established. patients > 12 are present.
 2 yr and < 40 yr
kg: 20 mg/kg  You may
per dose qid  Unlabeled experience these
(80 mg/kg/day) uses: side effects:
for 5 days. Cytomegalovi Nausea,
rus and HSV vomiting, loss of
 40 kg: Use infection appetite,
adult dosage. following diarrhea;
transplant, headache,
 12 yr: Use adult herpes dizziness.
dosage. simplex
infections,  Report difficulty
varicella urinating, rash,
pneumonia, increased
disseminated severity or
primary frequency of
eczema recurrences.
herpeticum
Topical administration
 Wear rubber
gloves or finger
cots when
applying the
drug to prevent
autoinoculation
of other sites
and transmission
to others.
 This drug does
not cure the
 disease;
application
during symptom-
free periods will
not prevent
recurrences.

 Avoid sexual
intercourse while
visible lesions
are present.

 This drug may

cause burning,
stinging, itching,
rash; notify your
physician if
these are
pronounced.