INTRODUCTION

VIRAX 800MG contains Acyclovir which belongs to the group of medicines called antiviral agents. It is used to treat chicken pox and shingles infection in adult patients. Chickenpox and shingles are highly contagious viral infections caused by varicella zoster virus. Chicken pox usually causes an itchy, blister-like rash on the face, chest and back, whereas shingles appears as a single stripe of blisters on the left or right side of your body.

Acyclovir works by killing or stopping the growth and multiplication of virus in human cells. It is important to drink plenty of water while taking this medicine, to avoid dehydration. The most common side effects of taking this medicine are headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea or tiredness. Contact your doctor if any of these symptoms bothers you.

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have any kidney problems. This medicine should be used with caution in children, elderly patients and in patients with poor immune system. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant or breast-feeding, consult your doctor for advice before taking this medicine. This medicine is not recommended for use in children (under 18 years) and in severely immunocompromised patients.

USES OF VIRAX 800MG

• Treats chicken pox (varicella infection), shingles (herpes zoster infection) in adults

HOW VIRAX 800MG WORKS

Acyclovir works by killing or stopping the growth and multiplication of virus in human cells. It gets incorporated into the viral DNA and competitively inhibits the viral DNA polymerase enzyme which stops lengthening of viral DNA strand, prevents further multiplication of new viral cells and clears up the infection.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take this medicine as directed by your physician. Swallow the medicine as whole with a sip of water. If cannot be swallowed, it may be dispersed in a glass of water and stirred well before drinking. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending upon your age, body weight and intensity of the infection. Continue to take this medicine, as long as your doctor tells you to do so, to obtain better results.

SIDE EFFECTS OF VIRAX 800MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or vomiting:

Try taking this medicine with, or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Do not eat rich or spicy food.

Diarrhea:

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or juice, to avoid dehydration. Do not take any medicines without speaking to a doctor.

Stomach pain:

Try to rest and relax. You can eat and drink slowly or have smaller and frequent meals. Keeping a heat pad on your stomach may also help. If still pain persists, speak to your doctor.

Skin rash:

Avoid hot showers because hot water can irritate the skin. Do not rub or scratch the affected area. Use sunscreen and protective clothing when outdoors. Regularly use moisturizers to soothe and hydrate the affected area. If it does not get better, consult a doctor.

Headache:  

Rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not drink too much alcohol.

Feeling dizzy:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid traveling, driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. If the symptom still persists, contact your doctor for advice.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

Talk to your doctor, if you are taking,

• probenecid (a medicine used to treat gout)
• cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
• mycophenolate mofetil (used to prevent graft rejection)

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep out of reach of children
• Store below 25°C

FAQs ABOUT VIRAX 800MG

Can VIRAX 800MG be used in children?

No. This medicine is not recommended for use in children (under 18 years) and in severely immunocompromised patients. Discuss the risks with your doctor.

Can VIRAX 800MG cause dizziness?

Yes. This medicine may cause dizziness in some individuals. Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid traveling, driving or operating any tools or machines while you are feeling dizzy. If the symptom still persists, contact your doctor for advice.

Can elderly patients take VIRAX 800MG?

Yes. This medicine can be taken by elderly patients, but suitable caution should be exercised while taking. Proper dose adjustments and care are required in such patients.

REFERENCES

1. KD. Tripathi. Antiviral Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 799-800.

2. Edward P. Acosta and Charles Flexner. Antiviral agents (non-retroviral). Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological basics of Therapeutics. 12th Edition. New York McGraw Hill Medical 2011. Page – 1594-1600.

3. Gerald G. Briggs and Roger K. Freeman. A. A reference guide to fetal and neonatal risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. Tenth Edition. 2015. Page – 77-83.

4. EMS. Efficacy of Oral Famciclovir 125mg Comparing to Aciclovir 200 mg Treatment in Patients With Active Recurrent Genital Herpes. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised on July 2015] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01281007

5. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Acyclovir Therapy for Genital Herpes Ulcers in HIV Negative African Women. NIH U.S. National Library of Medicine ClinicalTrials.gov. [Revised on September 2017] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02053142

6. B L True, B L Carter. Update on acyclovir: oral therapy for herpesvirus infections. NIH National Library of Medicine, National center for biotechnology information. Pubmed.gov. November-December 1984. [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6096075/

7. Ciplamed. ACIVIR DT Tablets (Aciclovir). Ciplamed.com. [Revised on August 2015] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://www.ciplamed.com/content/acivir-dt-tablets#:~:text=ACIVIR%20DT%20is%20indicated%20for,infection%20in%20immunocompromised%20patients%3B%20VZV

8. Accord. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised on December 2019] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5691.pdf

9. Terapia S.A. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised on October 2019] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4334.pdf

10. Terapia S.A. and Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised on October 2019] [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4335.pdf

11. GlaxoSmithKline. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. June 2005. [Accessed 14th December 2020] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/018828s030,020089s019,019909s020lbl.pdf

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA PCR
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 DNA PCR
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgG
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgM
• Varicella Zoster IgG
• Varicella Zoster IgM