Xovir - IV 500 Infusion (250mg/vial)

Xovir is an antiviral medicine. It helps in treating viral infections like herpes labialis, herpes simplex virus infections, shingles, genital herpes infection, and chickenpox. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells and therefore helps in clearing the infection. Xovir should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking it. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage. Some side effects of this medicine include headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Inform your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Uses of Xovir

• Herpes simplex virus infections
• Chickenpox
• Herpes labialis
• Shingles
• Genital herpes infection

Side effects of Xovir

Common

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Skin rash
• Photophobia

How to use Xovir

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Xovir may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

How Xovir works

Xovir is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

What if you forget to take Xovir?

If you miss a dose of Xovir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Quick Tips

• Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
• Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
• If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.
• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Brief Description

Indication

Oral Primary herpes simplex infections Adult: 200 mg 5 times daily every 4 hr for 5-10 days; for severely immuno compromised patients and those with impaired absorption: 400 mg 5 times daily for 5 days. Suppression of recurrent herpes simplex Adult: 800 mg daily in 2-4 divided doses. May reduce to 400-600 mg daily if necessary. Reassess the condition every 6-12 mth. For mild or infrequent recurrences: Episodic treatment may be used: 200 mg 5 times daily for 5 days, preferably begun during the prodromal period. Prophylaxis of herpes simplex in immunocompromised patients Adult: 200-400 mg 4 times daily. Varicella zoster 800 mg 5 times/day for 5-7 days. Herpes zoster 800 mg 5 times/day for 7-10 days.

Administration

Probenecid, cimetidine and mycophenolate mofetil may increase the plasma concentration of aciclovir. Increased nephrotoxic effects w/ drugs that affect renal physiology (e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus).

Adult Dose

Renal impairment. Pregnancy, lactation. Neurological abnormalities with significant hypoxia, serious hepatic or electrolyte abnormalities. Maintain adequate hydration. Lactation: Drug enters breast milk; use with caution.

Renal Dose

Activity against HSV types I and II and varicella-zoster virus is due to intracellular conversion of aciclovir to the monophosphate by viral thymidine kinase with subsequent conversion to the diphosphate and active triphosphate by cellular enzymes. This active form inhibits viral DNA synthesis and replication by interfering with viral DNA polymerase enzyme and being incorporated into viral DNA.

Contraindication

Child: PO 900 mg/m2/day q8h 60–80 mg/kg/day (max 4 g/day) q6–8h Varicella Zoster (Chickenpox) >2 years and <40 kg: 20 mg/kg/dose PO q6hr for 5 days; not to exceed 800 mg/dose >10 mL/min/1.73 m²: 200 mg q4hr (five times daily) 400 mg every 12 hr 0-10 mL/min/1.73 m²: 200 mg q12hr >10 mL/min/1.73 m²: 400 mg q12hr 800 mg every 4 hr 0-10 mL/min/1.73 m²: 800 mg q12hr 10-25 mL/min/1.73 m²: 800 mg q8hr >25 mL/min/1.73 m²: 800 mg q4hr (five times daily)

Mode of Action

May be taken with or without food. May be taken w/ meals to reduce GI discomfort. Reconstitution: Add 10 mL or 20 mL of sterile water for inj to a vial labeled as containing 500 mg or 1,000 mg of aciclovir, respectively, to provide a soln containing 50 mg/mL. The appropriate dose of reconstituted soln should then be withdrawn from the vial and diluted w/ 50-125 mL of a compatible IV infusion soln.

Precaution

Herpes simplex infections, Varicella zoster (chickenpox), Herpes zoster (shingles), Genital herpes

Pregnancy Category Note

>10% Oral Malaise (<12%) 1-10% Parenteral Inflammation or phlebitis at injection site (9%),Nausea (7%),Vomiting (7%),Rash or hives (2%),Elevated transaminase levels (1-2%) Oral Nausea (2-5%),Vomiting (<3%),Diarrhea (2-3%),Headache (2%) <1% Abdominal pain,Aggression/confusion,Agitation,Alopecia,Anaphylaxis,Anemia,Angioedema,Anorexia,Ataxia,Coma,Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC),Dizziness,Fatigue Potentially Fatal: Occasionally neurotoxicity after IV use: Lethargy, confusion, agitation, tremors, seizures, coma.