Aclovir 500 mg – Ingredients and Usage

The active substance in Aclovir 500 mg Injection is Acyclovir, a potent synthetic nucleoside analogue. The 500 mg vial contains a sterile lyophilized powder that must be reconstituted and diluted for slow intravenous (IV) infusion. This concentration is reserved for severe or systemic viral infections.

Indications include:

• Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
• Severe initial or recurrent genital herpes
• Mucocutaneous HSV infections in immunocompromised patients
• Varicella-Zoster infections (Shingles/Chickenpox) in immunocompromised individuals
• Neonatal Herpes Simplex Virus infection

How Aclovir 500 mg Works

Acyclovir works by selectively inhibiting the replication of herpes viruses. Its mechanism of action includes:

1. Viral Activation: In infected cells, viral Thymidine Kinase (TK) converts Acyclovir into its monophosphate form.
2. Active Form Conversion: Host enzymes convert this into the active form, Acyclovir triphosphate.
3. DNA Chain Termination: Acyclovir triphosphate is incorporated into viral DNA, causing chain termination and preventing further viral replication.

Aclovir 500 mg – Side Effects and Warnings

Because Aclovir 500 mg is administered intravenously, it may cause injection site reactions, nausea, vomiting, headache, or fatigue.

Warnings:

1. Renal Toxicity: Must be infused slowly over at least one hour. Rapid infusion or dehydration may cause kidney damage. Adequate hydration is essential.
2. Neurotoxicity: Confusion, tremors, hallucinations, or seizures may occur, especially in elderly patients or those with renal impairment.
3. TTP/HUS: Rare but serious blood disorders have been reported in immunocompromised patients receiving high doses.
4. Administration: For IV infusion only. Do not administer intramuscularly, subcutaneously, or as a rapid IV push.

Storage Conditions

• Store unopened vials at 15°C–25°C (59°F–77°F). Do not freeze.
• Protect from light by keeping vials in the original carton.
• Use reconstituted solutions immediately whenever possible. Stability is documented for up to 12 hours at room temperature, but immediate use is recommended.
• Any temporary precipitation in refrigerated solutions will dissolve again at room temperature.
• Keep out of reach of children.