Gerpevir
Gerpevir: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Drug interactions
- 10. Analogs
- 11. Terms and conditions of storage
- 12. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 13. Reviews
- 14. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Herpevir
ATX code: D06BB03
Active ingredient: Acyclovir (Aciclovir)
Producer: Corporation "Arterium" (Ukraine)
Description and photo update: 2019-12-08
Gerpevir is an antiviral agent with an immunostimulating effect.
Release form and composition
Dosage forms of Gerpevir:
- Tablets (10 pieces in a blister strip, 1 package - 0.4 g or 2 packages - 0.2 g in a cardboard box);
- Cream for external use 5% (5 or 10 g in a tube, 1 tube in a cardboard box).
The active ingredient is acyclovir:
- 1 tablet - 0.2 g or 0.4 g;
- 1 g cream - 0.05 g.
Auxiliary components of tablets: low molecular weight medical polyvinylpyrrolidone, potato starch, calcium stearate.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Acyclovir is effective against herpes zoster and herpes simplex viruses. Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus are also susceptible to it. The substance interacts with viral enzymes and prevents their reproduction.
Penetrating into infected cells, acyclovir is converted into acyclovir monophosphate, and then sequentially into acyclovir diphosphate and acyclovir triphosphate. The latter compound significantly inhibits the synthesis of viral DNA, practically without affecting healthy cells.
With herpes, Gerpevir prevents the spread of skin rashes, dries them, accelerating the formation of a crust, reduces the risk of skin dissemination and visceral complications, and reduces the intensity of pain during exacerbation of herpes zoster. Also, the drug is characterized by immunomodulatory properties.
Pharmacokinetics
After oral administration, acyclovir is partially absorbed (approximately 20%). It penetrates well into all tissues and body fluids, including breast milk.
The maximum concentration of the active substance is determined by the dosage. On average, it is registered 90–120 minutes after administration. The half-life is approximately 3 hours, and in the case of renal failure, 19.5 hours.
Acyclovir is excreted mainly in the urine unchanged. With increasing age of the patient, the time for elimination of this substance from the body increases.
When applied topically, acyclovir practically does not penetrate the systemic circulation and has a slight systemic effect. When the drug is applied to the affected area of the skin, a therapeutic concentration of the active substance is created on it, providing a therapeutic effect for at least 5 hours.
Indications for use
According to the instructions, Gerpevir in tablet form is used for the following diseases / conditions:
- Infections of the mucous membranes and skin caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, including genital herpes, primary or recurrent;
- Shingles in patients with a normal immune system;
- Chicken pox;
- Prevention of Herpes simplex type 1 and 2 virus in patients with impaired immune system.
The cream is used to treat infections of the mucous membranes and skin, including herpes of the lips, which are caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2.
Contraindications
Both dosage forms of Gerpevir should not be taken in case of hypersensitivity to the components.
Additional contraindications to the use of tablets:
- Severe renal dysfunction;
- Dehydration of the body;
- Elderly age.
The use of Gerpevir during pregnancy is made exclusively for health reasons, if the expected benefit to the mother outweighs the potential risk to the fetus.
If it is necessary to use tablets during lactation, breastfeeding should be discontinued for the duration of treatment.
Instructions for the use of Gerpevir: method and dosage
Gerpevir tablets are taken orally, can be taken simultaneously with food, they should be washed down with plenty of liquid. It is recommended to start using the drug if the first signs of the disease appear.
Dosing in the treatment of children:
- Primary infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2): up to 2 years - 0.1 g each (1/2 tablet 0.2 g each), over 2 years - 0.2 g 5 times a day every 4 hours (except for a night's sleep), the course of treatment is 5-7 days;
- Infections caused by the chickenpox and shingles virus: up to 2 years - 0.2 g each, from 2 to 6 years - 0.4 g each or at the rate of 20 mg per 1 kg of child's weight (but not more than 0.8 d), over 6 years old - 0.8 g. Tablets are taken 4 times a day, the course of treatment is at least 5 days.
Dosing for adult patients:
- Treatment of primary infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2: 0.2 g 5 times a day for 5 days;
- Treatment of infections caused by Varicella zoster (chickenpox, shingles): 0.8 g 5 times a day (every 4 hours, except for a night's sleep), a course of therapy for at least 7 days;
- Prevention of infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2: with normal immunity - 0.2 g 4 times a day every 6 hours or 0.4 g 2 times a day after 12 hours (it is allowed to reduce the daily dose to 0, 6 g in 2-3 doses). For patients with significant immunodeficiency - 0.4 g 4 times a day, the period of the preventive course is set by the doctor;
- Treatment of patients with immunodeficiency, including in case of malabsorption in the intestine, after bone marrow or organ transplantation: 0.4 g 5 times a day. The reception period is 5 to 10 days.
For elderly patients and with impaired renal excretory function, it is recommended to reduce the dose and carry out treatment under the mandatory supervision of a physician.
Gerpevir in the form of a cream is applied topically: it is applied in a thin layer to the infected skin areas in a circular motion, starting from the borderline healthy area to the center of the lesion. The procedure should be carried out every 4 hours, but no more than 5 times a day for 5-10 days.
Side effects
The use of Gerpevir tablets can cause the following side effects:
- From the digestive system: nausea, lack of appetite, vomiting, intestinal colic, diarrhea;
- From the side of the central nervous system: dizziness, fatigue, headache;
- From the hematopoietic system: deterioration of blood counts;
- Allergic reactions: itching, skin rash, edema, fever;
- Changes in laboratory parameters: increased levels of urea, hepatic transaminases, bilirubin, creatinine;
- Other: very rarely - alopecia.
The use of Gerpevir cream can cause redness, peeling, itching, tingling or burning sensation at the application site, and sometimes allergic dermatitis.
Overdose
An overdose of cream for external use can lead to burns, peeling, erythema, and a burning sensation at the application sites. In this situation, the drug should be discontinued immediately.
Taking Gerpevir tablets in high doses often provokes symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, renal failure, headache, convulsions, shortness of breath, lethargy, and coma. Overdose treatment consists in constant monitoring and maintenance of vital functions. Hemodialysis is recommended.
special instructions
If taking pills for a week in women with genital herpes does not give a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to consult a doctor (patients with genital herpes have an increased risk of cervical cancer).
Treatment with Gerpevir in tablets must be accompanied by monitoring of laboratory indications of renal function - the level of urea nitrogen in the blood and creatinine in the blood plasma.
Chickenpox therapy is more effective if started within 24 hours after the rash appears.
During the treatment of genital herpes, unprotected sexual intercourse should be avoided, and when using condoms, it should be borne in mind that topical application of the cream reduces their strength and reliability.
Avoid getting the cream on the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth.
Drug interactions
The combination of Gerpevir with probenecid slows down the elimination of acyclovir.
The use of the drug simultaneously with nephrotoxic agents enhances their effect, especially with functional disorders of the kidneys.
Analogs
The analogues of Gerpevir are: Aldara, Viru-Merz Serol, Zovirax, Zovirax Duo-Active, Acyclovir, Gévizosh, Virolex, Atsik, Bonafton, Fenistil Pencivir, Gerpferon, Lizozyme, Epigen Intim, Condilin.
Terms and conditions of storage
Keep out of the reach of children. Store in a dark, dry place at temperatures up to 25 ° C. Shelf life of tablets - 3 years, cream - 2 years. It is forbidden to store the cream in the refrigerator.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Dispensed by prescription.
Reviews about Gerpevir
There are a variety of reviews about Gerpevir. They are especially controversial in the case of a cream for external use. He helped some patients quickly and effectively, while others admit the ineffectiveness of the treatment. Some patients do not like this form of release of the drug, since it spreads easily, contributes to the appearance of an ugly oily sheen and practically does not provide regeneration. However, positive opinions about Gerpevir are also found: they say that people managed to get rid of herpes in just a few days and painlessly.
In tablet form, the drug has almost 100% positive reviews. It is convenient for patients to use this dosage form. Gerpevir effectively acts on pathogens of herpes and other diseases and can be used for prevention.
Price for Gerpevir in pharmacies
At the moment, the price of Gerpevir is unknown, since all of its dosage forms are not available for sale.
Anna Kozlova Medical journalist About the author
Education: Rostov State Medical University, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!
