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Herpesafe 5% Gel

Manufactured byAlkem Laboratories Ltd.
ContainsAciclovir
Description
Herpesafe 5% Gel is an antiviral agent which is used in the treatment of infections caused by herpes virus such as chickenpox and herpes zoster. The effect of this medicine is higher if it is started as soon as symptoms appear.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Herpesafe 5% Gel

  • Swelling and redness at the injection site
  • Abdominal pain
  • Increased thirst
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unusual tiredness and weakness
  • Black or tarry stools
  • Fever with chills
  • Seizures
  • Unusual bleeding
  • Diarrhea
  • Headache

Uses of Herpesafe 5% Gel

What is it prescribed for?

  • Herpes Zoster Infections
  • Genital Herpes
  • Chickenpox
Read More
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • How long does it take for this medicine to take effect?
    The peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1.5 to 2 hours after an oral dose and 2 hours after an intravenous dose.
  • How long do the effects of this medicine last?
    The effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 9 to 12 hours.
  • Is it safe to consume alcohol while taking this medicine?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is this a habit forming medicine?
    No habit tendencies have been reported.
  • Can this medicine be taken during pregnancy?
    This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
  • Can this medicine be taken while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is excreted through the breastmilk. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of any undesired effects is necessary.

Allergy

If you have a known allergy to Herpesafe 5% Gel or any other medicine belongs to the class anti-herpes virals.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is excreted through the breastmilk. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of any undesired effects is necessary.
General warnings

Hydration

Herpesafe 5% Gel may increase the risk of kidney injury when taken with other medicines that cause kidney injury. Adequate water should be consumed to prevent the accumulation of the medicine.

Impaired kidney function

Herpesafe 5% Gel is used with caution in the patients with the severe kidney injury. Suitable dose adjustments are to be made based on the clinical condition.

Elderly population

Herpesafe 5% Gel is used with caution in the elderly population with kidney injury or liver injury due to increase in the risk of neurological problems. Dose adjustments are to be made based on the clinical condition.

Pediatric population

The safety and efficacy of the oral formulation of Herpesafe 5% Gel has not been established in children less than 2 years of age.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Phenytoin

Tacrolimus

Sulfasalazine

Disease interactions

Impaired kidney function

Herpesafe 5% Gel should be used with caution in the patients with the pre-existing kidney injury. Inform the doctor if you experience any symptoms of sudden weight gain, changes in the frequency of urination. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.

Neurological disorder

Use of high-dose intravenous Herpesafe 5% Gel may increase the risk of neurotoxicity, especially in the elderly population with a neurological disorder, kidney or liver injury. Inform the doctor if you experience any symptoms of tremors, confusion, and seizures. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Herpesafe 5% Gel with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. Drink adequate amount of water in order to reduce the risk of kidney injury.
Miscelleneous

Food timings: Information not available

Administration time: Information not available

Sleep inducing: Information not available

How it works
It works by inhibiting the viral DNA synthesis and replication by inhibiting the DNA polymerase enzyme.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antiviral agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Acyclovir Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugs.com/acyclovir.html

[Internet]. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/32808

DailyMed - ACYCLOVIR- acyclovir capsule ACYCLOVIR- acyclovir tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=d13b8cdd-59fd-472b-8125-a19f42ef5402

Zovirax (acyclovir) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more [Internet]. Reference.medscape.com. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

http://reference.medscape.com/drug/zovirax-acyclovir-342601

Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

https://www.tga.gov.au/prescribing-medicines-pregnancy-database#searchname

TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:

https://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgi-bin/sis/search2/f?./temp/~5GaPoc:1
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Information on this page was last updated on 7 Aug 2017

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