Acyclovir 5% + Hydrocortisone 1% Topical
Indications
Acyclovir 5% + Hydrocortisone 1% Topical is used for:
Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores)
Adult Dose
Adults:
The cream should be topically applied 5 times per day for 5 days. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible after the first signs and symptoms.
Child Dose
Children >6 years :
The cream should be topically applied 5 times per day for 5 days. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible after the first signs and symptoms.
Renal Dose
Administration
Contra Indications
Hypersensitivity.
Precautions
Aciclovir and Hydrocortisone should not be used in the eye, inside the mouth or nose, or on the genitals. Patients should seek medical advice when a cold sore fails to heal within 2 weeks.
Pregnancy-Lactation
Pregnancy Category: B
Lactation: Unknown whether topical product distributed in breast milk, caution advised
Interactions
Side Effects
Side effects of Acyclovir 5% + Hydrocortisone 1% Topical :
The following most common adverse reactions (< 1%) were local skin reactions like drying or flaking of the skin; burning or tingling, erythema; pigmentation changes, application site reactions including signs and symptoms of inflammation.
Mode of Action
Aciclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with inhibitory activity against Herpes simplex viruses type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2) in cell culture and in vivo. The inhibitory activity of Aciclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by HSV. This viral enzyme converts Aciclovir into Aciclovir monophosphate, a nucleotide analogue. The monophosphate is further converted into diphosphate by cellular guanylate kinase and into triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes.
In cell culture, Aciclovir Triphosphate stops replication of herpes viral DNA. This inhibition is accomplished in 3 ways: 1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, 2) incorporation into and termination of the growing viral DNA chain, and 3) inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase.
Hydrocortisone is the main glucocorticoid secreted by the adrenal cortex. It is used topically for its anti-inflammatory effects which suppress the clinical manifestations of the disease in a wide range of disorders where inflammation is a prominent feature.