When can Acyclovir be prescribed for the treatment of chickenpox in young children?
The use of acyclovir in the occurrence of chickenpox in children is possible only in those situations when the disease occurs in severe form. So, quite often this medicine is prescribed in those situations when the baby is born with a congenital form of chicken pox. As a rule, in children under one year, this disease is very difficult, therefore, antiviral drugs are indispensable.
How correctly to take Acyclovir during the treatment of chicken pox in children?
To begin with, it must be said that, regardless of the age of the child, all prescriptions of the drug should be done solely by the doctor. As a rule, in severe form of the disease, treatment is carried out in a hospital setting. In such cases, the drug is prescribed as follows: up to 24 months - 1 tablet (200 mg of the drug) 2-3 times a day, to babies after 2 years - 2 tablets up to 3-5 times a day. Dosage of Acyclovir with the observed chickenpox in children is always selected individually and necessarily corresponds to the stage of the disease, its severity. The duration of antiviral therapy is on average 5-10 days.
Also in the treatment of chickenpox, children can use Acyclovir ointment. In such cases, 5% liniment is used, which is applied to the skin lesions by rashes. Carry out this procedure at least 4-5 times a day. It not only helps reduce the itching, but also reduces the amount of rashes, which is already observed on the 2-3 day of the drug.
What are the main contraindications to the use of Acyclovir?
It is necessary to say once again that in order to determine if Acyclovir is to be given with chickenpox to a child, it is necessary to consult a doctor. This will avoid negative consequences.
When the drug is appointed as a doctor, the mother must very closely observe the reaction of the baby's body to the medicine in the first days. When the allergy develops and the condition worsens, the drug is canceled. This can be observed with an individual intolerance to the drug Acyclovir.
Also, with caution, the drug is prescribed in the presence of abnormalities in the excretory system, the state of dehydration and neurological disorders.
What side effects are possible with the drug?
When treating chickenpox in children with aciclovir tablets, side effects are rare. Among them are:
- from the central nervous system of the child - headache, weakness, dizziness, decreased attention;
- on the part of the digestive system - nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, mild pain in the abdomen;
disorders in the blood - a decrease in the number of erythrocytes and leukocytes.
When using the drug in the form of an ointment, such local reactions as skin peeling, irritation are possible.
In cases where the drug is administered intravenously, acute renal failure, encephalopathy (manifested in confusion, tremor (tremor) of the whole body, convulsions) may develop.
Thus, as can be seen from this article, the drug has quite a variety of side effects, the occurrence of which is possible if the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor are not observed. Therefore, do not use the medication yourself, without consulting a doctor.