Hascovir – properties, composition, contraindications, dosage

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Hascovir is a prescription medicine used primarily to treat cold sores, as well as varicella-zoster virus infections. The active substance of the preparation is acyclovir. When and how to use Hascovir? What are the contraindications, recommended precautions and possible side effects of taking the drug?

When is Hascovir used?

Hascovir is a drug containing acyclovir, an active substance used primarily in the treatment of diseases caused by viruses belonging to the Herpes group, i.e. causing herpes. Among the main indications for the use of Hascovir treatment of skin and mucosa infections caused by the herpes simplex virus, including primary and recurrent genital infections.

Hascovir is also intended to prevent recurrence of herpes infection in people with normal immunity. In immunocompromised patients, it can also prevent such infections. Hascovir is also used to treat chickenpox and shingles.

See also: Medicines for herpes – types, home remedies

Hascovir – composition

The main ingredient in Hascovir is acyclovir, an active ingredient with antiviral activity. The dose of acyclovir in a given product depends on the form of the drug; tablets delivering doses of 200 g, 400 g or 800 g of the active ingredient.

The excipients in Hascovir tablet are:

1. lactose jednowodna;
2. microcrystalline cellulose;
3. potato starch;
4. sodium carboxymethyl starch (type A);
5. magnesium stearate.

Hascovir – contraindications

What are the contraindications for Hascovir? The leaflet states that they should not reach for it people who are allergic to any of the ingredients of the preparation. Additionally, some patient groups should exercise caution, including:

1. elderly people;
2. pregnant and lactating women;
3. people with kidney disease.

Hascovir – precautions

Before using Hascovir, some people should consult their doctor first. This mainly applies to:

1. people with renal and hepatic impairment, with particular caution in the case of renal failure, dehydration and treatment with other drugs with acyclovir or which may damage the kidneys;
2. pregnant women – the doctor may decide to treat Hascovir only in situations where the therapy is necessary and its benefits outweigh the risks associated with the risk to the fetus;
3. breastfeeding women – after medical consultation it is possible to start taking Hascovir, but it is necessary to be cautious as the drug passes into breast milk;
4. people with lactose intolerance should inform their doctor about it before reaching for the drug;
5. People taking other medications, especially those with acyclovir – inform your doctor about current or recent medications.

Find out more: Smallpox in pregnancy, what is the danger?

Hascovir – drug dosage

The dosage depends on the nature of the disease being treated. Different doses are recommended for children, different for adults. Detailed dosage is determined by the physician. The recommended dose should not be increased as it will not cure the disease faster and may be harmful to your health.

Hascovir tablets can be taken with or without food. The dosage should be adjusted to the age and possible other diseases of the patient – it is recommended to take the drug in accordance with the package leaflet or the doctor’s instructions. Depending on the dose of aciclovir indicated for consumption, it is possible to select the drug in the appropriate form.

Dosage of Hascovir tablets in the treatment of adults:

1. herpes simplex virus – 5 doses of the drug 200 mg every 4 hours per day; the standard treatment time is five days;
2. prevention of recurrence of herpes simplex – in patients with normal immunity, it is recommended to use 4 doses of Hascovir, 200 mg every 6 hours during the day or twice a day (every 12 hours) a dose of 400 mg;
3. with reduced immunity, herpes infections can be prevented using the following dosage – 200 mg 4 times a day (every 6 hours); the doctor may recommend a dose change with a significant reduction in immunity (up to 400 mg);
4. treatment of varicella zoster virus infections – in a 7-day therapy, Hascovir is administered 5 times a day in doses of 800 mg (every 4 hours).

Dosage of Hascovir tablets in the treatment of children:

1. treatment and prevention of herpes simplex virus infections – for children 2 years of age or older Hascovir is dosed as for adults, children under 2 years of age should be given half the adult dose;
2. treatment of infections with the chickenpox virus (5-day treatment is recommended) – children from 6 years of age: doses of 800 mg 4 times a day; children aged 2–5 years: doses of 400 mg 4 times a day; children under 2 years of age: doses of 200 mg 4 times a day; you can determine the dose of the drug based on body weight, which is 20 mg / kg body weight, but not more than 800 mg.

Administering Hascovir to the elderly

The treatment of the elderly should be carried out with caution, especially if they suffer from renal dysfunction. It is recommended to administer Hascovir, starting with a lower dose. When taking larger doses, it is advisable to drink more fluids.

Administration of Hascovir in patients with impaired kidney function

Renal impairment requires the dosage of aciclovir to be adjusted and fluid intake to be increased. In case of severe renal failure and herpes virus infection, the drug is administered twice a day in a dose of 200 mg, and in the case of smallpox and herpes zoster – twice a day, 800 mg of the drug. In moderate renal failure, the pox and herpes zoster virus is combated with a dose of 800 mg three times a day.

Overdose of Hascovir

When Hascovir is consumed in a single dose of up to 20 g, no symptoms of toxicity are observed, but repeated intake of higher than recommended doses of the drug for 7 days may cause the following symptoms:

1. nausea;
2. vomiting;
3. Headache;
4. entanglement.

Overdosage of Hascovir requires immediate consultation with a doctor or pharmacist. It may be necessary to perform hemodialysis.

Hascovir – side effects

Some patients may experience side effects while taking Hascovir. The most common are:

1. tiredness;
2. headache and dizziness;
3. gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain);
4. fever;
5. itching;
6. rash.

Less common side effects of taking the drug include mild skin reactions, including hives or hair loss, sometimes also shortness of breath, anaphylactic reaction or angioedema. The very rare side effects include: drowsiness, light-headedness, hallucinations, agitation, anemia, seizures, jaundice, hepatitis, or severe kidney failure.

Hascovir – types of drug

Hascovir is a drug available in various forms that facilitate the selection of the appropriate dosage, as well as the adjustment of the drug form to the disease:

1. tablets, incl Hascovir (200, 400, 800 mg), Hascovir Control (200 mg), Hascovir Control Max (400 mg);
2. oral suspension (200 mg / 5 ml; 400 mg / 5 ml);
3. gel – Hascovir Lipożel (50 mg/g);
4. cream – Hascovir pro (50 mg/g).

Read also:

1. Genital herpes – how do we get infected?
2. Herpes in children – causes, symptoms
3. Smallpox vaccination – safety and contraindications

Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.