Examples
|
| acyclovir | Zovirax |
| famciclovir | Famvir |
| foscarnet | Foscavir |
| penciclovir | Denavir |
| valacyclovir | Valtrex |
Antiviral medicines can be taken by mouth (orally), given
by injection into a vein (intravenous, or IV), or applied on the skin
(topically). Acyclovir is the antiviral medicine used most often to treat
chickenpox (varicella). But other antivirals may be
used.
Antiviral eye ointments are also available. They can be used
on your eyes to treat chickenpox blisters.
How It Works
Antiviral medicines stop the growth of
the chickenpox (varicella-zoster) virus.
Why It Is Used
Antiviral medicines may be
prescribed if a person has been exposed to chickenpox and can't get the chickenpox vaccine or antibodies to help prevent chickenpox.
These medicines may also be used to help treat chickenpox.
Antiviral medicines are generally given to people who are more likely to become
seriously ill or develop complications from chickenpox, such as:
- People who have a long-term illness, such as skin or lung
disease.
- People with
impaired immune systems.
- Pregnant women
with serious complications of chickenpox.
- Babies born early or
babies who have a low birth weight and whose mother had chickenpox.
These medicines are
usually NOT recommended for:
- Healthy children or adults as a way to prevent
them from having chickenpox if they have been exposed to the
illness.
- Healthy children as a way to treat chickenpox.
Antiviral medicines can help protect family
members of a person with chickenpox from getting chickenpox. But they aren't used regularly if a person's
symptoms are not severe or the illness is not causing problems for the
family.
How Well It Works
Antiviral medicines may shorten the
length of illness from chickenpox, cause fewer blisters to form, and help
blisters heal faster. They work best if taken right after the first signs of chickenpox rash appear.
It is not known whether antiviral medicines
reduce the chance of developing complications of chickenpox. Antiviral
medicines may reduce the complications of chickenpox, such as varicella
pneumonia, in people with impaired immune
systems.
Side Effects
Antiviral medicines have few side
effects. They include:
- Headache or feelings of general illness
(malaise).
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Diarrhea or
constipation. This is rare.
- Kidney problems in people who receive
large doses of acyclovir by rapid injection into a vein. This is rare.
The effect of antiviral medicines on pregnant women and
their fetuses is not known.
The effect of antiviral medicines on
immunity to chickenpox is not known.
See
Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not
available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Consider the following when
deciding whether to treat a family member with antiviral medicines:
- Antiviral medicines are expensive. The cost of
treatment includes both the medicine and visits to a doctor's
office.
- Treatment with antiviral medicines may reduce the length of
time you can pass the chickenpox virus to other people.
- It is not
clear whether antiviral medicines reduce lost time from work, school, or day
care.
- People who take these medicines need to
drink extra liquids to prevent kidney problems. People who have kidney problems
need to take a lower dose.
Acyclovir (Zovirax) is the most prescribed antiviral
medicine. It has fewer side effects than the other antiviral medicines. But it
does not reduce itching, nor does it stop the spread of the chickenpox virus
from one person to another.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Susan C. Kim, MD - Pediatrics |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Thomas Emmett Francoeur, MD, MDCM, CSPQ, FRCPC - Pediatrics |
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| Last Revised | April 12, 2010 |
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