Penciclovir

Pharmacological properties

penciclovir exhibits high selectivity in vivo and in vitro against herpes simplex human herpes viruses (type 1 and type 2), including against acyclovir-resistant strains with altered DNA polymerase, varicella zoster virus, and epstein viruses - barr and cytomegalovirus. in the cells infected with the virus, penciclovir is rapidly converted to triphosphate (with the participation of thymidine kinase, which is induced by the virus). Penciclovir triphosphate is found in virus-infected cells for more than 12 hours, where it inhibits the replication of viral dna, that is, significantly longer than acyclovir. blocking the reproduction of the virus, penciclovir significantly reduces the healing time even after the development of papules and vesicles, reduces pain and the duration of the peeling of the crust, which is formed by viral exposure. t½ is 9; 10 and 20 hours in cells infected with varicella zoster, herpes simplex type 1 and herpes simplex type 2 viruses, respectively. in uninfected cells treated with penciclovir, the concentration of penciclovir triphosphate is practically not determined. therefore, penciclovir does not affect cells not infected with the virus.

Pharmacokinetics With external use of 1% cream, the concentration of penciclovir in blood plasma and urine is not quantified.

Indications

Herpes lips (herpes labialis).

Application

Adults (including elderly patients) and children over 12 years old.

The cream should be applied every 2 hours (except for the period of sleep). The course of treatment is 4 days. It is advisable to start treatment as soon as possible when the first signs of infection develop. Before applying the cream, wash your hands.

Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to penciclovir, famciclovir, or to other components of the drug (e.g. propylene glycol).

Side effects

General disorders and disorders at the injection site: often (≥1 / 100, 1/10) reactions at the injection site (including pain at the site of application, hypesthesia, burning, tingling, numbness).

On the part of the immune system: frequency unknown: hypersensitivity reactions, including urticaria.

On the part of the skin and subcutaneous tissue: frequency unknown: allergic dermatitis (including rash, itching, blisters and swelling, including the face and lips).

In addition, cases of contact dermatitis (as a reaction to cetostearyl alcohol) and irritation at the site of application (as a reaction to propylene glycol) are possible. There were no cases of increased photosensitivity (pigmentation due to ultraviolet rays on the cream treated skin areas) during clinical trials of Aflubin Penciclovir cream.

special instructions

The cream should be applied only to areas affected by herpes on the lips or on the skin around the mouth. It is not recommended to apply the cream to the mucous membrane (e.g. eyes, mouth, nose or genitals). special care should be taken to avoid getting the cream in the eyes or on the areas around them.

If after 4 days of cream therapy the symptoms of the disease have not disappeared, you should consult a doctor.

To prevent the spread of the virus to other parts of the body and not to infect surrounding people, the following rules should be followed:

• always wash your hands before and after touching the affected area;
• keep the cream tube in its original packaging; do not allow other people to use the cream;
• try not to pierce the bubbles formed as a result of a long viral action;
• try not to rub your eyes (the virus can affect the cornea of ​​the eye);
• avoid kisses, especially with children;
• Avoid sharing things through which the virus can spread: a towel, a cup, tableware, cigarettes.

The cream contains cetostearyl alcohol, which can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).The cream also contains propylene glycol, which can cause skin irritation.

Use during pregnancy and lactation. Since clinical trials recorded a minimum level of systemic absorption of penciclovir after topical application, there is no concern about the use of cream during pregnancy and lactation. Since the safety of using penciclovir during pregnancy and lactation has not been investigated, the drug should be used during this period only after consulting a doctor if the expected benefits of the use for the mother outweigh the potential risk to the fetus / baby.

There is no information on the release of penciclovir into breast milk.

Children. A study of the effect of the drug on children under the age of 12 years has not been conducted.

The ability to influence the reaction rate when driving vehicles or working with other mechanisms. There is no effect on the ability to drive vehicles or operate machinery.

Interactions

During clinical studies of interactions with the simultaneous use of the drug Aflubin, penciclovir with other drugs (topical or systemic effects) was not detected.

Overdose

When applied topically, an overdose is unlikely. even if the contents of the whole package are mistakenly taken, there will be no undesirable effects, since the oral absorption of penciclovir is low. however, some irritation of the oral cavity is possible. there is no need for specific therapeutic measures in case of mistaken ingestion of the contents of the whole package.

Storage conditions

At a temperature not exceeding 30 ° C. do not freeze.