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acyclovir

Acyclovir Post-exposure Prophylaxis for Varicella: Is it helpful?

Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics, Jun 11, 2019May 31, 2020

Last updated on May 31, 2020

Dose: 80 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses for 7 days; maximum 800 mg 4 times a day

Time to start prophylaxis: 7-10 days after exposure (late incubation period)

Indication: People without evidence of immunity and with contraindications for varicella vaccination (VZIg) 1 https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2018/infectious-diseases-related-to-travel/varicella-chickenpox

acyclovir mechanism
CNX OpenStax [CC BY 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Results from some studies

Among 27 children in the treatment group, only 7.4% developed the disease while 77% of control subjects developed clinical varicella and seroconversion was observed in 63% of the patients. 2Lin TY, Huang YC, Ning HC, Hsueh C. Oral acyclovir prophylaxis of varicella after intimate contact. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 1997 Dec;16(12):1162-5. PubMed PMID: 9427463.

Among 25 children in the treatment group, only 16% developed the disease while 100% of control subjects developed the disease. Seroconversion was observed in 85% of subjects. The incidence of fever and the severity of skin rashes were significantly lower in the treatment group. 3Postexposure Prophylaxis of Varicella in Family Contact by Oral AcyclovirYoshizo Asano, Tetsushi Yoshikawa, Sadao Suga, Ikuko Kobayashi, ToshihikoNakashima, Takehiko Yazaki, Takao Ozaki, Akira Yamada, Jiro Imanishi Pediatrics Aug 1993, 92 (2) 219-222

Controversy

Some author mentions that additional data about acyclovir prophylaxis is needed because of the potential interference with the host response, which may predispose to early recurrent infection or incomplete protection from subsequent exposures, and enhanced selection of resistant VZV. He recommends, following the patient closely and giving the drug immediately after the onset of symptoms. 4Principles and Practice of Pediatric Infectious Disease By Sarah S. Long, Larry K. Pickering, Charles G. Prober

dr. sulabh kumar shrestha
Dr. Sulabh Kumar Shrestha, MS Orthopedics

He is the section editor of Orthopedics in Epomedicine. He searches for and share simpler ways to make complicated medical topics simple. He also loves writing poetry, listening and playing music.

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Shrestha SK. Acyclovir Post-exposure Prophylaxis for Varicella: Is it helpful? [Internet]. Epomedicine; 2019 Jun 11 [cited 2025 May 9]. Available from: https://epomedicine.com/blog/acyclovir-post-exposure-prophylaxis-varicella/.

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