Pharmacology for Dentistry

338 Section 9/ Chemotherapy

Adverse reactions include nausea, vom-
iting, fatigue, diarrhoea and abdominal pain,
rashes including photosensitivity, urticaria,
pruritus, increase in blood urea and creatinine,
reversible rise in bilirubin and liverrelated en-
zymes. Neurological adverse effects are
headache, dizziness, confusional state, hallu-
cinations, somnolence and convulsions.

Indications

• Treatment of herpes simplex virus
  infection of the skin and mucous
  membrane, including initial and
  recurrent genital herpes.
  
  
  • For the prevention of recurrences of
    herpes simplex infection in immuno-
    competent patients.
  
  
  • Prophylaxis of herpes simplex infection
    in immunocompromised patients.
  
  
  • Treatment of varicella (chickenpox) and
    herpes zoster (shingles) infections. Early
    treatment of shingles with acyclovir can
    reduce the incidence of post-herpetic
    neuralgia (zosterassociated pain).
  
  
  
  

Dosage

For treatment of herpes simplex in

adults: 200 mg five times daily for five days.

Table 9.6.1: Classification of antiviral agents.

I. Antiherpes agents

Idoxuridine (RIDINOX)

Acyclovir (ZOVIRAX)

Famciclovir (FAMTRAX)

Valacyclovir

Ganciclovir

II. Antiretroviral agents

a. Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Zidovudine (RETROVIR)

Lamivudine (HEPITEC)

Stavudine (STAVIR)

Didanosine (DINEX)

b. Nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Nevirapine (NEVIMUNE)

Efavirenz (EFAVIR)

c. Retroviral protease inhibitors

Indinavir (INDIVIR)

Ritonavir

Saquinanir

Nelfinavir

III.Antiinfluenza virus agents

Amantadine

Rimantadine

Zanamavir

Ribavarin (RIBAVIN)

Interferons