Doses - ACYCLOVIR

Birds:

For treatment of Pacheco's Disease:
a) 80 mg/kg PO q8h or 40 mg/kg q8h IM (do not use parenterally for greater than 72 hours as it can cause tissue necrosis at site of injection) (Oglesbee and Bishop 1994b)
b) 80 mg/kg in oral suspension once daily PO; mix suspension with peanut butter or add to drinking water 50 mg in 4 oz of water for 7-14 days. (Jenkins 1993)
Cats: In cases of confirmed feline herpes virus infection (corneal and/or conjunctival) in which resolution is not achieved with time, time + antiviral topical agents: One 200 mg capsule
PO qid. Mixed results have been achieved. It is important to monitor the CBC of cats.
Leukopenia and a mild non regenerative anemia which reversed with cessation of treatment have been noted in some cats. (Olivero 1994)
Monitoring Parameters - 1) Renal function tests (BUN, Serum Cr) with prolonged or IV therapy;
2) Cats: CBC
Dosage Forms/Preparations/FDA Approval Status/Withholding Times - Veterinary-Approved Products: None

Human-Approved Products:

Acyclovir Tablets: 400 mg, 800 mg; Zovirax ®, (Glaxo Wellcome); generic (Rx)
Acyclovir Capsules 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg tablets; Zovirax® (Glaxo Wellcome); generic (Rx)
Acyclovir Suspension: 200 mg/5 ml; Zovirax ® (Glaxo Wellcome) (Rx)
Acyclovir Sodium Parenteral Injection (for IV infusion Only), 500 mg/vial (as sodium) in 10 ml vials; 1000 mg/vial (as sodium) in 20 ml vials; Zovirax®(Glaxo Wellcome); (Rx)
Acyclovir is also available in a topical ointment.