Acyclovir (Zovirax) Nursing Considerations
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Acyclovir Audio Lecture
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Hey guys, let’s talk about acyclovir. Also known as Zovirax, acyclovir comes in a tablet form, which you can see here in this picture, but also in a capsule, oral suspension IV, and even a topical ointment. Okay, guys, remember that the therapeutic class is what the drug does to the body and the pharmacologic class is the actual chemical effect that the drug has. So acyclovir is an antiviral medication that helps to slow the growth of viral infections in the body. The pharmacologic class of acyclovir is it is a purine analog, which, long story short, means it blocks the replication of the viral DNA. So, guys, the action of acyclovir is that it interferes with the viral DNA synthesis, meaning it stops the spread of the virus. Acyclovir is used to treat infections that are caused by the herpes virus, like genital or oral herpes, herpes, zoster, or shingles, and varicella, also known as chickenpox. Important: acyclovir will not cure the herpes virus; it only stops the growth and treats the symptoms. So side effects aren’t super common with acyclovir, but the ones that we often see are an overall sense of malaise or fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and a headache.
So guys remember to assess your patient for renal impairment or seizure disorders because acyclovir can make these issues worse. Use caution in immunocompromised. Patients’ doses may need to be altered. Monitor the lesions to see if the treatment is working and remember to teach your patient to use protection with sexual intercourse, and to always take the full dose of the medication. Guys, I once had a patient in a clinic that was under the impression that they would be cured of general herpes after taking acyclovir. Remember to teach your patient that this medication will not cure only help the disease process. That’s it for acyclovir or Zovirax. Now go out and be your best self today and as always happy nursing.
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Concepts Covered:
- Cardiac Disorders
- Cardiovascular
- Emergency Care of the Cardiac Patient
- Shock
- Shock
- Disorders of the Posterior Pituitary Gland
- Endocrine
- Disorders of Pancreas
- Disorders of the Thyroid & Parathyroid Glands
- Gastrointestinal
- Upper GI Disorders
- Liver & Gallbladder Disorders
- Lower GI Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Neurological
- Noninfectious Respiratory Disorder
- Respiratory
- Hematologic Disorders
- Delegation
- Perioperative Nursing Roles
- Acute & Chronic Renal Disorders
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Disorders of the Adrenal Gland
- Documentation and Communication
- Preoperative Nursing
- Legal and Ethical Issues
- Factors Influencing Community Health
- Immunological Disorders
- Oncology Disorders
- Female Reproductive Disorders
- Cognitive Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Trauma
- Intraoperative Nursing
- Vascular Disorders
- Renal Disorders
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Newborn Complications
- Peripheral Nervous System Disorders
- Studying
- Integumentary Disorders
- Communication
- Microbiology
- Emergency Care of the Trauma Patient
- Urinary Disorders
- Integumentary Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Circulatory System
- EENT Disorders
- Postoperative Nursing
- Neurological Emergencies
- Disorders of Thermoregulation
- Neurological Trauma
- Basics of NCLEX
- Fundamentals of Emergency Nursing
- Integumentary Important Points
- Multisystem
- Test Taking Strategies
- Tissues and Glands
- Urinary System
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Neurologic and Cognitive Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Spinal Cord
- Renal and Urinary Disorders
- Nervous System
- Respiratory Disorders
- Respiratory System
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- EENT Disorders
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Hematologic Disorders
- Cardiovascular Disorders
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
- Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders
- Oncologic Disorders
- Pregnancy Risks
- Labor Complications
- Fetal Development
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- Prenatal Concepts
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- Labor and Delivery
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- Developmental Considerations
- Childhood Growth and Development
- Prenatal and Neonatal Growth and Development
- Trauma-Stress Disorders
- Developmental Theories
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- Concepts of Mental Health
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- Adult
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- Dosage Calculations
- Understanding Society
- Concepts of Pharmacology
- Substance Abuse Disorders
- Bipolar Disorders
- Learning Pharmacology
- Psychotic Disorders