Medically reviewed by Fedorchenko Olga Valeryevna, PharmD. Last updated on 12.05.2022
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Tablet: Ciclor oral formulations are indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex virus infections of the skin and mucous membranes including initial and recurrent genital herpes.
Ciclor oral formulations are indicated for the suppression (prevention of recurrences) of recurrent herpes simplex infections in immune-competent patients. Ciclor oral formulations are indicated for the prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients.
Ciclor oral formulations are indicated for the treatment of varicella infections (chicken-pox) and herpes zoster (shingles).
Studies have shown that early treatment of shingles with Ciclor has a beneficial effect on pain and can reduce the incidence of post-herpetic neuralgia (zoster-associated pain).
Ciclor oral formulations are indicated for the management of certain severely immunocompromised patients, namely those with advanced HIV disease (CD4+ counts <200/mm3, including patients with AIDS or severe ARC) or following bone marrow transplantation.
Studies have shown that oral Ciclor given in conjunction with antiretroviral therapy (mainly oral RETROVIR) reduced mortality in patients with advanced HIV disease and that oral Ciclor preceded by one month's treatment with intravenous Ciclor reduced mortality in bone marrow transplant recipients. In addition, oral Ciclor provided effective prophylaxis for herpes virus disease.
Injection: Ciclor IV for infusion is indicated for the treatment of herpes simplex infections, prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients, treatment of varicella zoster infections, herpes simplex infections in the neonate.
Ciclor belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Usually these medicines work for only one kind or group of virus infections.
Ciclor is used to treat the symptoms of chickenpox, shingles, herpes virus infections of the genitals (sex organs), the skin, the brain, and mucous membranes (lips and mouth), and widespread herpes virus infections in newborns. Ciclor is also used to prevent recurrent genital herpes infections. Although Ciclor will not cure herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores (if any) heal faster.
Ciclor may also be used for other virus infections as determined by your doctor. However, it does not work in treating certain virus infections, such as the common cold.
Ciclor is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although not specifically included in product labeling, Ciclor by injection is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
- Herpes simplex (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system
- Herpes zoster infections of the eye
- Shingles (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system
Tablet: Adults: Treatment of Herpes Simplex: For treatment of herpes simplex infections, 200 mg Ciclor should be taken five times daily at approximately four-hourly intervals omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for five days but in severe initial infections may have to be extended.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut the dose can be doubled to 400 mg or, alternatively, intravenous dosing could be considered.
Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection; for recurrent episodes this should preferably be during the prodromal period or when lesions first appear.
Suppression of Herpes Simplex: For suppression of herpes simplex infections in immune-competent patients, 200 mg Ciclor should be taken four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals.
Many patients may be conveniently managed on a regimen of 400 mg Ciclor taken twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals.
Dosage titration down to 200 mg Ciclor taken thrice daily at approximately eight-hourly intervals or even twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals, may prove effective.
Some patients may experience break-through infections on total daily doses of 800 mg Ciclor.
Therapy should be interrupted periodically at intervals of six to twelve months in order to observe possible changes in the natural history of the disease.
Prophylaxis of Herpes Simplex: For prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immune-compromised patients, 200 mg Ciclor should be taken four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut the dose can be doubled to 400 mg or, alternatively, intravenous dosing could be considered.
The duration of prophylactic administration is determined by the duration of the period at risk.
Treatment of Varicella and Herpes Zoster: For treatment of varicella and herpes zoster infections, 800 mg Ciclor should be taken five times daily at approximately four-hourly intervals, omitting the night time dose. Treatment should continue for seven days.
In severely immune-compromised patients (e.g. after marrow transplant) or in patients with impaired absorption from the gut, consideration should be given to intravenous dosing.
Dosing should begin as early as possible after the start of an infection. Treatment yields better results if initiated as soon as possible after onset of the rash.
Management of Severely Immunocompromised Patients: For management of severely immunocompromised patients, 800 mg Ciclor should be taken four times daily at approximately six-hourly intervals.
In the management of bone marrow recipients this would normally be preceded by up to one month's therapy with intravenous Ciclor.
The duration of treatment studied in bone marrow transplant patients was 6 months (from 1 to 7 months post-transplant). In patients with advanced HIV disease, study treatment was 12 months, but it is likely that these patients would continue to benefit from a longer duration of treatment.
Infants and Children: For treatment of herpes simplex infections, and for prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in the immune-compromised, children aged two years and over should be given adult dosages and infants and children below the age of two years should be given half the adult dose.
For treatment of varicella infections in children: 6 years and over: 800 mg Ciclor four times daily; 2-<6 years: 400 mg Ciclor four times daily; Under 2 years: 200 mg Ciclor four times daily. Dosing may be more accurately calculated as 20 mg Ciclor/kg bodyweight (not to exceed 800 mg) four times daily. Treatment should continue for five days.
No specific data are available on the suppression of herpes simplex infections or the treatment of herpes zoster infections in immune-competent children.
Limited data suggest that for management of severely immunocompromised children, over two years of age, the adult dose may be given.
Elderly: The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly.
Adequate hydration of elderly patients taking high oral doses of Ciclor should be maintained.
Renal Impairment: Caution is advised when administering Ciclor oral formulations to patients with impaired renal function. Adequate hydration should be maintained.
In the treatment and prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in patients with impaired renal function, the recommended oral doses will not lead to accumulation of Ciclor above levels that have been established safe by intravenous infusion. However, for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 10 ml/minute) an adjustment of dosage to 200 mg twice daily at approximately twelve-hourly intervals is recommended.
In the treatment of varicella and herpes zoster infections, and in the management of severely immunocompromised patients it is recommended to adjust the dosage to 800 mg twice daily, at approximately twelve-hourly intervals, for patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance less than 10 mL/minute) and to 800 mg three times daily, at intervals of approximately eight hours, for patients with moderate renal impairment (creatinine clearance in the range 10 to 25 mL/minute).
Injection: To be gives as intravenous infusion over 1 hour.
A course of treatment with Ciclor IV for infusion usually lasts 5 days, but this may be adjusted according to the patient's condition and response to therapy. Treatment for herpes encephalitis usually lasts 10 days.
Treatment for neonatal herpes usually lasts 14-21 days.
The duration of prophylactic administration of Ciclor IV for infusion is determined by the duration of the period at risk.
Adults: Treatment of Herpes Simplex: Obese patients should be dosed at the recommended adult dose using ideal body weight, rather than actual body weight.
Patients with herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis) should be given Ciclor IV for infusion in doses of 5 mg/kg bodyweight every eight hours if renal function is not impaired.
Patients with herpes encephalitis should be given Ciclor IV for infusion in doses of 10 mg/kg bodyweight every eight hours provided renal function is not impaired.
Prophylaxis of Herpes Simplex in Immune-compromised Patients: Obese patients should be dosed at the recommended adult dose using ideal body weight, rather than actual body weight.
Refer to adult dosing recommendations for the treatment of herpes simplex with Ciclor IV for infusion.
Treatment of Varicella and Herpes Zoster: Obese patients should be dosed at the recommended adult dose using ideal body weight, rather than actual body weight.
Patients with varicella zoster infections should be given Ciclor IV for infusion in doses of 5 mg/kg bodyweight every eight hours if renal function is not impaired.
Immune-compromised patients with varicella zoster infections should be given Ciclor IV for infusion in doses of 10 mg/kg bodyweight every eight hours provided renal function is not impaired.
Infants and Children: The dose of Ciclor IV for infusion for infants and children aged between 3 months and 12 years is calculated on the basis of body surface area. Infants and children 3 months of age or older with herpes simplex (except herpes encephalitis) or varicella zoster infections should be given Ciclor IV for infusion in doses of 250 mg per square metre body surface area every 8 hours if renal is not impaired.
In immune-compromised infants and children with varicella zoster infections or herpes encephalitis, Ciclor IV for infusion should be given in doses of 500 mg per square metre body surface area every 8 hours if renal function is not impaired.
Infants and children with impaired renal function require an appropriately modified dose, according to the degree of impairment.
Neonates: The dosage of Ciclor IV for infusion in neonates is calculated on the basis of bodyweight.
The recommended regimen for treatment for known or suspected neonatal herpes is Ciclor IV 20 mg/kg body weight IV every 8 hours for 21 days for disseminated and CNS disease, or for 14 days for disease limited to the skin and mucous membranes. Patients with impaired renal function require an appropriately modified dose, according to the degree of impairment.
Elderly: The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly.
Adequate hydration should be maintained.
Renal Impairment: Caution is advised when administering Ciclor IV for infusion to patients with impaired renal function. Adequate hydration should be maintained.
Dosage adjustment for patients with renal impairment is based on creatinine clearance, in units of mL/min for adults and adolescents and in units of mL/min/1.73 m2 for infants and children less than 13 years of age. The following adjustments in dosage are suggested: See Table 1 and Table 2.
See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Ciclor?
Use this medication for the full prescribed length of time. Your symptoms may improve before the infection is completely cleared. Ciclor will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu.
Treatment with Ciclor should be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters).
Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Ciclor. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent passing the infection to others.
Ciclor will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Use Ciclor tablets as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- An extra patient leaflet and detailed instructions for use is available with Ciclor tablets. Talk to your pharmacist if you have questions about this information.
- Use Ciclor tablets within 1 hour after you have the first symptoms of a cold sore (eg, itching, redness, burning, or tingling).
- To use Ciclor tablets, peel back the foil on the blister pack and place the tablet on the upper gum above the incisor tooth. Place Ciclor tablets on the same side of the mouth as the cold sore symptoms. Do not apply to the inside of the lip or cheek. To help the tablet stick to your gum, hold the tablet in place by applying slight pressure with your finger on the outside of your lip for about 30 seconds. Leave the tablet in place until it dissolves.
- Do not crush, suck, chew, or swallow Ciclor tablets.
- You may eat, drink, or rinse your mouth with water while this tablet is in place. After it has been applied, do not touch or press the tablet, wear dentures, chew gum, or brush your teeth until the tablet has dissolved.
- Drink more liquids if your mouth becomes dry while using Ciclor tablets.
- If the tablet does not stick or falls off within the first 6 hours after you apply it, place it back onto your upper gum. If it still does not stick, apply a new tablet.
- If you swallow Ciclor tablets within the first 6 hours of applying it, drink a glass of water and place a new tablet onto your upper gum.
- Do not remove the tablet from the blister pouch until you are ready to take it. Make sure that your hands are dry when you open the blister pack. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Take the tablet immediately after opening the blister pack. Do not store the removed tablet for future use.
- Only 1 dose of Ciclor tablets is required. If you forget to use Ciclor tablets, use it as soon as you remember.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Ciclor tablets.
There are specific as well as general uses of a drug or medicine. A medicine can be used to prevent a disease, treat a disease over a period or cure a disease. It can also be used to treat the particular symptom of the disease. The drug use depends on the form the patient takes it. It may be more useful in injection form or sometimes in tablet form. The drug can be used for a single troubling symptom or a life-threatening condition. While some medications can be stopped after few days, some drugs need to be continued for prolonged period to get the benefit from it.This medication is used to treat cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes virus) that keep coming back.
Ciclor is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for the infection. The virus that causes infection continues to live in the body between outbreaks. Ciclor makes outbreaks shorter and less severe. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain lasts after the sores heal.
How to use Ciclor buccal
Read the Patient Information Leaflet and Instructions for Use provided by your pharmacist before you start using Ciclor buccal tablets and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Apply one tablet within one hour after you have the first symptom of a cold sore, and before a cold sore appears. Symptoms may include itching, redness, burning, or tingling. Apply the tablet on the same side of your mouth as the cold sore symptoms.
Before applying the tablet, find the area in your mouth in which to place the tablet. It should be placed on the upper gum, just above the left or right incisor tooth. The incisors are the teeth just to the left and right of your two front teeth. With dry hands, remove one tablet from the blister pack and place it in your mouth with the round side facing against your gum and gently push it into place. Remove your hand from inside your mouth and gently press your finger on the outside of your upper lip for 30 seconds. This will make the tablet stick to your gum. The tablet will slowly dissolve over time and should be left in place. You may eat and drink while using this medication. Do not crush, chew, suck, or swallow the tablet.
If the tablet does not stick to your upper gum or falls off within the first 6 hours after you apply it, the same tablet should be placed back onto your upper gum right away. If it still does not stay in place, apply another Ciclor tablet to your upper gum.
If you accidentally swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours after placement, drink a glass of water and apply a new dose to your gum. However, if the tablet has been in place 6 hours or longer and it falls out or you swallow it, do not re-apply the tablet.
Avoid doing things that may keep the buccal tablet from sticking to your gum, including touching or pressing the tablet after placement, wearing an upper denture that interferes with tablet placement, chewing gum, and brushing your teeth while the tablet is in place. You may gently rinse your mouth with water to clean your teeth while the tablet is in place. Drink plenty of liquids if you have dry mouth.
This medication works best when started at the first sign of a cold sore, as directed by your doctor. It may not work as well if you delay treatment.
Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it worsens.
See also:
What other drugs will affect Ciclor?
Cladribine: Agents that Undergo Intracellular Phosphorylation may diminish the therapeutic effect of Cladribine. Avoid combination
CloZAPine: CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase the serum concentration of CloZAPine. Management: Drugs listed as exceptions to this monograph are discussed in further detail in separate drug interaction monographs. Monitor therapy
Foscarnet: May enhance the nephrotoxic effect of Ciclor-Valacyclovir. Avoid combination
Mycophenolate: Ciclor-Valacyclovir may increase the serum concentration of Mycophenolate. Mycophenolate may increase the serum concentration of Ciclor-Valacyclovir. Monitor therapy
Talimogene Laherparepvec: Antiherpetic Antivirals may diminish the therapeutic effect of Talimogene Laherparepvec. Monitor therapy
Tenofovir Products: Ciclor-Valacyclovir may increase the serum concentration of Tenofovir Products. Tenofovir Products may increase the serum concentration of Ciclor-Valacyclovir. Monitor therapy
Theophylline Derivatives: CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase the serum concentration of Theophylline Derivatives. Exceptions: Dyphylline. Monitor therapy
TiZANidine: CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Weak) may increase the serum concentration of TiZANidine. Management: Avoid these combinations when possible. If combined use is necessary, initiate tizanidine at an adult dose of 2 mg and increase in 2 to 4 mg increments based on patient response. Monitor for increased effects of tizanidine, including adverse reactions. Consider therapy modification
Varicella Virus Vaccine: Ciclor-Valacyclovir may diminish the therapeutic effect of Varicella Virus Vaccine. Management: When possible, avoid use of Ciclor or valacyclovir within the 24 hours prior to administration of the varicella vaccine, and avoid use of these antiviral agents for 14 days after vaccination. Avoid combination
Zidovudine: Ciclor-Valacyclovir may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Zidovudine. Monitor therapy
Zoster Vaccine (Live/Attenuated): Ciclor-Valacyclovir may diminish the therapeutic effect of Zoster Vaccine (Live/Attenuated). Avoid combination
See also:
What are the possible side effects of Ciclor?
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug, and may not reflect the rates observed in practice.
In five double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, 1,124 patients were treated with Ciclor Cream and 1,161 with placebo (vehicle) cream. Local application site reactions were reported by 5% of patients receiving Ciclor Cream and 4% of patients receiving placebo. The most common adverse reactions at the site of topical application were dry lips, desquamation, dryness of skin, cracked lips, burning skin, pruritus, flakiness of skin, and stinging on skin; each adverse reaction occurred in less than 1% of patients receiving Ciclor Cream and placebo. Three patients on Ciclor Cream and one patient on placebo discontinued treatment due to an adverse event.
An additional study, enrolling 22 healthy adults, was conducted to evaluate the dermal tolerance of Ciclor Cream compared with vehicle using single occluded and semi-occluded patch testing methodology. Both Ciclor Cream and placebo showed a high and cumulative irritation potential. Another study, enrolling 251 healthy adults, was conducted to evaluate the contact sensitization potential of Ciclor Cream using repeat insult patch testing methodology. Of 202 evaluable subjects, possible cutaneous sensitization reactions were observed in the same 4 (2%) subjects with both Ciclor Cream and placebo, and these reactions to both Ciclor Cream and placebo were confirmed in 3 subjects upon rechallenge. The sensitizing ingredient(s) has not been identified.
The safety profile in patients 12 to 17 years of age was similar to that observed in adults.
Postmarketing Experience
In addition to adverse events reported from clinical trials, the following events have been identified during post-approval use of Ciclor Cream. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. These events have been chosen for inclusion due to a combination of their seriousness, frequency of reporting, or potential causal connection to Ciclor Cream.
General: Angioedema, anaphylaxis.
Skin: Contact dermatitis, eczema.
Ciclor IV contains Acyclovir as the sodium salt. Each 250-mg vial contains sodium ion approximately 26 mg. When reconstituted as directed, Ciclor IV for infusion has a pH of approximately 11.