Zovirax IV Special Precautions

In patients receiving Zovirax IV for infusion at higher doses (e.g. herpes encephalitis), specific care regarding renal function should be taken, particularly when patients are dehydrated or have any renal impairment.
Reconstituted Zovirax IV for infusion has a pH of approximately 11.0 and should not be administered by mouth.
Effects on the Ability to Drive or Operate Machinery: Zovirax IV for infusion is generally used in an in-patient hospital population and information on ability to drive and operate machinery is not usually relevant. There have been no studies to investigate the effect of aciclovir on driving performance or the ability to operate machinery.
Patients with Renal Impairment and in Elderly Patients: Aciclovir is eliminated by renal clearance, therefore the dose must be reduced in patients with renal impairment (see Dosage & Administration). Elderly patients are likely to have reduced renal function and therefore the need for dose reduction must be considered in this group of patients. Both elderly patients and patients with renal impairment are at increased risk of developing neurological side effects and should be closely monitored for evidence of these effects. In the reported cases, these reactions were generally reversible on discontinuation of treatment (see Adverse Reactions).