Ekovir (200mg, 30 pills)

What is Ekovir (200mg, 30 pills) by John Lee?

Ekovir (200mg, 30 pills) is an antiviral medicine made by John Lee that contains acyclovir, the substance sold for many years as Zovirax. Each tablet contains 200 mg of acyclovir, and the pack holds 30 tablets. Acyclovir is used against infections caused by herpes viruses, most of all herpes simplex, which causes cold sores and genital herpes, and varicella-zoster, the virus behind chickenpox and shingles.

Acyclovir was one of the first truly selective antiviral drugs. It was developed in the 1970s by the team of Gertrude Elion, whose work on drug design was later recognized with a Nobel Prize. It is a nucleoside analogue: a molecule that looks like guanosine, one of the building blocks of DNA.

How does acyclovir work?

The clever part is how selective it is. Acyclovir stays inactive until an enzyme made by the herpes virus itself, viral thymidine kinase, starts converting it. That happens mainly in infected cells. The activated form then blocks the viral DNA polymerase and stops the virus from copying its genetic material. As a result, acyclovir:

• shortens outbreaks of cold sores and genital herpes;
• helps blisters heal faster and reduces pain and itching;
• lowers the amount of virus shed from the sores;
• taken continuously, reduces how often outbreaks come back.

It does not remove the virus that sleeps in nerve cells, so it controls herpes rather than eliminating it.

How is the 200 mg tablet used?

Acyclovir is absorbed poorly from the gut and leaves the body quickly, so oral doses are taken several times a day. The traditional regimen for genital herpes uses the 200 mg strength: one tablet five times a day, about every four hours while awake. For a first episode this usually runs for around ten days; for a recurrence, about five days, which fits within one pack of 30 tablets. Treatment works best when started at the first tingling or redness, before blisters appear. Other schedules, larger doses and long-term suppressive courses exist, and the choice of dose and duration must be agreed with a qualified medical professional, who will also lower the dose if kidney function is reduced.

Possible side effects

Acyclovir tablets are generally well tolerated. The most common complaints are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache and a feeling of tiredness. Skin rash and sensitivity to light occur less often. In older people and in those with kidney problems, the drug can build up and cause confusion, dizziness or, rarely, hallucinations, and high levels can strain the kidneys. Drinking enough fluid during treatment helps. Anyone allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir must not take it, and pregnant or breastfeeding women should use it only on medical advice.

Package

One pack of Ekovir (200mg, 30 pills) contains 30 tablets of acyclovir 200 mg, produced by John Lee. It can be ordered on MaxLabs.co, and other acyclovir products are also available.