Acyclovir Dose for Varicella Pneumonia in Immunocompromised Patients

Reference	Dosage Suggested / Utilised
Human Herpesviruses: Biology, Therapy, and Immunoprophylaxis. Chapter 65 : Antiviral therapy of varicella-zoster virus infections (by John W. Gnann Jr.)	10–15 mg/kg (or 500 mg /m2) intravenously every 8 h for ≥7 d
Viral Pneumonia Treatment & Management [Medscape]	10 mg/kg IV q8h for 7 d
Uptodate : Treatment of varicella (chickenpox) infection	10 mg/kg IV every 8 hours (using ideal body weight [IBW] if obese)
Uptodate : Acyclovir (systemic): Drug information	IV: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose every 8 hours for 7 to 10 days; may switch to oral antiviral after defervescence if no evidence of visceral involvement; continue until all lesions are crusted (HHS [OI adult 2018]; Pergam 2013)
Varicella Pneumonia in Adults (by Abba A.A. 2005)	10 mg/kg q8h for 7,10 days
Caso Clínico: Pneumonia a Varicella zoster (by Gomes et al. 2010)	5-15 mg/kg q8h for 7-10 days
Sanford Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy (Apps: Last Updated on 24 Nov 2018)	Serious HSV/VZV infections: 5-12.5 mg/kg IV q8h
BNF 76 (2018-19)	Varicella zoster (chickenpox), treatment in immunocompromised | Herpes zoster (shingles), treatment in immunocompromised IV 10 mg/kg every 8 hours, usually for 5 days
Varicella-zoster virus pneumonia in adults: report of 14 cases and review of the literature Christos Y. Frangidesa, Ioannis Pneumatikos [European Journal of Internal Medicine 2004]	All patients were treated immediately after the diagnosis of VZVP with intravenous acyclovir in a dose of 10 mg/kg every 8 h (600–900 mg intravenously, three times a day). The mean duration of acyclovir therapy initiation after the appearance of varicella rash was 3 days (range of 1–5 days). The mean duration of acyclovir therapy was 16±6 days.

All accessed online on 28/11/18