Last update Aug. 31, 2021

J05AB01

Very Low Risk

Safe. Compatible. Minimal risk for breastfeeding and infant.

Antiviral very active against Herpes Simplex and varicella-zoster herpesvirus.
Intravenous, oral and topical (dermatological and ophthalmological) administration.
Authorized use in newborns and infants.

Despite its higher concentration in breast milk than in plasma (Mactal 2001,Bork 2000, Lau 1987), it is excreted in breast milk in clinically insignificant amounts, much lower than the dose used in newborns and infants (Drake 2012, Bork 1995, Taddio 1994, Don 1991, Meyer 1988, Lau 1987), and no problems have been observed in infants whose mothers were taking acyclovir (Agarwal 2019, Taddio 1994).

Systemic absorption of topical cutaneous acyclovir is negligible (Mactal 2001).

List of WHO essential medicines: compatible with breastfeeding (WHO / UNICEF 2002).
American Academy of Pediatrics: medication usually compatible with breastfeeding (AAP 2001).

Alternatives

We do not have alternatives for J05AB01 since it is relatively safe.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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Other names

J05AB01 is Acyclovir in ATC Code/s.

Is written in other languages:

J05AB01 is also known as

Groups

J05AB01 belongs to these groups or families:

Pharmacokinetics

Variable Value Unit
Oral Bioavail. 15 - 30 %
Molecular weight 225 daltons
Protein Binding 10 - 30 %
VD 0.8 l/Kg
pKa 7.99 -
Tmax 1.5 - 2 hours
T½ 2 - 3 hours
M/P ratio 1 - 3 -
Theoretical Dose 0.9 - 1.5 mg/Kg/d
Relative Dose 1 - 2.5 %
Ped.Relat.Dose 1.8 - 3.6 %

References

  1. Agarwal R, Maharana PK, Titiyal JS, Sharma N. Bilateral herpes simplex keratitis: lactation a trigger for recurrence! BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Mar 9;12(3). pii: e223713. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  2. Drake AL, Roxby AC, Kiarie J, Richardson BA, Wald A, John-Stewart G, Farquhar C. Infant safety during and after maternal valacyclovir therapy in conjunction with antiretroviral HIV-1 prophylaxis in a randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2012 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  3. Sheffield JS, Fish DN, Hollier LM, Cadematori S, Nobles BJ, Wendel GD Jr. Acyclovir concentrations in human breast milk after valaciclovir administration. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2002 Abstract
  4. WHO / UNICEF. BREASTFEEDING AND MATERNAL MEDICATION Recommendations for Drugs in the Eleventh WHO Model List of Essential Drugs. Department of Child and Adolescent Health and Development (WHO/UNICEF) 2002 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  5. AAP - American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. Transfer of drugs and other chemicals into human milk. Pediatrics. 2001 Sep;108(3):776-89. Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Mactal-Haaf C, Hoffman M, Kuchta A. Use of anti-infective agents during lactation, Part 3: Antivirals, antifungals, and urinary antiseptics. J Hum Lact. 2001 Abstract
  7. Bork K, Kaiser T, Benes P. Transfer of aciclovir from plasma to human breast milk. Arzneimittelforschung. 2000 Abstract
  8. Bork K, Benes P. Concentration and kinetic studies of intravenous acyclovir in serum and breast milk of a patient with eczema herpeticum. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995 Abstract
  9. Taddio A, Klein J, Koren G. Acyclovir excretion in human breast milk. Ann Pharmacother. 1994 Abstract
  10. Meyer LJ, de Miranda P, Sheth N, Spruance S. Acyclovir in human breast milk. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1988 Abstract
  11. Lau RJ, Emery MG, Galinsky RE. Unexpected accumulation of acyclovir in breast milk with estimation of infant exposure. Obstet Gynecol. 1987 Abstract

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