Skip to content Skip to main menu Skip to utility menu

Drug Shortage Notice – Aciclovir Injection (250mg + 500mg)

June 11, 2024

The Trust is unable to obtain further supplies of aciclovir injection (all brands and strengths) until 28 June 2024.

Advice

IV aciclovir is the drug of choice for the treatment of many infections due to herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Alternative agents may not be as safe or effective.

The patient groups with the greatest clinical need for IV aciclovir are:

  • Neonates with HSV infections
  • Patients with HSV encephalitis
  • Immunocompromised patients with HSV or VZV infections
  • Pregnant women with severe HSV or VZV infections

IV aciclovir must be used accordingly with clinical discretion to preserve stock.

Actions

Use in line with Trust guidelines and Microbiology advice.

Optimise aciclovir use:

  • Do not use for suspected viral meningitis.
  • Email Microbiology swb-tr.SWBH-GM-micromedics@nhs.net when initiating IV aciclovir.
  • Send appropriate microbiological investigations (i.e. CSF PCR for encephalitis).
  • Dose based on ideal bodyweight (IBW) not actual/total body weight.

Centralise remaining stock:

Individual ward stocks must be returned to pharmacy (except ED, AMU, ITU, NNU, P4)

For further information, contact:

  • Your ward pharmacist or technician.
  • Pharmacy department – City: 5263 / Sandwell: 3783
  • Lead antimicrobial pharmacist: a.brush@nhs.net