Canterbury DHB

Encephalitis - Herpes Simplex

• Refer to Infectious Diseases/Neurology.
• Begin therapy as soon as diagnosis is suspected.

Pathogen

• H. simplex

Drug Treatment

• Duration: 14 to 21 days IV

Empiric

aciclovir HMLSchedNZFPMLnoids Aciclovir F: 0.2 Half life: 3 hours Elimination: renal fe: 0.8

IV 10 mg/kg every eight hours (ideal body weight but use actual if less than ideal body weight)

• fe = 0.8, consider adjusting dose if CrCl is reduced.
• Risk of crystal nephropathy, particularly with IV therapy. Maintain adequate hydration and monitor renal function.

must be prescribed or recommended by a consultant.

Topic Code: 99220