title: Neurotoxicity associated with acyclovir in end stage renal failure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To alert practitioners to the danger of acyclovir neurotoxicity occurring in the presence of renal failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two case reports of acyclovir neurotoxicity in the patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In one case neurotoxicity resulted from the use of a dosage regimen that would be appropriate in patients with normal renal function. In the other case, neurotoxicity occurred even though a reduced dose of acyclovir was given. Supportive management resulted in a complete recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with end stage renal failure with varicella zoster infections, when acyclovir is prescribed the loading dose should be 400 mg and the maintenance dose should be 200 mg twice daily.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Kitching
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fagg
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Hay
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Macdonald
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D009420:Nervous System / Q000187:drug effects*; D010531:Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir