From the Research
The recommended dosage of methisoprinol for treating viral infections is 1 g four times daily, as evidenced by a study on herpes zoster treatment 1. This dosage has been shown to significantly accelerate drying of vesicles and reduce pain in patients with herpes zoster. The treatment duration may vary depending on the specific viral condition being treated, but it typically ranges from 5-14 days. Methisoprinol works by enhancing the immune response against viral infections, particularly by stimulating T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell activity. Some key points to consider when prescribing methisoprinol include:
- It is generally well-tolerated but may cause temporary increases in uric acid levels, so patients with gout or hyperuricemia should use it cautiously.
- The complete prescribed course should be taken even if symptoms improve earlier.
- Adequate hydration should be maintained during treatment. Other studies have investigated the effects of methisoprinol on various viral infections, including hepatitis A virus 2 and HIV 3, but the study on herpes zoster treatment 1 provides the most relevant guidance on dosage. Additionally, a study on the effect of methisoprinol on virus replication in cell cultures found that it had no direct effect on the viruses used in the study, but it did lower the final titres of viruses when administered simultaneously with infection 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study on the topic of methisoprinol dosage for viral infections is not available, so the recommendation is based on the best available evidence from the study on herpes zoster treatment 1.