Single 5 mg dose of acyclovir antiviral medication given by injection

This code represents the administration of 5 milligrams of acyclovir via injection. Acyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, such as herpes simplex (e.g., genital herpes, cold sores) and varicella zoster (e.g., chickenpox, shingles). The injectable form is typically reserved for severe infections or in immunocompromised patients.

Use this code when documenting the parenteral administration of acyclovir for the treatment of viral infections. This often occurs in inpatient settings, emergency departments, or outpatient infusion centers for conditions like severe herpes zoster, herpes simplex encephalitis, or disseminated herpes infections. Documentation should clearly state the drug administered, dosage, route, and medical necessity for injectable acyclovir.

• Report units based on multiples of 5 mg; for example, 50 mg would be 10 units.
• Ensure the medical record specifies the injectable form of acyclovir was used, not oral or topical.
• Do not confuse with codes for other antiviral agents or different routes of acyclovir administration.