Acyclovir
is used to treat the symptoms
of chickenpox, shingles, herpes
virus infections of the genitals
(sex organs), the skin, the brain,
and mucous membranes (lips and
mouth), and widespread herpes
virus infections in newborns.
Acyclovir is also
used to prevent recurrent genital herpes infections.
Although Acyclovir will not cure herpes, it
does help relieve the pain and discomfort
and helps the sores (if any) heal faster.
Acyclovir may also be used for other virus
infections as determined by your doctor. However,
it does not work in treating certain virus
infections, such as the common cold.
Acyclovir Directions?
Patient information
about the treatment of herpes, chickenpox,
or shingles is available with this medicine.
Read it carefully before using this medicine.
This medication is most effective if it is
started within 48 hours of when the rash first
appears.
Acyclovir is best used as soon as possible
after the symptoms of herpes infection or
shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters)
begin to appear.
If you are taking Acyclovir for the treatment
of chickenpox, it is best to start taking
Acyclovir as soon as possible after the first
sign of the chickenpox rash, usually within
one day.
Acyclovir capsules, tablets, and oral suspension
may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.
If you are using Acyclovir oral suspension,
use a specially marked measuring spoon or
other device to measure each dose accurately.
The average household teaspoon may not hold
the right amount of liquid.
Acyclovir Side Effects?
To help clear up your
herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles,
keep taking Acyclovir for the full time of
treatment, even if your symptoms begin to
clear up after a few days. Do not miss any
doses. However, do not use this medicine more
often or for a longer time than your doctor
ordered.
Dosing-The dose of Acyclovir will be different
for different patients. Follow your doctor's
orders or the directions on the label. The
following information includes only the average
doses of Acyclovir. Your dose may be different
if you have kidney disease. If your dose is
different, do not change it unless your doctor
tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls
of suspension that you take depends on the
strength of the medicine. Also, the number
of doses you take each day, the time allowed
between doses, and the length of time you
take the medicine depend on the medical problem
for which you are taking Acyclovir.
For treatment of genital herpes:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older-200
milligrams (mg) five times a day for ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age-Use and dose
must be determined by the doctor.
For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of
genital herpes infections:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older-200
to 400 mg two to five times a day for five
days or up to twelve months, depending on
how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
Children up to 12 years of age-Use and dose
must be determined by the doctor.
For treatment of chickenpox:
Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds
(40 kilograms)-800 mg four times a day for
five days. Children 2 years of age and older
and weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms) or less-Dose
is based on body weight and must be determined
by the doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per
kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to 800 mg,
four times a day for five days. Children up
to 2 years of age-Use and dose must be determined
by the doctor.
For treatment of shingles:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older-800
mg five times a day for seven to ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age-Use and dose
must be determined by the doctor.
Acyclovir Warnings?
Other medicines-Although
certain medicines should not be used together
at all, in many cases two different medicines
may be used together even if an interaction
might occur. In these cases, changes in dose
or other precautions may be necessary. If
you are taking Acyclovir it is especially
important that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the following:
Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU) or Cisplatin (e.g.,
Platinol) or Combination pain medicine containing
acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g., Excedrin)
or other salicylates or Cyclosporine (e.g.,
Sandimmune) or Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal)
(with long-term use) or Gold salts (medicine
for arthritis) or Inflammation or pain medicine,
except narcotics, or Lithium (e.g., Lithane)
or Methotrexate (Mexate) or Other medicine
for infection or Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine)
or Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or Streptozocin
(e.g., Zanosar) or Tiopronin (Thiola)-Concurrent
use of these medicines with Acyclovir may
increase the chance for side effects, especially
when kidney disease is present.
Other medical problems-The presence of other
medical problems may affect the use of Acyclovir.
Make sure you tell your doctor if you have
any other medical problems, especially:
Dehydration or Kidney disease-Dehydration
or kidney disease may increase blood levels
of Acyclovir, increasing the chance of side
effects.
Other side effects have been blistering, peeling,
or loosening of skin; changes in facial skin
color; changes in vision; confusion; convulsions
(seizures); coughing; difficulty in breathing
or swallowing; dizziness or feeling faint,
severe; fast heartbeat; muscle cramps, pain,
or weakness; nausea or vomiting; red or irritated
eyes; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that
are not there; sense of agitation or uneasiness;
skin rash, itching, or hives; sore throat,
fever, or chills; sores, ulcers, or white
spots in mouth or on lips; swelling of eyelids,
face, feet, hands, lower legs or lips; swollen,
painful, or tender lymph nodes (glands) in
neck, armpit, or groin
Acyclovir Drug Interactions?
In deciding to use
a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your doctor will
make. For Acyclovir, the following should
be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to Acyclovir,
ganciclovir, or valAcyclovir. Also tell your
health care professional if you are allergic
to any other substances, such as foods, sulfites
or other preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Acyclovir has been used in pregnant
women and has not been reported to cause birth
defects or other problems. However, studies
have not been done in humans. Studies in rabbits
have shown that Acyclovir given by injection
may keep the fetus from becoming attached
to the lining of the uterus (womb). However,
Acyclovir has not been shown to cause birth
defects or other problems in mice given many
times the usual human dose, or in rats or
rabbits given several times the usual human
dose.
Breast-feeding - Acyclovir passes into breast
milk. However, it has not been reported to
cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - A limited number of studies have
been done using oral Acyclovir in children,
and it has not caused different effects or
problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults - Acyclovir has been used in
the elderly and has not been shown to cause
different side effects or problems in older
people than it does in younger adults. However,
some of the side effects involving the central
nervous system, for example, agitation, confusion,
dizziness, and drowsiness, may be more severe
in older adults.
Acyclovir Missed
Dose?
Try to take each dose
at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose,
take it as soon as remembered; do not take
it if it is near the time for the next dose,
instead, skip the missed dose and resume your
usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up"
the dose to catch up.
Acyclovir Storage?
Keep out of the reach
of children. Store away from heat and direct
light. Do not store the capsule or tablet
form of this medicine in the bathroom, near
the kitchen sink, or in other damp places.
Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to
break down. Do not keep outdated medicine
or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that
any discarded medicine is out of the reach
of children.
Anything Else I Should
Know About Acyclovir?
If your symptoms do
not improve within a few days, or if they
become worse, check with your doctor.
The areas affected by herpes, chickenpox,
or shingles should be kept as clean and dry
as possible. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing
to avoid irritating the sores.
It is important to remember that Acyclovir
will not keep you from spreading herpes to
others.
Herpes infection of the genitals can be caught
from or spread to your partner during any
sexual activity. Even though you may get herpes
if your partner has no symptoms, the infection
is more likely to be spread if sores are present.
This is true until the sores are completely
healed and the scabs have fallen off. Therefore,
it is best to avoid any sexual activity if
either you or your sexual partner has any
symptoms of herpes. The use of a latex condom
may help prevent the spread of herpes. However,
spermicidal (sperm-killing) jelly or a diaphragm
will not help.
NOTE: The above
information is intended to supplement, not
substitute for, the expertise and judgment
of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare
professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe,
appropriate, or effective for you. Consult
your healthcare professional before taking
the product.
