Acyclovir
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Medication Information
Acyclovir is used to
decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters
in people who have varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster
(shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had
chickenpox in the past), and first-time or repeat
outbreaks of genital herpes (a herpes virus infection
that causes sores to form around the genitals and rectum
from time to time). Acyclovir is also sometimes used to
prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are
infected with the virus. Acyclovir is in a class of
antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside
analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes
virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure genital
herpes and may not stop the spread of genital herpes to
other people.
How should this medicine be used?
Acyclovir
comes as a tablet, a capsule, and a suspension (liquid)
to take by mouth. It is usually taken with or without
food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting
as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When
acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital
herpes, it is usually taken two to five times a day for
up to 12 months. Take acyclovir at around the same times
every day. Follow the directions on your prescription
label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to
explain any part you do not understand. Take acyclovir
exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or
take it more often or for a longer time than prescribed
by your doctor.
Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the
medication evenly.
Your symptoms should improve during your treatment
with acyclovir. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not
improve or if they get worse.
Take acyclovir until you finish the prescription,
even if you feel better. If you stop taking acyclovir
too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be
completely treated or may become more difficult to
treat.
Other uses for this medicine
Acyclovir is also
sometimes used to treat eczema herpeticum (a skin
infection caused by the herpes virus) to treat and
prevent herpes infections of the skin, eyes, nose, and
mouth in patients with human immunodeficiency virus
(HIV), and to treat oral hairy leukoplakia (condition
that causes hairy white or gray-colored patches on the
tongue or inside of the cheek).
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask
your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before
taking acyclovir,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic
to acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex), any other
medications, or any of the ingredients in acyclovir. Ask
your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.
tell
your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional
supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan
to take. Be sure to mention any of the following:
amphotericin B (Fungizone); aminoglycoside antibiotics
such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin),
kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Nes-RX, Neo-Fradin),
paramomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, and tobramycin
(Tobi, Nebcin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cyclosporine
(Neoral, Sandimmune); medications to treat HIV or AIDS
such as zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT); pentamidine
(NebuPent); probenecid (Benemid); sulfonamides such as
sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim); tacrolimus
(Prograf); and vancomycin. Many other medications may
also interact with acyclovir, so be sure to tell your
doctor about all the medications you are taking, even
those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may
need to change the doses of your medications or monitor
you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if
there is a possibility you may be dehydrated from a
recent illness or activity, or if you have or have ever
had problems with your immune system; human
immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV); acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); or kidney disease.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become
pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant
while taking acyclovir, call your doctor.
if you are
taking acyclovir to treat genital herpes, you should
know that genital herpes can be spread through sexual
contact even if you don't have blisters or other
symptoms and possibly even if you are taking
acyclovir.
Talk to your doctor about ways to stop the
spread of genital herpes and about whether your
partner(s) should receive treatment.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking
acyclovir.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
Take the
missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any
remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.
However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip
the missed dose and continue your regular dosing
schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a
missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Acyclovir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor
if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
upset stomach
vomiting
diarrhea
dizziness
tiredness
agitation
pain, especially in the
joints
hair loss
changes in vision
Some side effects can be serious. If you experience
any of the following symptoms, call your doctor
immediately:
hives
rash or blisters
itching
difficulty
breathing or swallowing
swelling of the face,
throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or
lower legs
hoarseness
fast heartbeat
weakness
pale skin
difficulty sleeping
fever, sore throat, chills, cough, and other signs
of infection
unusual bruising or bleeding
blood
in the urine
stomach pain or cramps
bloody
diarrhea
decreased urination
headache
hallucinations
confusion
aggressive behavior
difficulty speaking
numbness, burning, or
tingling in the arms or legs
temporary inability to
move parts of your body
shaking of a part of your
body that you cannot control
seizures
loss of
consciousness
Acyclovir may cause other side
effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual
problems while you are taking this medication.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your
doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug
Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting
program online.
What storage conditions are needed for this
medicine?
Keep this medication in the container it
came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.
Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat
and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any
medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to
your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your
medication.
In case of emergency/overdose
In case of
overdose, call your local poison control center at
1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not
breathing, call local emergency services at 911.
Symptoms of overdose may include:
agitation
seizures
extreme tiredness
loss
of consciousness
swelling of the hands, feet,
ankles, or lower legs
decreased urination
What other information should I know?
Keep all
appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your
doctor may order certain lab tests to check your
response to acyclovir.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your
pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your
prescription. |
