Acyclovir

Active Ingredients: 9-[(2-Hydroxyethoxy) methyl] guanine sodium

Typical Brand Names: Zovirax, Alti-Acyclovir, Avirax, aciclovir

What Is It Used For?
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.

How Is It Used?
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 is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

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.

Are There Possible Side Effects?
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

Is It Safe?
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.

What If I Miss A 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.

How Should It Be Stored?
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?
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.