Acyclovir

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of herpes viruses. However, it is not a cure for these infections (recurrences tend to appear within 3 months of original infection), nor will this medication reduce the risk of transmission to others when lesions are present.

The viruses causing these infections continue to live in the body. Acyclovir only decreases the length and severity of these outbreaks. Acyclovir is used to treat cold sores surrounding the mouth, shingles, chickenpox and genital herpes.

People, who suffer frequently from this, take the drug to reduce future occurrences. It helps the sores heal faster, prevents the formation of new sores and decreases pain or itching. This medication may also help reduce the time for which pain remains after the sores heal. In people with a weak immune system, Acyclovir can reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious infections.

Treatment with Acyclovir should be started as soon as the first symptoms such as tingling, burning, blisters present themselves. Acyclovir does not harm an unborn child. But a doctor should still be consulted before taking this medicine, especially if pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Some side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, kidney problems and low platelet count. Greater care is recommended for those with poor kidney or liver function.

Take as directed for full course of therapy; do not discontinue even if feeling better. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake) to prevent renal complications. Avoid use of other topical creams, lotions, or ointments unless approved by prescriber.

You may experience nausea or vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); lightheadedness or dizziness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known); headache, fever, muscle pain (an analgesic may be recommended).

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Herpes Labialis

• Genital Herpes

• Chickenpox

• Herpes Zoster Infections

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Hypersensitivity

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Lethargy

• Dizziness

• Seizures

• Confusion

• Agitation

• Coma

• Headache

• Rash

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Tremor

• Insomnia

• Anorexia

• Sore Throat

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Is It safe with alcohol?

  It is generally safe to consume alcohol with this medicine.

• Are there any pregnancy warnings?

  This medicine is probably safe to use during pregnancy.
  Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effect on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. Please consult your doctor.

• Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

  Unknown. Human and animal studies are not available. Please consult your doctor.

• Does this affect kidney function?

  Caution should be used in patients with renal impairment.

• Does this affect liver function?

  There is no data available. Please consult doctor before consuming the drug.

• Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

  This drug may cause light-headedness or dizziness, thus use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

• Are there any missed dose instructions?

  If you miss a dose of Acyclovir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Below is the list of medicines, which contains Acyclovir as ingredient

• Zovir 800Mg Tablet

  East West Pharma

• Acloveer - 400 Tablet

  Knoll Pharmaceuticals Ltd

• Primacort Plus 5% Cream

  Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

• Zoster 400Mg Tablet Dt

  Leeford Healthcare Ltd

• Cloviral 400Mg Tablet Dt

  Sumac Pharma Pvt Ltd

• Acivir 3% W/V Eye Drop

  Cipla Ltd

• Acivir 5% W/W Cream

  Cipla Ltd

• Psyvir 400Mg Tablet

  Psycormedies

• Virinox 3% W/W Eye Ointment

  Bell Pharma Pvt Ltd

• Psyvir 800Mg Tablet

  Psycormedies

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

The active constituent of this medication is converted into acyclovir monophosphate by the help of viral thymidine kinase. It is further converted by cellular guanylate kinase into diphosphate. At the very end, it is converted by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, phosphoglycerate kinase and pyruvate kinase into triphosphate.

Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

test

• Interaction with Medicine

  Increased CNS side effects with zidovudine and probenecid.

• Interaction with Disease

  Use with caution in patients with pre-existing renal disease or in those receiving other nephrotoxic drugs concurrently; maintain adequate urine output during the first 2 hours after I.V. infusion; use with caution in patients with underlying neurologic abnormalities, serious hepatic or electrolyte abnormalities, or substantial hypoxia. Use with caution in immunocompromised patients; thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) has been reported.

• Ques : Will I get cured after taking Acyclovir for shingles?

  Ans : It is an antiviral medicine that is effective against herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection.

• Ques : Does Acyclovir prevent transmission of infection to others?

  Ans : No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with this medication.

• Ques : What are the serious side effects of Acyclovir?

  Ans : Side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.

• Ques : Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Acyclovir?

  Ans : Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking this drug. It is advised that elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Acyclovir, and their kidney function should be monitored.

• Ques : What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Acyclovir accidentally?

  Ans : Overdoses of oral Acyclovir over several days may cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, and headache. You are advised to consult your doctor in case of an overdose.

• Ques : Can I get resistant to Acyclovir treatment?

  Ans : Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with impaired immunity have reported resistance to Acyclovir.

• Ques : Is hair loss caused due to Acyclovir permanent?

  Ans : No, hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Acyclovir. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.

• Acyclovir-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

  https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/acyclovir

• Acyclovir-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

  https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00787

• ACYCLOVIR tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

  https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=ACYCLOVIR