Drug Uses

Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes healing. Sometimes acyclovir is given to help prevent the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles and chickenpox infections. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How Taken

Acyclovir tablets or capsules should be taken by mouth, following the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole with a full glass of water. Take your doses at regular intervals, with or without food, not more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice. Special care may be needed for use of this medicine in children, contact your pediatrician or health professional.

Warnings/Precautions

Patients with renal impairment need dosage adjustments. Caution should also be exercised to patients receiving potentially nephrotoxic agents (this may increase the risk of renal dysfunction and/or the risk of reversible central nervous system symptoms such as those that have been reported in patients treated with intravenous acyclovir). Patients should consult with their physician if any adverse reactions occurs, also if they become pregnant or intend to become pregnant, they intend to breastfeed while taking orally administered Acyclovir, or they have any other questions.
Herpes Zoster: There are no data on treatment initiated more than 72 hours after onset of the zoster rash. Patients should be advised to initiate treatment as soon as possible after a diagnosis of herpes zoster.
Genital Herpes Infections: Acyclovir is not a cure for genital herpes.
Chickenpox: Chickenpox in otherwise healthy children is usually a self-limited disease of mild to moderate severity. Adolescents and adults tend to have more severe disease. Treatment was initiated within 24 hours of the typical chickenpox rash in the controlled studies, and there is no information regarding the effects of treatment begun later in the disease course.

Missed Dose

In case you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects depend upon the dose you are taking and the infection being treated. These side effects you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible: confusion or hallucinations, increased thirst,redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth, reduced amount of urine passed, seizures, skin rash or hives, stomach pain, tremor, unusual weakness or tiredness Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome): diarrhea, dizziness, headache, increased sensitivity to the sun, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting

Storage

Store at room temperature between 15° and 25°C (59° and 77°F). Protect from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Overdose

Agitation, coma, seizures, and lethargy may occur in association with overdosage. Overdosage has been reported following bolus injections or inappropriately high doses and in patients whose fluid and electrolyte balance were not properly monitored. This has resulted in elevated BUN and serum creatinine and subsequent renal failure. In the event of acute renal failure and anuria, the patient may benefit from hemodialysis until renal function is restored

More Information

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines. Follow the directions for using Acyclovir provided by your doctor.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.

Other info about Acyclovir at Wikipedia.org and other resources:

Is the drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DIHS) due to human herpesvirus 6 infection or to allergy-mediated viral reactivation? Report of a case and literature review
Conclusions: The search for rare causes of fever led to complete resolution of a very difficult case. As DIHS is a rare disease the most relevant issue is to suspect and include it in differential diagnosis of fevers of unknown origin. Once diagnosed, the therapy is easy (steroidal administration) and often successful. However our case strongly confirms that attention should be paid on the steroidal tapering that should be very slow to avoid a relapse. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Viral meningoencephalitis: a review of diagnostic methods and guidelines for management
Background: Viral encephalitis is a medical emergency. The prognosis depends mainly on the pathogen and host immunologic state. Correct immediate diagnosis and introduction of symptomatic and specific therapy has a dramatic influence upon survival and reduces the extent of permanent brain injury.Methods: We searched the literature from 1966 to 2009. Recommendations were reached by consensus. Where there was lack of evidence but consensus was clear, we have stated our opinion as good practice points.Recommendations: Diagnosis should be based on medical history and examination followed by CSF analysis for protein and glucose levels, cellular analysis, and identification of the pathogen by polymerase chain reaction amplification (recommendation level A) and serology (level B). Neuroimaging, p...

Episodic Acyclovir Therapy as Part of Syndromic Management Among Men Presenting With Genital Ulcer Disease: Is There Benefit?
Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Clinical Trial ReportDOI 10.1007/s11908-010-0089-0Authors Laura Hinkle Bachmann, WG (Bill) Hefner Medical Center Salisbury NC 28144 USA Journal Current Infectious Disease ReportsOnline ISSN 1534-3146Print ISSN 1523-3847 (Source: Current Infectious Disease Reports)

Determinants of HIV Type 1 Shedding from Genital Ulcers among Men in South Africa
Conclusions. HIV‐positive men should be screened and treated for GUD to minimize HIV shedding and transmission to uninfected sexual partners. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Prevention of ulcerative lesions by episodic treatment of recurrent herpes labialis: a literature review.
Authors: Harmenberg J, Oberg B, Spruance S There are substantial difficulties involved in carrying out clinical studies of recurrent herpes labialis, since the disease has a rapid onset, short-lasting viral shedding period and is rapidly self-healing. The aim of this paper was to critically assess published reports of episodic treatment of herpes labialis and to review biological and methodological problems involved in such studies. Limited, but statistically significant, results have been shown with topical antivirals, such as acyclovir and penciclovir, improving healing times by approximately 10%. Orally administrated antivirals, such as valaciclovir and famciclovir, have subsequently found clinical use. However, these two oral medications have different profiles in phase 3 studies. ...