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Acyclovir 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.
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