Generic Zovirax™®: Acyclovir
Acyclovir is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Acyclovir™®
Tablets
Chemical Name: ACYCLOVIR (ay-SYE-kloe-veer)
Other name brands for this medication
Sitavig, Acivir, Zovirax, Ocuvir, Herpikind, Herperax, Axovir, Univir, Neoclovir
Possible Uses of Acyclovir: This medicine is an antiviral used to treat shingles, chickenpox, or genital herpes. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before using Acyclovir: INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including kidney problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
How to take Acyclovir: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from light and moisture. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Precautions When Using Acyclovir: DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE WITHIN A FEW DAYS or if they become worse, check with your doctor. IF YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR GENITAL HERPES, begin using it as soon as you notice symptoms (pain, burning, blisters) of an infection. Use a condom during sexual intercourse. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. If you are or may be pregnant, check with your doctor for instructions on using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Side Effects of Acyclovir: SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience mood or mental changes, blood in the urine, weakness or fatigue, or unusual bruising or bleeding. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience seizures. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug Interactions of Acyclovir: Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
Overdose of Acyclovir: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Other Information of Acyclovir: If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
Generic Zovirax™®: Acyclovir
Acyclovir is the chemical name of the active ingredient in Acyclovir™®
Tablets
Chemical Name: ACYCLOVIR (ay-SYE-kloe-veer)
Other name brands for this medication
Sitavig, Acivir, Zovirax, Ocuvir, Herpikind, Herperax, Axovir, Univir, Neoclovir
Possible Uses of Acyclovir: This medicine is an antiviral used to treat shingles, chickenpox, or genital herpes. It may also be used to treat other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Before using Acyclovir: INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions including kidney problems, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.
How to take Acyclovir: Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking this medicine is recommended. Check with your doctor or nurse for instructions. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from light and moisture. TO CLEAR UP YOUR INFECTION COMPLETELY, continue taking this medicine for the full course of treatment even if you feel better in a few days. Do not miss any doses. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Precautions When Using Acyclovir: DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product. IF YOUR SYMPTOMS DO NOT IMPROVE WITHIN A FEW DAYS or if they become worse, check with your doctor. IF YOU ARE USING THIS MEDICINE FOR GENITAL HERPES, begin using it as soon as you notice symptoms (pain, burning, blisters) of an infection. Use a condom during sexual intercourse. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the medicine. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. If you are or may be pregnant, check with your doctor for instructions on using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
Side Effects of Acyclovir: SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or headache. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience mood or mental changes, blood in the urine, weakness or fatigue, or unusual bruising or bleeding. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience seizures. An allergic reaction to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, or trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.
Drug Interactions of Acyclovir: Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
Overdose of Acyclovir: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Other Information of Acyclovir: If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
FAQ
1. What is Acyclovir and what is it used for?
Acyclovir is a medical drug available to us which belongs to a class of medication called Antivirals. This medicine is used to treat infections caused by certain kinds of viruses such as herpes simplex, herpes zoster, varicella(Chicken pox), other outbreaks or genetical herpes viruses etc. Acyclovir works by healing sores faster and reducing the pain that remains after the healing of sores.
2. When and how to use Acyclovir?
Acyclovir is available to us in a form of pill that must be taken by mouth with or without food as per your doctor's prescription. It is usually taken 1-2 times a day daily for several weeks. The dosage and length of the treatment is based on your medical condition, weight, response to the treatment and other medicine that you may be taking for the same or different reason. Swallow the tablet whole rather than chewing or crushing it in your mouth as it may release all the drug in your mouth which increases the risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you with a low dose which will increase gradually. Do not increase your dose or take it more often than prescribed as this may also increase the risk of side effects without any improvement in your condition. Discuss all the other medicines that you might be taking along with Acyclovir for the same or different reasons. Follow the medical prescription carefully and inform your doctor in case of any exception or confusion.
3. What are the side effects of Acyclovir?
Common side effects observed while medicating with Acyclovir are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or headache may occur. Inform your doctor if these conditions persist or get worse. There are some serious side effects which must be informed to the doctor right away if observed such as dizziness, drowsiness, signs of kidney problems (such as a change in the amount of urine, unusual back/side pain), mental/mood changes (agitation, confusion, hallucination), shaky/unsteady movement, trouble speaking etc. There are also some severe allergic reactions involved with these medications which require immediate medical attention if observed such as rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), trouble breathing, severe dizziness, extreme tiredness, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, easy bruising/bleeding, new fever, bloody/dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, sudden vision changes, loss of consciousness, seizures etc.
4. What precautions must be taken before using Acyclovir?
Before starting the medication of Acyclovir, you must inform your doctor regarding certain conditions such as allergies related to this medicine, valacyclovir or any other medicine as these products may contain some ingredient that causes allergic reaction inside your body. Tell your doctor if you have any medical history related to kidney problems, HIV disease, kidney transplant, bone marrow transplant etc. Before undergoing any kind of surgery, inform the doctor regarding all the products that you use including prescribed, herbal and non-prescribed.
5. Is Acyclovir safe during pregnancy?
Acyclovir is few of the antiviral drugs that is considered safe and most commonly used for a long term during pregnancy. These drugs reduce the activity of viruses without having harmful effects on the womb and unborn child. Also breastfeeding is considered safe while medicating with Acyclovir.
6. How long does Acyclovir take to work?
Acyclovir is a kind of medicine that works best when used within 48 hours after the onset of symptoms. The medicine could take around 2 hours to reach peak plasma concentration after the intake of medicine. To observe reduction in symptoms, Acyclovir may take 3-4 days of daily medication. One must take the medicine as long as prescribed by the doctor.
7. Famciclovir vs Acyclovir
Famciclovir is active for the same viruses but acyclovir has a longer duration of action so it can be taken in fewer times everyday. Famciclovir does not cure or stop the spread of herpes infections. It relieves pain, burning, itching, and tingling, and also heals and prevents sores associated with herpes infections.
8. Does Acyclovir weaken immune system?
I am not aware of any dangers of using Acyclovir in this method in affecting the immune system.
Acyclovir hardly ever cause a life-threatening disorder that affects the blood cells, kidneys, and other parts of the body. This disorder to be expected if you have conditions related to a weakened immune system (such as HIV disease, bone marrow transplant, kidney transplant).
9. Are Aciclovir tablets better than cream?
Acyclovir cream is used to treat cold sores caused by herpes virus and it will effects you with in one day but if there is more serious infections then Acyclovir tablets is required.
