Acyclovir

Acyclovir uses 

Acyclovir tablets are an antiviral drug that helps in slowing the growth as well as spread of the herpes virus in your body. This medicine will not cure herpes but will lessen your symptoms of the infection. Acyclovir medicine is used for treating different infections that are caused by herpes viruses such as genital herpes, shingles, chickenpox, cold sores, cytomegalovirus as well as varicella.  

This medication is also very effective for treating the outbreaks of genital herpes, while in people with frequent outbreaks, this medicine helps in reducing the number of future episodes. Acyclovir helps in decreasing the length as well as severity of the outbreaks, while it also assists the sores to heal faster and keep new sores from forming, thus decreasing the pain as well as itching.    

This medicine is also very effective reducing the pain that remains after the sores heal. People with a weak immune system can decrease the risk of virus spreading to other parts of body and causing serious infection by the intake of Acyclovir.    

Acyclovir dosage 

Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. In case the condition persists or worsens, contact your doctor immediately. One needs to take this medicine mainly two to five times a day or as directed by the doctor by mouth with or without the food. During the intake of this medicine, try to drink plenty of fluids until and unless your doctor tells you otherwise.  

Shake the bottle well before each dose, if you are taking the liquid form of this medication. Measure the dose with the help of special measuring device or spoon. Always avoid using the household spoon because you might not get the correct dose.  

The result of this medication works best when you start at the first sign of an outbreak as prescribed by your doctor. There are chances that this medicine would not work well if you delay the treatment. The dosage if this medicine is based on your medical condition and response to the treatment. The dosage is based on weight in children.  

This medicine works at its best when the amount of this drug is kept at a constant level in your body. Always take this medicine at evenly spaced intervals for its best result. Therefore, take the medicine at the same time each day.  

You need to take this medication until the full prescribed time and during the treatment do not change your dose, skip any dose or stop this medication as per your wish and without doctor’s approval.   

Therefore, if there are any changes in your weight then inform the doctor immediately because the changes in your weight will affect the dose.   

Acyclovir side effects

• If you discover any signs of an allergic reaction to this medicine then immediately get the medical help. Allergic reactions such as hives, difficulty in breathing, swelling in the face, tongue, throat as well as lips.
• Consult the doctor immediately, if you have:
• Purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin, easy bruising or bleeding
• Any sign of kidney problems like pain or difficulty in urination, swelling in your feet as well as ankles, little or no urinating and also short of breath or feeling tired. 

Some of the common side effects of this medicine are stated below:

• Diarrhea
• General ill feeling or headache
• Nausea, vomiting
• Mouth pain when using an acyclovir buccal tablet

This medicine can also cause a life-threatening disorder that affects your blood cells, kidneys as well as other parts of the body. This disorder generally occurs when you suffer from conditions that are related to weak immune system. You need to seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but serious side effects take place like yellowish skin & eye, sudden vision changes, allergic reaction, slow/fast or irregular heartbeat as well as extreme tiredness.  

Therefore, this is not the complete list of possible side effects, if you find other side effects contact your doctor immediately.  

Acyclovir Precautions

• Inform your doctor about your medical history such as kidney problems or conditions related to weak immune systems, before you start this medication. Tell your doctor in advance, if you are allergic to this medicine or suffer from any other allergies. Herpes infections are very dangerous and it can affect other people easily even when you are being treated with this medicine acyclovir. 
• Try to avoid infected areas to come into contact with other people. Make sure that you wash your hands frequently in order to prevent passing the infection to others. 
• Avoid driving as well as using machinery or anything else that needs alertness until and unless you can do it safely. Make sure that you limit alcoholic beverages. With the consent of your doctor, do not have any immunizations as well as vaccinations. 
  

Acyclovir in pregnancy should only be used when it is very clearly needed. Since this medication passes into breast milk, so this medicine should not be given to breastfeeding mothers.  

Acyclovir interactions 

There are total 52 drugs that are known to interact with Acyclovir  

23 major drug interactions

21 moderate drug interactions

8 minor drug interactions 

The drug interactions help in changing how the medication work as well as increase the risk for serious side effects. Avoid the medications that contain Valacyclovir while using acyclovir.   

Acyclovir Mechanism of action 

This medicine is converted into triphosphate form which quickly inhibits the viral DNA polymerase, incorporates into as well as terminates the growing viral DNA chain. 

Acyclovir Warning 

Since this medicine does not protect you against the spread of genital herpes so if you want to lower the chance of giving herpes to your partner then do not have sexual contact during an outbreak or if you think you are developing the symptoms.  

Therefore, one should not take this medicine if you are allergic to Acyclovir. Also, avoid taking the acyclovir buccal tablets if you are allergic to milk proteins. Herpes can be passed to your baby during childbirth, so in case you have genital herpes then it is very vital to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy time.   

We only ship medications which are approved by FDA, Also please consult your doctor to make a full decision on what medication to take.