Uses:
Acyclovir
is an antiviral used to treat shingles, chickenpox, or genital
herpes. It may also be used to treat other conditions.
How
To Take This Medication:
Follow
the directions for using this medicine provided by your
doctor. Take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets
your stomach. To clean 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.
Side Effects:
Side
effects, that may go away during treatment, include nausea,
vomiting, diarrhea, or headache. If they continue or are
bothersome, check with your doctor. If you notice other
effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or
pharmacist.
Precautions:
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. 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. Before you begin taking
any new medicine, either prescription or over-the-counter,
check with your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine is excreted
in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeing while
you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist
to discuss the risks to your baby.
Drug Interactions:
Drug
interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent
a medicine from doing its job.
Notes:
If
overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control
center or emergency room immediately.
Missed Dosage:
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.
Storage:
Store
this medicine at room temperature, away from light and moisture.
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Acyclovir is used
to treat shingles as well as herpes simplex virus and
other types of herpesvirus infections which can cause
painful blisters and lesions. Acyclovir reduces the severity
of outbreaks and prevents the development of new blisters.
Acyclovir cannot treat CMV disease, which is also caused
by a herpesvirus. Acyclovir can prevent herpes simplex
outbreaks, which may help people co-infected with HIV
and herpes simplex live longer. High dose acyclovir is
used to treat hairy leukoplakia , a viral infection that
usually shows up on the sides of the tongue.