Acyclovir: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use it

Functions & Usage

What is acyclovir used for?

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that is often used to treat sores around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus, shingles, and chicken pox. This drug can also be used to treat genital herpes.

This medicine cannot completely kill the disease-causing virus from the body. However, this drug serves to reduce the risk of spreading and prevent patients from becoming infected with the virus in the future.

In general, acyclovir is a drug that works to reduce the severity and duration of infection. This medication also helps wounds heal faster, prevents new sores from forming, and reduces pain / itching. This medication can also help reduce pain after the wound has healed.

In addition, in people with weakened immune systems, this medicine can prevent the virus from spreading to other parts of the body and cause more serious infections.

How do you use acyclovir?

Take this medication with or without food, usually 2 to 5 times daily as instructed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids when you are taking this medicine unless your doctor instructs you to do so.

If you are using the liquid form of this medication, shake the bottle before taking this medication according to the dose. Be careful in measuring the dose of acyclovir, use a special measuring spoon. Don't use a regular spoon at home as you may not get the correct dose.

This medication works best when used at the first sign of an outbreak, as instructed by your doctor. Medication may not work well if you delay treatment.

Acyclovir dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. In children, acyclovir dosage is also based on body weight.

This drug works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Do not take medication at intervals that are too tight or too far. Therefore, drink it at the same time every day.

Continue to take this medication until the prescribed amount is complete. Do not change doses, skip any doses, or stop initial medication without your doctor's approval.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not improve or if it gets worse.

How do I store acyclovir?

Acyclovir is a drug that must be stored at room temperature. Keep this medication away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal agency about how to safely dispose of your product.

Dose

The information provided is not a substitute for a doctor's prescription. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of acyclovir for adults?

To treat herpes simplex, the dosage of acyclovir is:

Oral (drinking)

• Initial dose: 200 mg orally every 4 hours by mouth 5 times a day for 10 days
• Alternative dosage: The CDC recommends 400 mg orally 3 times a day or 200 mg orally 5 times a day for 7 to 10 days.
• Follow-up dose: 200 mg orally every 4 hours for 5 times a day for 5 days
• Alternatively, the CDC recommends 400 mg orally 3 times a day for 5 days, 800 mg orally twice a day for 5 days, or 800 mg orally 3 times a day for 2 days.

Intravenous (infusion):

• Heavy starting dose: 5 to 10 mg / kg intravenously every 8 hours for 5 to 7 days

Treatment should be started at the earliest signs or symptoms of the primary infection (initial episode) or at the onset of a relapse.

To treat shingles (shingles) in adults, the dosage of acyclovir is:

• 800 mg orally every 4 hours (5 times daily) for 7 to 10 days

Treatment should be started within 72 hours after the rash appears although during clinical trials acyclovir was most effective started within the first 48 hours.

To treat varicella zoster (chickenpox) in adults, the dose of acyclovir is:

• 800 mg orally, 4 times a day for 5 days

Treatment should be started at the earliest signs of smallpox, no later than 24 hours after the rash appears.

What is the dose of acyclovir for children?

To treat herpes simplex in babies, the dosage of acyclovir is:

• Less than 3 months: 10-20 mg / kg or 500 mg / m2 by infusion every 8 hours for 10 to 21 days
• Some doctors recommend 10 mg / kg every 12 hours for premature babies.

To treat herpes simplex encephalitis in children, the dosage of acyclovir is:

• 3 months-11 years: 10-20 mg / kg or 500 mg / m2 infusion every 8 hours for 10-21 days
• 12 years or older: adult dose

To treat herpes simplex suppression in children, the dosage of acyclovir is:

Oral:

• Less than 12 years: 80 mg / kg orally 3-4 times a day, not to exceed 1 g / day
• 12 years or older: adult dose

Intravenous (IV)

• 5 mg / kg IV every 8 or 12 hours or 250 mg / m2 IV every 8 hours during the risk period

To treat shingles (shingles) in children, the doses of acyclovir are:

Oral

• 12 years and over: 800 mg orally every 4 hours (5 times daily) for 5-10 days

In what dosages and preparations is acyclovir available?

• Capsule, oral: 200 mg
• Fluid, infusion, sodium: 50 mg / ml (10 ml, 20ml)
• Dissolved liquid, infusion, sodium: 500 mg, 1,000 mg
• Dissolved liquid, oral: 200 mg / 5ml (473ml) * Zovirax produced with banana flavor
• Tablet, oral: 200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg

Side effects

What are the side effects of acyclovir?

The most common side effects of acyclovir are:

• Nausea
• Gag
• Diarrhea
• Decreased appetite
• Stomach ache
• Headache
• Kliyengan
• Swollen feet or hands

Call your doctor if you experience some serious side effects from using this drug. Some of the signs and symptoms of serious side effects of using acyclovir are:

• Pain in the lower back (such as low back pain)
• Urinating infrequently or even not urinating at all
• Easy bruising or bleeding
• Unusual weakness

Acyclovir side effects may vary from patient to patient. So, not everyone experiences these side effects of acyclovir. There may be some side effects of acyclovir not listed above. If you have concerns about certain acyclovir side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions & Warnings

What should be considered before using acyclovir?

Some things you should pay attention to before deciding to take acyclovir are:

1. Allergies

Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir, Valacyclovir (Valtrex), any other medicines, or any other ingredients in this medicine. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the raw materials for the drug.

2. Drugs used

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about prescription or non-prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you are currently taking or are planning to take. Make sure you mention the following types of drugs:

• Amphotericin B (Fungizone)
• Aminoglycosides such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Nes-RX, Neo-Fradin), paramomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, and tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin)
• Aspirin and NSAID drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn)
• Cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune)
• Medicines to treat HIV / AIDS such as zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT)
• Pentamidine (NebuPent)
• Probenecid (Benemid)
• Sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim)
• Tacrolimus (Prograph)
• Vancomycin

Other medicines may interact with acyclovir. So make sure you tell your doctor about any medicines you are currently taking, even those not listed above. Your doctor may need to change your dose according to your medication or monitor your medication more closely to reduce the risk of side effects.

3. Your health condition

Tell your doctor if it is possible that you may become dehydrated as a result of a recent illness or activity, or if you currently have or have had immune problems such as HIV / AIDS or kidney disease.

4. Herpes treatment

Herpes infection is contagious and you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with acyclovir. Avoid leaving areas with herpes in direct contact with other people.

Do not touch the infected area and then touch your eyes. Wash your hands often to prevent infection in other parts.

If you are taking this medicine to treat genital herpes, it can be transmitted through sexual contact even if you don't have any blisters or symptoms. Ask your doctor about ways to stop transmission of genital herpes and whether your partner should undergo treatment as well.

5. Pregnant and breastfeeding

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, in a pregnant program, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking acyclovir, call your doctor.

6. Follow the doctor's instructions

Take medication as prescribed by your doctor. Your symptoms may feel better before the infection has completely cleared up. Treatment with this should be done as soon as the first symptoms appear (such as itching, burning, and blisters).

There may be other things not mentioned above. If you have other questions, please consult a doctor for more information. The doctor will provide more complete information. Including the dosage, safety, and interactions of this drug. Listen carefully to all the information explained by the doctor so that the treatment you are doing runs optimally.

Is acyclovir safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This medicine is included in the risk of pregnancy category B.

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

It is not known whether this drug can be absorbed by breast milk or could harm the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

What drugs can interfere with the drug acyclovir?

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur. In such cases, the doctor may change the dose, or take other preventive measures as needed. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Using acyclovir with the following drugs is usually not recommended, but may be needed in some cases. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Tizanidine

Taking acyclovir with any of the following medicines can cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but taking both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If the two drugs are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Fosphenytoin
• Phenytoin
• Valproic Acid

There may be some medicines which are not listed above. If you are in doubt about the interaction of this drug with other drugs that you are currently taking, please consult your doctor for more information. Your doctor may prescribe other medications that are appropriate for your condition.

Can certain foods and drinks interfere with acyclovir?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your doctor or pharmacist.

What health conditions can interfere with the performance of the drug acyclovir?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems, especially:

• Dehydration
• Kidney illness
• Nervous system problems

Overdose

What to do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Overdose signs and symptoms include:

• Worry
• Seizures
• Extreme fatigue
• Loss of consciousness (fainting)
• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Urinating less frequently

There may be some signs and symptoms of an overdose not listed above. If you suspect you are experiencing symptoms of an overdose from using the drug acyclovir, consult a doctor immediately. Proper treatment can reduce the risk of serious complications.

What should I do if I forget to take medicine or forget to take medicine?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. It is forbidden to double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical consultation, diagnosis or treatment.