Aciclovir
Description
Aciclovir is an antiviral agent which is used in the treatment of infections caused by herpes virus such as chickenpox and herpes zoster. The effect of this medicine is higher if it is started as soon as symptoms appear.
QUICK LINKS:
Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Aciclovir
- Swelling and redness at the injection site
- Abdominal pain
- Increased thirst
- Loss of appetite
- Unusual tiredness and weakness
- Black or tarry stools
- Fever with chills
- Seizures
- Unusual bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Headache
Uses of Aciclovir
What is it prescribed for?
- Herpes Zoster Infections
- Genital Herpes
- Chickenpox
Read More
Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe peak effect of this medicine can be observed in 1.5 to 2 hours after an oral dose and 2 hours after an intravenous dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 9 to 12 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit tendencies have been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is excreted through the breastmilk. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of any undesired effects is necessary.
Allergy
If you have a known allergy to Aciclovir or any other medicine belongs to the class anti-herpes virals.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is recommended for pregnant women. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is excreted through the breastmilk. Discuss with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks before deciding to take this medicine. Monitoring of any undesired effects is necessary.
General warnings
Hydration
Aciclovir may increase the risk of kidney injury when taken with other medicines that cause kidney injury. Adequate water should be consumed to prevent the accumulation of the medicine.
Impaired kidney function
Aciclovir is used with caution in the patients with the severe kidney injury. Suitable dose adjustments are to be made based on the clinical condition.
Elderly population
Aciclovir is used with caution in the elderly population with kidney injury or liver injury due to increase in the risk of neurological problems. Dose adjustments are to be made based on the clinical condition.
Pediatric population
The safety and efficacy of the oral formulation of Aciclovir has not been established in children less than 2 years of age.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Phenytoin
Tacrolimus
Sulfasalazine
Disease interactions
Impaired kidney function
Aciclovir should be used with caution in the patients with the pre-existing kidney injury. Inform the doctor if you experience any symptoms of sudden weight gain, changes in the frequency of urination. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Neurological disorder
Use of high-dose intravenous Aciclovir may increase the risk of neurotoxicity, especially in the elderly population with a neurological disorder, kidney or liver injury. Inform the doctor if you experience any symptoms of tremors, confusion, and seizures. Suitable dose adjustments or an alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Aciclovir with or without food. Do not take in larger amounts than advised. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor. Drink adequate amount of water in order to reduce the risk of kidney injury.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by inhibiting the viral DNA synthesis and replication by inhibiting the DNA polymerase enzyme.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antiviral agents
Schedule
Schedule H
Acyclovir Uses, Dosage & Side Effects - Drugs.com [Internet]. Drugs.com. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - ACYCLOVIR- acyclovir capsule ACYCLOVIR- acyclovir tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
Zovirax (acyclovir) dosing, indications, interactions, adverse effects, and more [Internet]. Reference.medscape.com. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
TOXNET [Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 March 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 7 Aug 2017
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.