This means you may need to take it with other medications. Acyclovir is used to treat viral infections. These include herpes zoster shingles , genital herpes , and varicella chickenpox. The herpes virus can stay in your body for a long time and cause symptoms again later. Acyclovir belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Acyclovir works by lowering the ability of the herpes virus to multiply in your body.
This treats the symptoms of your infection. Herpes infections include cold sores, chickenpox, shingles, or genital herpes. Even with this drug, the herpes virus may still live in your body. Your symptoms may occur again later even after the symptoms of your current infection go away. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:. Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information.
However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
An interaction is when a substance changes the way a drug works. This can be harmful or prevent the drug from working well. To help prevent interactions, your doctor should manage all of your medications carefully.
However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking. Call or go to the nearest emergency room if you develop these symptoms. Taking it again could be fatal cause death. For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well.
This may increase the levels of this drug in your body and cause more side effects. This medication may also decrease your kidney function. This means your kidney disease may get worse. Your doctor will adjust your dose depending on how well your kidneys are working.
For pregnant women: Acyclovir is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. For women who are breastfeeding: Acyclovir may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication. For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time.
This raises your risk of side effects. This dosage information is for acyclovir oral tablet. All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here.
Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:. Start this drug as soon as the first symptom of chickenpox appears. The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This increases your risk of side effects. Your doctor may start you on a lowered dose or a different medication schedule.
This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body. Always to speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
Acyclovir oral tablet is used for short-term treatment of genital herpes, shingles, and chicken pox. What to do if you miss a dose: Take your dose as soon as you remember. But if you remember just a few hours before your next scheduled dose, take only one dose.
Never try to catch up by taking two doses at once. This could result in dangerous side effects. If you take too much: You could have dangerous levels of the drug in your body and experience more severe side effects. If your symptoms are severe, call or go to the nearest emergency room right away. How to tell if the drug is working: The symptoms of your infection will get better. A prescription for this medication is refillable.
You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. If it still will not stick, then apply a new tablet.
If you accidentally swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours of application, drink a glass of water and place a new tablet on your gum. If the tablet falls off or is swallowed 6 or more hours after application, do not apply a new tablet until your next regular time. Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with acyclovir. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Take or use acyclovir until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking acyclovir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated or may become more difficult to treat. The delayed-release buccal tablet is applied as a one-time dose. Acyclovir is also sometimes used to treat eczema herpeticum a skin infection caused by the herpes virus to treat and prevent herpes infections of the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth in patients with human immunodeficiency virus HIV , and to treat oral hairy leukoplakia condition that causes hairy white or gray-colored patches on the tongue or inside of the cheek.
This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking or using this medication.
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.
To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.
In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to acyclovir. Do not let anyone else take or use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Acyclovir pronounced as ay sye' kloe veer. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Other names. To use buccal acyclovir, follow these steps: Find the area on the upper gum above your left and right incisor teeth the teeth just to the left and right of your two front teeth.
With dry hands, remove one delayed-release tablet from the container. Gently apply the tablet to the upper gum area as high as it will go on your gum above one of your incisor teeth on the side of your mouth with the cold sore. Do not apply it to the inside of the lip or cheek.
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