Acyclovir
Information about Acyclovir
Acyclovir uses
Acyclovir is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, herpes simplex virus infections, shingles, genital herpes infection and chickenpox.
How acyclovir works
Acyclovir is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.
Common side effects of acyclovir
Headache, Dizziness, Vomiting, Nausea, Fatigue, Fever, Increased liver enzymes, Stomach pain, Diarrhea, Skin rash, Injection site reaction
Content Details
Last updated on:
27 Dec 2019 | 01:08 PM (IST)
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Expert advice for Acyclovir
- Acyclovir helps in the treatment of herpes, chickenpox, and shingles.
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
- If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
Frequently asked questions for Acyclovir
Acyclovir
Q. Will I get cured after taking Acyclovir for shingles?
Acyclovir is an antiviral medicine effective against herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection. It does not remove the viruses from the body but prevents the viruses from dividing and spreading.
Q. Does Acyclovir prevent transmission of infection to others?
No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Acyclovir. Herpes infections are contagious, so avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching your eyes after touching an infected area. Wash your hands frequently to prevent transmitting the infection to others. You should practice safe sex by using condoms. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.
Q. What are the serious side effects of Acyclovir?
Serious side effects are rare, but if you experience them, you should seek medical advice right away. These rare side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.
Q. Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Acyclovir?
Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Acyclovir. The reason being, their kidneys do not flush the drug out of their system as quickly as a younger person’s kidneys would do. Elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Acyclovir, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.
Q. What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Acyclovir accidentally?
Accidental, repeated overdoses of oral Acyclovir over several days have resulted in nausea, vomiting, confusion and headache. Consult your doctor in case of overdose.
Q. Can I get resistant to Acyclovir treatment?
Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with an impaired immunity have reported resistance to Acyclovir. If you are not responding to Acyclovir, possibility of drug resistance should be checked.
Q. Is hair loss caused due to Acyclovir permanent?
Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Acyclovir. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.