Aciclovir belongs to the group of medicines called antivirals. It is used to treat viral infections caused by certain types of virus, such as cold viruses, genital herpes, and varicella-zoster viruses.
Aciclovir may also be used to reduce the growth of shingles in adults who are at risk of catching the infection from kissing blood clumps. It may be given during sexual activity to help you avoid infecting your shingles.
Aciclovir is also used to treat genital herpes, which is the virus that causes genital pain during sexual intercourse. It can also be used to treat chickenpox.
You should not take Aciclovir if you are pregnant or planning to have pregnancy unless you think that it will be helpful. Please consult your doctor if you are not sure.
Aciclovir is not suitable for everyone. If you have the following conditions, you must consult your doctor before taking aciclovir:
Take Aciclovir only as prescribed by your doctor.
Take special care with Aciclovir, it may come with side effects such as stomach upset and dizziness. It may cause your blood pressure to drop to an unsafe level.
Aciclovir side effectsFollow the directions for using Aciclovir, including the precautions.
Take Aciclovir by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 1 or 2 times a day. The dose and length of the treatment depend on your condition and the severity of your infection.
Inform your doctor if you have any medical conditions, such as heart problems, a heart attack, or stroke (within the last six months), if you are pregnant, or have any allergies.
The drug should be taken at the same time each day, even if you feel better. The medicine must be swallowed whole with water. Do not split, crush, or chew the tablet. Follow the dosage instructions carefully. If the symptoms persist, contact your doctor immediately.
Avoid taking it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice when you are taking this medicine.
Do not use this medicine after the expiry date printed on the package.
If you have any medicine that contains aciclovir, you must consult your doctor before use it. Also, you must inform him or her if you have any problems with your body.
Inform your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, severe heart or blood vessel disease, aortic stenosis or aorticoma (aortic aneurysm), had a serious liver problem, or have any other medical problems.
Aciclovir passes into breast milk and is breast-fed only by men. Consult your doctor if you are a woman, an infant, or a child.
Do not give this medicine to other children.
Aciclovir should not be given to a child without the advice of your doctor. Also, it may be harmful to a child if this medicine is taken by a person who is not breast-feeding.
Avoid driving or using machines after taking this medicine.
The common side effects associated with Aciclovir are headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and itching.
These are not all the possible side effects of this medicine. In case of any concern, report it to your doctor.
Aciclovir belongs to the group of medicines called antivirals. It is used to treat the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or to treat genital herpes, which is the common herpes viral infection in women. It can also be used to treat the varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which is caused by the herpes zoster virus (hVZV). Herpes is usually self-limiting if you live under a married or widower's presentence.
Aciclovir contains Aciclovir, which works by stopping the virus from multiplying, hence helping to cure the herpes simplex virus. The medicine helps to reduce pain and swelling associated with genital herpes, in particular herpes labialis (HSL).
You are advised to take Aciclovir for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on the severity of your viral infection. If you have taken Aciclovir for more than a day, the infection may take up to a week to start working. On the other hand, you may experience pain and swelling while living with genital herpes. This may be for many days after the infection has happened. In any case, it is important that you follow your doctor's instructions about the use of the medicine and how long it should take to start working.
Aciclovir is not suitable for everyone. If you have the following conditions:
Do not take more than the recommended dose. If you have any questions about using Aciclovir for treating genital herpes, contact your doctor or pharmacist. It is important that you take Aciclovir exactly as your doctor has prescribed. Do not take more than the recommended dose within a 24-hour period.
You should use Aciclovir exactly as your doctor has told you. If you have taken Aciclovir for more than a day, the infection may take up to a week to start up.
Aciclovir is not recommended for use in children.
Zovirax is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. Zovirax contains aciclovir as its active ingredient and has potent antiviral activity. This medication is mainly used for the treatment of viral infections like genital herpes, cold sores, and chickenpox.
If you are diagnosed with the herpes virus, start the therapy as soon as possible or at the first sign of an outbreak. Your doctor may prescribe you Zovirax tablets depending on your age and medical condition. The tablets are taken orally with or without food.
Take the medication at the same times every day for maximum benefit. Do not skip any dose, or stop this medication early without consulting your doctor. Always drink enough water while taking Zovirax to prevent the chances of dehydration and kidney damage.
Patients may experience some common side effects after taking Zovirax, including:
Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any serious side effects, including:
Generic Name:Brand Name:Dosage:TabletDrug class:
Each tablet contains 200 mg of aciclovir. Zovirax is used to treat certain types of cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This medicine is also used to treat genital herpes.
The dose is 200 mg four times a day for 10 days.
It is important to take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. It is also important to follow the directions on the label and package inserts for the appropriate strength, dosage form and route of administration. Do not skip any doses.
How does Zovirax work?
Zovirax works by stopping the growth of the virus. When your body has been infected with herpes simplex virus, this medicine will start to decrease the virus's ability to pass into the body. In this way, the virus stops multiplying and infecting cells.
Zovirax is recommended as the starting dose of aciclovir in children aged 4 to 12 years. The dosage may be increased to a maximum of 200 mg four times a day for 10 days.
How long does it take for Zovirax to work?
Zovirax is usually well-tolerated. However, it may take several days for full effect to become noticeable. For this reason, children should take it with food or on an empty stomach.
Zovirax Dosage:
Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on the label and package inserts for the appropriate strength, dosage form, and route of administration.
What are the side effects?
Some common side effects include:
Precautions and Warnings:
Before using this medicine, tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or any allergies to antivirals. Inform your doctor about all the medicines you are taking, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
How to use Zovirax?
Zovirax comes as a tablet, oral suspension, and injection. It should be taken as advised by your doctor.
The recommended dose of Zovirax is 200 mg four times a day. Do not change the dose of medicine without talking to your doctor.
How long does Zovirax take to work?
Zovirax is typically well-tolerated.
Aciclovir is a highly effective antiviral agent that is prescribed for the treatment of herpes and shingles. The recommended dosage of aciclovir is 1 g daily for herpes, and 2 g for shingles. For genital herpes, this dosage is taken orally (one tablet) and it is administered in the form of a suppository or cream (tablets).
Aciclovir is not indicated for the treatment of shingles. However, it is known that aciclovir can be taken with or without food, and it can be taken at any time, without regard to meals.
Common side effects of aciclovir for shingles include headache, nausea, and stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare, though these are more likely to occur. If you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction such as swelling of the lips, tongue or face, such as difficulty breathing or swallowing, chest tightness, or swelling of the ankles, it is important to discontinue use of aciclovir.
Not recommended for use with other antiviral medications.
Do not use aciclovir in combination with any of the following: