ACYCLOVIR (ORAL)

(a SYE klo veer) Brand: Zovirax

What is the most significant information I must know about acyclovir?

• Take this medicine for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated.

• Treatment with acyclovir must be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters).

• Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect another people, even while you are being treated with acyclovir. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with another people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent passing the infection to others.

What is acyclovir?

• Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection.

• Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses. Illnesses caused by herpes viruses include genital herpes, cool sores, shingles, and chicken pox.

• Acyclovir may also be used for purposes another than those listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking acyclovir?

• Do not take this medication if you are allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir (Valtrex).

• Till taking acyclovir, speak your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have kidney malady. You may need a dosage adjustment or particular trials during treatment.

• FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be deleterious to an unborn child. Speak your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Herpes virus can be passed from an infected mother to her child during childbirth. If you have genital herpes, it is very significant to prevent herpes lesions during your pregnancy so that you do not have a genital lesion when your child is born.

• Acyclovir passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How must I take acyclovir?

• Take this medicine exactly as it was predesigned for you. Do not take the medicine in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Treatment with acyclovir must be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters).

• Take every doze with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of water while you are taking acyclovir to hold your kidneys working properly.

• Acyclovir can be taken with or without food. Taking acyclovir with food may decrease stomach upset.

• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just till you measure a doze. To be certain you get the correct doze, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Take this medicine for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated. Acyclovir will not treat a viral infection such as the general cool or flu.

• Lesions caused by herpes viruses must be kept as clean and dry as possible. Wearing loose clothing may help to prevent irritation of the lesions.

• Store acyclovir at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your following doze, skip the missed doze and take the medication at the following regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine.

• Overdose symptoms may include seizure (convulsions), hallucinations, and urinating smaller than normal or not at all.

What must I avoid while taking acyclovir?

• Acyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading the virus to others.

What are the possible side effects of acyclovir?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

· pain in your lower back;

· urinating smaller than normal or not at all;

· light bruising or bleeding; or

· unusual weakness.

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain;

· headache, feeling light-headed; or

· swelling in your hands or feet.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect acyclovir?

• Till taking acyclovir, speak your doctor if you are also taking probenecid (Benemid). If you are using probenecid, you may not be able to use acyclovir, or you may need dosage adjustments or particular trials during treatment.

• There may be another drugs that can affect acyclovir. Speak your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start using a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about acyclovir.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses external of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

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