What is Acyclovir?
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug which slows the development and spread of the herpes virus. It won't cure herpes, but the symptoms of the infection can be diminished.
Acyclovir is used to treat diseases such as
- Genital herpes
- Cold sores
- Shingles
- Chickenpox caused by herpes viruses
Acyclovir Uses
- It is used for the treatment of chronic or extensive oral and esophageal herpes.
- Herpetic kerato-uveitis therapy.
- Prevention of herpes in the genitals.
- Secondary herpes prophylaxis in patients with recurrences that are recurrent and/or severe.
- Treatment of extreme types of zoster: facial or ophthalmic zoster, necrotic or extensive forms.
Acyclovir cream
It is used to treat the face or lips with cold sores (fever blisters; blisters caused by a virus called herpes simplex). Acyclovir ointment is used to treat early outbreaks of genital herpes (an infection of the herpes virus that sometimes causes sores to develop around the genitals and rectum) and to treat some forms of herpes simplex virus-induced sores in people with poor immune systems. Acyclovir belongs to a class of antiviral drugs called ana-synthetic nucleoside.
How to use acyclovir cream
- Clean your hands.
- Clean and dry the region of the skin where the cream is being applied.
- To protect the skin where the cold sore has formed or appears likely to form, add a coat of cream.
- When it disappears, massage the cream onto the skin.
- Leave the skin exposed where you have applied the drug. Unless your doctor advises you that you should, do not apply a bandage or dressing.
- To remove any cream left on your hands, wash your hands with soap and water.
- Remember not to wash away the cream from your skin. Right after applying acyclovir cream, do not bathe, shower, or swim.
- When using acyclovir cream, avoid the discomfort of the cold sore area.
Acyclovir side effects
Side effects can be caused by topical Acyclovir. If any of these symptoms are there or do not go away, tell your doctor:
- Cracked or dry lips
- Skin that is flaky, peeling, or dry
- Skin that is burning or stinging
- Redness, swelling, or pain at the place where the drug was applied
Serious Acyclovir Side Effects:
- Hives
- Rashes
- Itching
- Breathing or swallowing problems
- Swelling of the face, throat, mouth, eyes, hands, feet, lower legs, or ankles
- Hoarseness
some other common side effects (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
- Headache
- Feeling dizzy
- Feeling or being diseased
- Diarrhoea
- Pains in the stomach
- Skin reaction after light exposure (photosensitivity)
- Feeling tired easily
- Unexplained fever and feeling faint (high temperature),Some unusual side effect (which may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
Quite rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 individuals)
- Decrease red blood cell numbers (anemia)
- Reduced white blood cell numbers (leukopenia)
- Reduced blood platelet numbers (cells that clots blood-thrombocytopenia)
- Feeling dizzy and weak
- Feeling restless or confused
- Tremors or trembling
- Hallucinations (seeing things that are not there or hearing them)
- Feeling unusually drowsy or sleepy
- Unsteadiness while walking and absence of coordination
- Difficulties with speaking
- Coma
- Paralysis of the whole or portion of your body
- Stiff neck and light sensitivity
- Hepatitis
- Renal Pain
Acyclovir dosage
Renal clearance-based dose change and standard dosage regimen -200 mg per four hrs.
- < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: q12hr of 200 mg
- < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: q12hr of 200 mg
Per 12 hrs. 400 mg
- < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: q12hr of 200 mg
- < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: q12hr of 200 mg
Per 4 hrs, 800 mg
- < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: q12hr 800 mg
- < 10-25 mL/min/1.73 m2: q8hr 800 mg
- >25 mL/min/1.73 m2: q4hr 800 mg (five times daily)
Adjustment of dose dependent on following factors
Renal Impairment
- -10-25 mL/min/1.73 m2 CrCl: Administer the recommended dose of q24hr
- -CrCl < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2: 50% of the recommended dose of q24hr is given.
Renal Impairment (PO)
- Standard dosage of 200 mg q4hr or 400 mg q12hr and < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 CrCl: reduction to 200 mg q12hr: reduction to 200 mg q12hr
- 800 mg q4hr and CrCl 10-25 mL/min/1.73 m2 standard dosage: reduction to 800 mg q8hr
- -800 mg q4hr and CrCl < 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 standard dosage: reduction to 800 mg q12hr
Precautions and Warnings
Before taking Aciclovir, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you have kidney disorders
- If you are 65 years or more
- If you have abnormalities in the nervous system, please inform them.
Pregnancy, fertility and breast-feeding:
- Ask your doctor if you are a pregnant or hoping to have a baby.
Acyclovir Storage
- Keep this drug away from children.
- Store it in a temperature below 25 ° C.
