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What is this Drug
Patient information about the treatment of herpes, chickenpox, or shingles is available with this medicine. Read it carefully before using this medicine.
Acyclovir is best used as soon as pos
sible after the symptoms of herpes infection or shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear.
If you are taking acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox , it is best to st
art taking acyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash, usually within one day.
Acyclovir capsules, tablets, and oral suspension may be taken with meals or on an
empty stomach.
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Symptoms of overdose may include:
Symptoms of overdose may include sluggishness, change in amount of urine, loss of consciousness ˇK
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How should you take this medication?
Acyclovir comes as an ointment for use on the skin and as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication as soon as possi
ble after symptoms appear.
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Before Using This Medicine
ChildrenˇXStudies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing use of topical acyclovir in children with use in other age groups.
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Side Effects of This Medicine
Oral: (GI side effects reduced if take with meals)
Short-term therapy: nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, fatigue, skin rash, edema. inguinal adenopahty, anorexia, leg pain, medicatio
n taste, sore throat.
Long-term: nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, headache, vertigo, insomina, irritability, depression, skin rash, acne. accelerated hair loss, arthralgia, fever, palpitations, sore thr
oat, muscle cramps, mestrual abnormalities, lyphadenopathy.
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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
Tell you doctor if you are taking any of the following:
- Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with long-term use) or
- Gold salts (medicine for arthritis) or
- Inflammation or pain medicine
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