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Special warnings about this medication
If you are or will be breast-feeing while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
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Other medical problems
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of using the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For acyclovir, the following should be con
sidered:
Allergies¡XTell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, s
ch as preservatives or dyes.
Pregnancy¡XTopical acyclovir has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal
tudies using mice, rats, or rabbits, except when given in very high doses in a study using rats.
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What Is It
Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes he
aling.
Topical acyclovir does not prevent the recurrence of sores but may decrease pain and itching if applied when the earliest symptoms first appear. Oral acyclovir decreases the frequency
and severity of recurrent sores, but it is used only by people with severe herpes infections because of possible adverse effects.
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What should I do if I forget a dose?
If you are using tablets, capsules, or liquid, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.
If you are using ointment,
apply it as soon as you remember and apply further doses at your regular interval (e.g., every 3 hours) until you go to bed.
However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of either the ointment or oral medication to make up for a missed one.
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How should you take this medication?
Begin taking this medication as soon as symptoms appear. Take this medication as directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Try to take the medication at evenly spaced interval
s throughout the day and night. This will ensure a constant blood level of the medication and is most effective.
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What side effects may occur?
Parenteral:
1. Renal toxicity; precipitation of acyclovir crystals can occur in renal tubules if the maximum solubility of free acyclovir (2.5mg/ml at 37?C in water) is exceeded or if the drug is
given by bolus injection. Serum creatinine and BUN rise and creatinine clearance decreases.
2. Encephalopathic changes: Approximately 1% of patients receiving IV acyclovir manifested encephalopath
ic changes characterized by lethargy, obtundation, tremors, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, seizures or coma.
3. Other: transient elevation of serum creatinine; rash or hives; diaphoresis; h
ematuria; hypotension; headache and nausea; thrombocytosis.
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