Prescription drugs info

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in vision; dizziness; drowsiness; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggressive behavior; agitation; blood in the urine; confusion; dark urine; decreased consciousness; decreased urination; fatigue; fever; hallucinations; lower back pain; pain or redness at the injection site; painful urination; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; seizures; stomach pain; tremors; unusual bleeding or bruising; urination problems; vomiting; yellowing of the eyes or skin.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

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* Acyclovir may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or changes in vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Acyclovir with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
* Acyclovir may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
* Acyclovir may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Acyclovir . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
* Acyclovir does not eliminate the virus and is not a cure. It does not prevent transmission of the virus to others.
* Acyclovir is not a cure for herpes simplex infections. Avoid sexual intercourse when visible lesions are present to prevent infecting your partner.
* Use Acyclovir with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion, drowsiness, or hallucinations.
* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Acyclovir while you are pregnant. Acyclovir is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Acyclovir , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

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Use Acyclovir as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Acyclovir is usually given as an injection at your doctor’s office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Acyclovir at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Acyclovir . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
* Do not use Acyclovir if it contains particles, is cloudy or discolored, or if the vial is cracked or damaged.
* Drinking extra fluids while you are taking Acyclovir is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions.
* Start treatment as early as possible following the onset of signs and symptoms of herpes infections.
* To clear up your infection completely, use Acyclovir for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days.
* Keep this product, as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and pets. Do not reuse needles, syringes, or other materials. Ask your health care provider how to dispose of these materials after use. Follow all local rules for disposal. Always use for injections.
* If you miss a dose of Acyclovir , use it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not use 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Acyclovir .

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Some medical conditions may interact with Acyclovir . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
* if you are dehydrated or have a low blood volume, kidney disease, or liver disease

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Acyclovir . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

* Medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin) because the risk of kidney side effects may be increased. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Acyclovir may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

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* you are allergic to any ingredient in Acyclovir or to valacyclovir

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

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Treating herpes and shingles infections.

Acyclovir is an antiviral. It works by stopping viral replication. However, Acyclovir does not eliminate the virus, is not a cure, and does not prevent transmission to others.

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Acyclovir is generally safe. However, any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately.

* Symptoms of Acyclovir overdose may include:
Agitation, kidney failure, lethargy, coma, seizures

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Adults recommended dosage for Acyclovir

For Genital Herpes

The usual dose is one 200-milligram capsule or 1 teaspoonful of liquid every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days. If the herpes is recurrent, the usual adult dose is 400 milligrams (two 200-milligram capsules, one 400-milligram tablet or 2 teaspoonfuls) 2 times daily for up to 12 months.

If genital herpes is intermittent, the usual adult dose is one 200-milligram capsule or 1 teaspoon of liquid every 4 hours, 5 times a day for 5 days. Therapy should be started at the earliest sign or symptom.

Ointment: Apply ointment to affected area every 3 hours, 6 times per day, for 7 days. Use enough ointment (approximately one-half inch ribbon of ointment per 4 square inches of surface area) to cover the affected area.

For Herpes Cold Sores

Apply Acyclovir cream to the affected area 5 times a day for 4 days. Therapy should begin as soon as possible after the first sign of a cold sore such as a bump, tingling, redness, or itchiness.

For Herpes Zoster (Shingles)

The usual adult dose is 800 milligrams (one 800-milligram tablet or 4 teaspoonfuls of liquid) every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.

For Chickenpox:

The usual adult dose is 800 milligrams 4 times a day for 5 days.

If you have a kidney disorder, the dose will need to be adjusted by your doctor.

Children recommended dosage for Acyclovir

The usual dose for chickenpox in children 2 years of age and older is 20 milligrams per 2.2 pounds of body weight taken orally 4 times daily, for a total of 80 milligrams per 2.2 pounds, for 5 days. A child weighing more than 88 pounds should take the adult dose.

The safety and effectiveness of oral Acyclovir have not been established in children under 2 years of age. However, your doctor may decide that the benefits of Acyclovir outweigh the potential risks. The safety and effectiveness of Acyclovir ointment in children have not been established. Acyclovir cream has not been studied in children less than 12 years old.

Older adults recommended dosage for Acyclovir

Your doctor will start you at the low end of the dosage range, since older adults are more apt to have kidney problems or other disease, or to be taking other medications.

Acyclovir seems relatively safe during pregnancy. Nevertheless, it should be used only if its benefits outweigh the potential risk to the baby. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Acyclovir appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. If Acyclovir is essential to your health, your doctor may advise you to discontinue breastfeeding your baby until your treatment with Acyclovir is finished.

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If Acyclovir is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Acyclovir with the following:

Cyclosporine
Interferon
Probenecid
Zidovudine

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