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| Prescription Acyclovir Drug Information |
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Acyclovir Uses? |
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Taking Acyclovir can help relieve the symptoms of problems caused by the herpes virus, including shingles, chickenpox, and herpes infections of the skin, brain, lips and mouth, and genitals, as well as widespread infections in newborns.
This prescription can treat repeated genital herpes infections. There is no real cure for herpes, but taking Acyclovir can make your outbreaks be less painful and help them to heal faster. Your doctor may prescribe Acyclovir for other problems, but it is not effective in treating some virus infections, including the common cold.
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Acyclovir Directions? |
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The active ingredients in Acyclovir are used to treat herpes simplex virus symptoms.
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Acyclovir Side Effects? |
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Taking two medications together always creates a risk for drug interactions. This is also true of Acyclovir. You can sometimes take two interacting prescriptions, but it requires a doctor's supervision. They may require you to use a different dosing schedule or undergo additional tests. Let them know if you regularly use:
Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine) or Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin), Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with long-term use), Combination pain medicine containing acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g., Excedrin), Gold salts (medicine for arthritis), Methotrexate (Mexate), other medicine for infection, other salicylates, Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune), Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU), Streptozocin (e.g., Zanosar), Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol), Lithium (e.g., Lithane), or Tiopronin (Thiola). Taking any of these with Acyclovir will raise your likelihood of experiencing side effects, especially if you have kidney problems as well.
Your doctor may also recommend that you not take Acyclovir if you have other physical disorders.
If you have a medical history of kidney disease or dehydration, let your doctor know. These problems can lead to elevated blood levels to Acyclovir and can lead to more side effects.
Side effects are rare but may include swollen, painful, or tender lymph nodes (glands) in neck, armpit, or groin; nausea or vomiting; dizziness or feeling faint; changes in facial skin color; fast heartbeat; seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there; convulsions (seizures); sores, ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips; confusion; coughing; changes in vision; red or irritated eyes; difficulty in breathing or swallowing; sense of agitation or uneasiness; sore throat, fever, or chills; blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin; skin rash, itching, or hives; swelling of eyelids, face, feet, hands, lower legs or lips; or muscle cramps, pain, or weakness.
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Acyclovir Warnings? |
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When you consider Acyclovir, you must weigh the risks against the benefits to determine if the medicine is for you. Talk to your doctor about the decision and consider the following factors:
If you have any allergies, of have ever had a reaction to ganciclovir, valAcyclovir, or Acyclovir, talk to your doctor about it. They also need to be aware of any other allergies, including food allergies, preservatives, dyes, or sulfites.
If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, talk to your doctor. Studies using Acyclovir in rabbits have shown that it may prevent the embryo from attaching to the lining of the uterus. However, the tests do not show any tendency to cause birth defects among animals given larger doses. Studies have not been done on humans.
If you are breastfeeding, talk to your doctor. The medication is passed in breast milk, but does not seem to cause any problems.
If you want to give it to children, there are very limited studies on this. Oral Acyclovir does not seem to cause effects of problems other than those caused in adults.
If you are an older adult, expect that some side effects involving the central nervous system, such as dizziness, confusion, agitation, and drowsiness, are sometimes more pronounced in seniors. Otherwise, it has not been showed to cause different effects than in other adults.
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Acyclovir Drug Interactions? |
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In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking 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 considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to Acyclovir, ganciclovir, or valAcyclovir. Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any other substances, such as foods, sulfites or other preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Acyclovir has been used in pregnant women and has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems. However, studies have not been done in humans. Studies in rabbits have shown that Acyclovir given by injection may keep the fetus from becoming attached to the lining of the uterus (womb). However, Acyclovir has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in mice given many times the usual human dose, or in rats or rabbits given several times the usual human dose.
Breast-feeding - Acyclovir passes into breast milk. However, it has not been reported to cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - A limited number of studies have been done using oral Acyclovir in children, and it has not caused different effects or problems in children than it does in adults.
Older adults - Acyclovir has been used in the elderly and has not been shown to cause different side effects or
problems in older people than it does in younger adults. However, some of the side effects involving the central
nervous system, for example, agitation, confusion, dizziness, and drowsiness, may be more severe in older adults.
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Acyclovir Missed Dose? |
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Your doctor will give you instructions on how often to take Acyclovir. If you unintentionally miss a dose, take it when you remember. However, if it's close to the next scheduled dose, wait and take only that dosage. You should not take two doses at once.
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Acyclovir Storage? |
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Acyclovir capsules can break down when exposed to moisture, so do not store them in places where they may become wet, such as a bathroom or near a kitchen sink. The tablets should be in a cool and dark place. Be certain to keep the prescription where children can not reach it. If you have expired prescriptions, safely discard any remaining medication.
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Anything Else I Should Know About Acyclovir? |
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If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
The areas affected by herpes, chickenpox, or shingles should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing to avoid irritating the sores.
It is important to remember that Acyclovir will not keep you from spreading herpes to others.
Herpes infection of the genitals can be caught from or spread to your partner during any sexual activity. Even though you may get herpes if your partner has no symptoms, the infection is more likely to be spread if sores are present. This is true until the sores are completely healed and the scabs have fallen off. Therefore, it is best to avoid any sexual activity if either you or your sexual partner has any symptoms of herpes. The use of a latex condom may help prevent the spread of herpes. However, spermicidal (sperm-killing) jelly or a diaphragm will not help.
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NOTE: The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and
judgment of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to
indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare
professional before taking the product.
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| Other Prescription Drugs |
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