Acyclovir injection
What is acyclovir injection?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats certain types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir will not cure herpes infections; it will help the sores heal faster and help to relieve the pain or discomfort. Sometimes acyclovir is given to help prevent the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles and chickenpox infections. Generic acyclovir injections are available.
What should my health care professional know before I receive acyclovir?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
dehydration
-
neurological disease
-
kidney disease
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Acyclovir injection is only for infusion into a vein. You will usually only receive acyclovir injection in a hospital or clinic setting by a trained health care professional. If you are receiving acyclovir injection at home, follow the instructions from your prescriber and/or home health care provider.
What if I miss a dose?
This does not apply.
What drug(s) may interact with acyclovir?
-
fosphenytoin
-
phenytoin
-
probenecid
-
zidovudine, AZT
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking acyclovir?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week.
Even though you are taking acyclovir, you can still pass herpes or chickenpox to another person.
Acyclovir works best when taken very early in the course of an infection. Begin treatment at the first signs of infection (such as tingling, itching, or pain in the affected area).
What side effects may I notice from receiving acyclovir?
The side effects you may notice from acyclovir depend upon the dose you are taking and the infection being treated; not all side effects occur in every patient.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
confusion or hallucinations (i.e., seeing things that are not there)
-
increased thirst
-
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-
reduced amount of urine passed
-
seizures
-
skin rash or hives
-
stomach pain
-
tremor
-
unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Usually this medication is only given in a hospital or clinic setting. If you are giving acyclovir injection at home, consult your home health care agency for proper storage information.
Acyclovir oral suspension
What is acyclovir oral suspension?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats certain types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir will not cure herpes infections; it will help the sores heal faster and help to relieve the pain or discomfort. Sometimes acyclovir is given to help prevent the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles and chickenpox infections. Generic acyclovir oral suspension is available.
What should my health care professional know before I take acyclovir?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
dehydration
-
neurological disease
-
kidney disease
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take acyclovir oral suspension by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon, or container to measure the medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. You can take acyclovir with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with acyclovir?
-
fosphenytoin
-
phenytoin
-
probenecid
-
zidovudine, AZT
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking acyclovir?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week.
Even though you are taking acyclovir, you can still pass herpes or chickenpox to another person.
Acyclovir works best when taken very early in the course of an infection. Begin treatment at the first signs of infection (such as tingling, itching, or pain in the affected area).
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Taking acyclovir will not stop your sexual partner from getting the infection. Do not have sex if you have an active herpes infection; you can use a condom during sex, but this is not foolproof.
What side effects may I notice from taking acyclovir?
The side effects you may notice from acyclovir depend upon the dose you are taking and the infection being treated; not all side effects occur in every patient.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
confusion or hallucinations (i.e., seeing things that are not there)
-
increased thirst
-
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-
reduced amount of urine passed
-
seizures
-
skin rash or hives
-
stomach pain
-
tremor
-
unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15° and 25°C (59° and 77°F). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Acyclovir skin cream or ointment
What is acyclovir skin ointment?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats certain types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir will not cure herpes infections; it will help the sores heal faster and help to relieve the pain or discomfort. Generic acyclovir cream and ointment are not yet available.
What should my health care professional know before I use acyclovir?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
other sexually transmitted diseases
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I use this medicine?
Acyclovir skin cream or ointment is only for external use on the skin; do not use in the eye. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Wash hands before and after use. Use a finger cot or rubber glove so that you do not spread the infection to another site. Apply a thin layer of ointment to cover all lesions adequately. Use your doses at regular intervals. Do not use your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop using except on your prescriber's advice.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, use only that dose. Do not use double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with acyclovir?
No interactions have been shown between other medicines and acyclovir cream or ointment.
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about other skin products that you are using, including non-prescription skin products. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking acyclovir?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week.
Even though you are using acyclovir, you can still pass herpes to another person.
Acyclovir works best when applied very early in the course of an infection. Begin treatment at the first signs of infection (such as tingling, itching, or pain in the affected area). Wear loose fitting clothing.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Using acyclovir will not stop your sexual partner from getting the infection. Do not have sex if you have an active herpes infection; you can use a condom during sex, but this is not foolproof.
Do not get the ointment in your eyes; if you do, rinse out with plenty of cool tap water.
What side effects may I notice from using acyclovir?
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Acyclovir tablets or capsules
What are acyclovir tablets or capsules?
ACYCLOVIR (Zovirax®) treats certain types of viral infections, specifically herpes infections. Acyclovir will not cure herpes infections; it will help the sores heal faster and help to relieve the pain or discomfort. Sometimes acyclovir is given to help prevent the infection from coming back. Acyclovir also treats shingles and chickenpox infections. Generic acyclovir tablets and capsules are available.
What should my health care professional know before I take acyclovir?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
-
dehydration
-
neurological disease
-
kidney disease
-
seizures (convulsions)
-
an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-
pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-
breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take acyclovir tablets or capsules by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow whole with a full glass of water. You can take acyclovir with or without food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Finish the full course prescribed by your prescriber or health care professional even if you think your condition is better. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
What drug(s) may interact with acyclovir?
-
fosphenytoin
-
phenytoin
-
probenecid
-
zidovudine, AZT
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking acyclovir?
Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve after 1 week.
Make sure to drink plenty of water or fluids while taking acyclovir to help prevent side effects.
Even though you are taking acyclovir, you can still pass herpes or chickenpox to another person.
Acyclovir works best when taken very early in the course of an infection. Begin treatment at the first signs of infection (such as tingling, itching, or pain in the affected area).
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Taking acyclovir will not stop your sexual partner from getting the infection. Do not have sex if you have an active herpes infection; you can use a condom during sex, but this is not foolproof.
What side effects may I notice from taking acyclovir?
The side effects you may notice from acyclovir depend upon the dose you are taking and the infection being treated; not all side effects occur in every patient.
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
-
confusion or hallucinations (i.e., seeing things that are not there)
-
increased thirst
-
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
-
reduced amount of urine passed
-
seizures
-
skin rash or hives
-
stomach pain
-
tremor
-
unusual weakness or tiredness
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 15° and 25°C (59° and 77°F). Protect from light and moisture. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.