 |
 |
 |
|
|
|

acyclovir Drug information
|
|
Generic Name: acyclovir (oral) (ay SYE kloe veer)
Brand Names:
Zovirax
|
|
What is the most important information I should know about
acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Take all of the acyclovir that has been prescribed for you
even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to
improve before the infection is completely treated. |
|
? |
Treatment with acyclovir should be started as soon as possible
after the first appearance of symptoms (e.g. tingling, burning,
blisters). |
|
? |
Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect other
people, even during treatment. Avoid letting infected areas come
into contact with other people. Wash your hands frequently to
prevent transmission. |
|
? |
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread
of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection.
Acyclovir lessens the symptoms of these infections and shortens
the length of time you are sick. |
|
? |
Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses.
Illnesses caused by herpes viruses include genital herpes, cold
sores, shingles, and chicken pox. |
|
? |
Acyclovir may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide. |
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider
before taking acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Do not take acyclovir without first talking to your doctor if
you are allergic to valacyclovir (Valtrex). |
|
? |
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
kidney disease. You may need a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment. |
|
? |
Acyclovir is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that
acyclovir is not likely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant. |
|
? |
Acyclovir passes into breast milk and may affect a
nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first
talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. |
How should I take acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Take acyclovir exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse,
or doctor to explain them to you. |
|
? |
Treatment with acyclovir should be started as soon as possible
after the first appearance of symptoms (e.g. tingling, burning,
blisters). |
|
? |
Take each dose with a full glass of water. |
|
? |
Acyclovir can be taken with or without food. Taking acyclovir
with food may decrease stomach upset. |
|
? |
Shake the suspension well before measuring a dose. To ensure
that you get a correct dose, measure the suspension with a
special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your
pharmacist where you can get one. |
|
? |
Take all of the acyclovir that has been prescribed for you
even if you begin to feel better. Your symptoms may start to
improve before the infection is completely treated. |
|
? |
Lesions caused by herpes viruses should be kept as clean and
dry as possible. Wearing loose clothing may help to prevent
irritation of the lesions. |
|
? |
Store acyclovir at room temperature away from moisture and
heat. |
What happens if I miss a dose?
|
|
? |
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it
is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose, skip the
missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not
take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed
by your doctor. |
What happens if I overdose?
|
|
? |
Seek emergency medical attention. |
|
? |
Symptoms of an acyclovir overdose include seizures,
hallucinations, and kidney damage (decreased urine production). |
What should I avoid while taking acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect other
people, even during treatment. Avoid letting infected areas come
into contact with other people. Wash your hands frequently to
prevent transmission. |
|
? |
Acyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Avoid
sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading
the virus to others. |
What are the possible side effects of acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Stop taking acyclovir and seek emergency medical attention or
contact your doctor immediately if you experience any of the
following serious side effects: |
|
? |
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of
your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); |
|
? |
little or no urine production; or |
|
? |
unusual bleeding or bruising. |
|
? |
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take acyclovir and talk to your doctor if you
experience |
|
? |
nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or
abdominal pain; |
|
? |
a headache or lightheadedness; or |
|
? |
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk
to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that
is especially bothersome. |
What other drugs will affect acyclovir?
|
|
? |
Probenecid (Benemid) may increase the effects of acyclovir and
lead to dangerous side effects. You may need a dosage adjustment
or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking
probenecid. |
|
? |
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
acyclovir. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any
prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal
products. |
Where can I get more information?
|
|
? |
Your pharmacist has additional information about acyclovir
written for health professionals that you may read. |
|
? |
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach
of children, never share your medicines with others, and use
this medication only for the indication prescribed. |
|
? |
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information
provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that
effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare
practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore
Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States
are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise.
Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose
patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an
informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare
practitioners in caring for their patients and/ or to serve
consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a
substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of
healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given
drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to
indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any
responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with
the aid of information Multum provides. The information
contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses,
directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic
reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the
drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or
pharmacist. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|

 |
© 2006, Drugs Here.
All rights reserved |
We emphasize, that we have no attitude to pharmacies located
on our site. We proceed from the information given by pharmacies for us,
that is, the owners of all necessary licenses are pharmacies, and the
names of medications are the copyright of their firms making. We try to
warn people about bad resources and fraud, and also to analyze the work of
good resources. We do not take the responsibility for resources located on
our site. We are only informational service.
drugs buying, drug buying, drug store, drugs store, drugs
online, drugstore, discount drugs, online pharmacy, health, hydrocodone,
norco |
 |
 |