Acyclovir Patient Information

Drug Category:            Herpes
Other Similar Drugs:   Acyclovir  Valtrex  Famvir  

• Zovirax

• Alti-Acyclovir
• Avirax
• Zovirax
• Zovirax Wellstat Pac
• Zovirax Zostab Pac

• aciclovir

Description
Acyclovir (ay-SYE-kloe-veer) belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Usually these medicines work for only one kind or group of virus infections.

Acyclovir is used to treat the symptoms of chickenpox, shingles, herpes virus infections of the genitals (sex organs), the skin, the brain, and mucous membranes (lips and mouth), and widespread herpes virus infections in newborns. Acyclovir is also used to prevent recurrent genital herpes infections. Although acyclovir will not cure herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores (if any) heal faster.

Acyclovir may also be used for other virus infections as determined by your doctor. However, it does not work in treating certain virus infections, such as the common cold.

Acyclovir is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage forms:

Oral
• Capsules (U.S.)
• Oral suspension (U.S. and Canada)
• Tablets (U.S. and Canada)
Parenteral
• Injection (U.S. and Canada)

Proper Use of ACYCLOVIR
Patient information about the treatment of herpes, chickenpox, or shingles is available with ACYCLOVIR. Read it carefully before using ACYCLOVIR.

Acyclovir is best used as soon as possible after the symptoms of herpes infection or shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear.

If you are taking acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox , it is best to start taking acyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash, usually within one day.

Acyclovir capsules, tablets, and oral suspension may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.

Acyclovir is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

If you are using acyclovir oral suspension, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To help clear up your herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles, keep taking acyclovir for the full time of treatment, even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses. However, do not use ACYCLOVIR more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.

Dosing - The dose of acyclovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of acyclovir. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking acyclovir.

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, oral suspension, or tablets):
  • For treatment of genital herpes:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older200 milligrams (mg) five times a day for ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes infections:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older200 to 400 mg two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months, depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
    • Children up to 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For treatment of chickenpox:
    • Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds (40 kilograms)800 mg four times a day for five days.
    • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms) or lessDose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to 800 mg, four times a day for five days.
    • Children up to 2 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For treatment of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older800 mg five times a day for seven to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by the doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For treatment of herpes of the brain, genitals, or mucous membranes, or for the treatment of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and olderDose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 5 to 10 mg of acyclovir per kg (2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period, and repeated every eight hours for five to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of ageDose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg to 20 mg of acyclovir per kg (4.5 mg to 9.1 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for seven to ten days.
  • For treatment of widespread herpes virus infection in newborns:
    • Infants from birth to 3 months of ageDose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg of acyclovir per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for ten days.

Missed dose - If you do miss a dose of ACYCLOVIR, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store ACYCLOVIR:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of ACYCLOVIR in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.

Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although not specifically included in product labeling, acyclovir by injection is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Herpes simplex (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system
• Herpes zoster infections of the eye
• Shingles (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system

Other than the above information, there is no additional information relating to proper use, precautions, or side effects for these uses.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The following 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 use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before using this drug.