This is a very common question that comes to mind when people who drink on regular basis have been prescribed some medication. Most prescription medications may cause side effects and also interact with other medications, substances, or over-the-counter drugs.
Drinking alcohol while taking certain drugs may increase the chances of side effects or hinder the effectiveness of the medicine. Consuming alcohol while taking any kind of medication is a choice, however, it could be difficult to say no to your favorite hard drink if you are a daily drunker or attending a big event.
In this blog, we are going to discuss the connection between Aciclovir and alcohol. Is drinking alcohol while taking Acyclovir is ok or not? Let us dive into that.
What is Aciclovir?
Aciclovir is an antiviral drug that is prescribed in order to control symptoms of the herpes virus. Acyclovir tablets do not completely cure herpes infections, however, they can ease symptoms while the immune system combats the virus.
Besides treating and preventing herpes outbreaks, Aciclovir treatment is also prescribed for cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. Some evidence also shows that Aciclovir is an efficient treatment for Bells’ palsy and facial nerve paralysis that may be linked to HSV infection.
Aciclovir Can treat Herpes Simplex Virus
Aciclovir treatment is used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Herpes viruses are of two types: Herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. Herpes infections can be spread from one person to another through contact with skin, or body fluids including saliva, semen, or vaginal secretions.
Aciclovir treatment work by restraining the replication of herpes viruses, preventing the virus from spreading. Usually, HSV1 is the most common among the population, and virus carriers suffer from cold sore outbreaks (fever blisters). HSV2 is less common among the population ad associated with genital herpes, while HSV1 can cause genital lesions if engaged through oral sex.
Before Taking Aciclovir
It is extremely vital to take any medicine carefully. Certain medications are not suitable for people with specified conditions. Sometimes medicine needs to be taken with extra care. That is why, before you start taking Acyclovir, your medical professional must know about below mentioned aspects.
- You are pregnant, trying to conceive, or breastfeeding your baby.
- Kidney problems or weak immune system.
- You have had an allergic reaction to any medicine.
- The medications or herbal supplement you are taking.
How to Get Maximum outcomes from Aciclovir Treatment
You can get most of your treatment by considering a couple of things. Drink plenty of water and fluids while taking Acyclovir to make your kidneys work well. Water, hot drinks, and non-alcoholic cold drinks are suitable to drink.
Aciclovir can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than it is usually. So avoid exposure to sunbeds and strong sunlight. Even after they heal, still there are minor chances that you may spread the virus during sex. Using a condom reduces the risk of passing on the virus to your partner.
If your medical professional has prescribed Aciclovir tablets for genital herpes, avoid having sex until your sores or blisters heal completely.
In case you are having surgery or any other major treatment, tell the concerned person that you are taking oral Acyclovir.
Can You Drink When Taking Aciclovir?
Now coming to the most important point, does alcohol interfere with Aciclovir? The answer is it’s completely your choice to drink or not while taking Aciclovir. Aciclovir doesn’t interfere with the antiviral properties of this drug.
However, alcohol reduces your ability to combat infections, so it’s better to keep your alcohol intake down while suffering from any disease. If you can entirely avoid alcohol until you recover completely, that is the best you can do for a fast recovery.
Generally, when a doctor prescribes Aciclovir tablets, they suggest the sufferer avoid alcohol or drink in a moderate amount. Refraining from drinking when you are taking Acyclovir also reduces the risk of possible side effects.
Having alcohol while taking Acyclovir is generally considered safe as it does affect the way this medication work for herpes or viral infections.
Safety concerns about mixing alcohol and Aciclovir
It is highly important to be aware of any kind of interaction between the medication you are taking and alcohol including Aciclovir tablets. However, when it comes to mixing alcohol and Aciclovir drug, there are no considerable risks or concerns about safety.
When you are drinking alcohol while taking Acyclovir, the most common issue that may occur is drowsiness and dizziness which are the normal side effects of the drug. The consumption of alcohol along with Aciclovir can intensify the level of dizziness that can be dangerous if the patient drives or operate any heavy machinery etc.
Another concern associated with mixing Aciclovir and alcohol is meddling with the way this medication is metabolized. Consumption of alcohol may increase the concentration of medication in the body worsening the side effects of the drug.
People who consume a high amount of alcohol while taking Acyclovir are more likely to experience severe side effects such as changes in vision and fainting. Generally, casual drinking or having a glass of wine is not considered problematic.
Does a moderate amount of alcohol interferes with Aciclovir treatment for Shingles
Usually, it is best to avoid consuming alcohol while you are under shingles treatment. Shingles caused by herpes zoster virus is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Mostly, an episode of shingles heals itself within a few weeks. However, seeking immediate treatment for shingles can speed up healing.
Often shingles treatment includes antiviral drugs such as Aciclovir (Zovirax) or Valacyclovir (Valtrex). These drugs can ease pain, boost healing and decrease the risk of associated complications.
Though alcohol warnings are not listed on the product labels for Aciclovir and other antiviral drugs used for treatment of shingles. Still, it is better to avoid mixing alcohol with medication, particularly in the case of shingles.
Drinking Alcohol while taking Aciclovir: possible side effects
Like any other medicines, Aciclovir tablets can also cause some unwanted side effects besides benefiting the user. However, not everybody experiences these side effects. Commonly, the majority of Aciclovir users do not experience side effects, still, it is always worth being aware of the possible side effects of any medication.
Possible side effects associated with combining Aciclovir and alcohol include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and drowsiness.
If you are prescribed Aciclovir medication by your medical professional and you experience any of these side effects due to mixing alcohol and Aciclovir tablets, you should stop drinking. In case the symptoms persist, seek immediate help from your doctor or pharmacist.
Use Aciclovir tablets safely to avoid any possible complications
It is very simple to use Aciclovir safely, just make sure you follow the instructions provided by your health care professional. Do not alter the dosage and treatment plan without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The dosage depends on your particular condition and age.
You can take Aciclovir with or without food your doctor tells you. Swallow each tablet with clean water. In case you forget to take your Aciclovir tablet, take the missed dose as promptly as you realize. If you realize that you missed a dose at the time of the next dose, skip the missed one and continue with the next one.
Is it safe to drink Alcohol while taking Aciclovir?
There are no comprehensive clinical studies about this issue and it may be safe to drink alcohol in moderation while taking Acyclovir. However, you should avoid heavy amounts of alcohol when taking antiviral medications because:
- Alcohol is an immune suppressant and recurrent outbreaks often happen when your immune system is weak.
- Alcohol can intensify side effects such as dizziness and nausea.
- As alcohol changes the immune response, frequent and heavy drinking can make you prone to recurrent herpes outbreaks as well as other viral infections.
Wrapping up
Probably you should avoid drinking alcohol when taking Aciclovir tablets. However, a glass of any alcoholic beverage is likely to be safe. Make sure you are not drinking frequently or in heavy amounts while you are taking Acyclovir medication.
