People who have ever suffered from genital herpes or some other viral infections may have heard about Aciclovir 400 mg. So here we are going to talk about Aciclovir and how long Aciclovir 400 takes to work.
Key points about Aciclovir 400 mg
- Acyclovir medicine is available as an oral tablet, buccal tablet, capsule, oral suspension, ointment, and cream.
- The Aciclovir medication is available in 200 mg, 400 mg, and 800 mg.
- Aciclovir also comes as an intravenous drug that is only administered by a healthcare professional.
- Acyclovir 400 mg has activity against Herpes Simplex virus HSV 1, 2, and Varicella Zoster virus.
- Aciclovir is used to treat infections including varicella (chicken pox), genital herpes, and shingles.
- Acyclovir medicine may interact with other prescription medications and can be harmful or prevent it from working accurately.
What is Aciclovir?
Aciclovir is an antiviral drug that is used to treat viral infections such as herpes, chickenpox, shingles, and genital herpes. The medicine is accessible on prescription in the form of tablets to treat genital herpes outbreaks, oral suspension, and creams to treat cold sores or fever blisters. In hospitals, doctors may use intravenous acyclovir medicine when required.
Sometimes doctors may prescribe Aciclovir tablets with other medication for combination therapy. Antiviral medications such as the Aciclovir capsule are not a complete cure for herpes simplex. Acyclovir 400 mg performs as an inhibitor of herpes virus DNA polymerase.
Aciclovir marks the enzymes required by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) to imitate and grow. The drug stops the further production of these enzymes so the virus is not able to reproduce and create more blisters. The process makes the immune system capable to fight remaining viruses effectively and stop the outbreak.
However, these can relieve symptoms and aid in faster recovery during the outbreak. Antivirals can also be recommended as long-term suppressive therapy for frequent herpes outbreaks.
Uses of Aciclovir 400 mg, 200 mg, and 800 mg
Aciclovir medicine is prescribed to treat certain viruses. Generally, doctors prescribe Aciclovir 400 mg for herpes viral infections including cold sores around the mouth, Herpes simplex type1 and type2, and Varicella zoster which also causes shingles and chicken pox.
The medication is also used to cure genital herpes outbreaks or frequent outbreaks to diminish future episodes. Aciclovir doesn’t cure the outbreak, however, it decreases the brutality and length of the outbreak.
Aciclovir 400 mg capsule heals the sore faster and prevents new sore formation decreasing the pain and itching. The drug also reduces the pain that remains after the sores heal.
Moreover, acyclovir can reduce the chances of the virus spreading to other body parts and causing grave infections in people with weak immune systems.
Aciclovir and treatable conditions
Aciclovir capsule or tablet can be used to treat infections caused by various viruses. Your doctor or pharmacist may prescribe a certain Aciclovir dosage depending on the condition and its severity.
Aciclovir for genital herpes treatment
Genital herpes symptoms appear around 2 to 12 days after exposure to the virus. Typically genital herpes can not be cured, once you come in contact with the virus, it stays within your body lifelong. However, the symptoms can be relieved with proper treatment.
As the virus resides inside the body, it causes outbreaks at certain intervals. Aciclovir tablets ease genital herpes symptoms and prevent them from getting worse. The drug may shorten the genital herpes outbreak by 1 to 2 days.
Aciclovir Medication for Shingles treatment
The condition occurs when the Varicella-zoster virus (responsible for chickenpox) reactivates. After you recovered from chickenpox, the virus remains inactive in the nervous system and it can get activated anytime again causing shingles.
Treatment can aid the healing of shingles within a few weeks. Aciclovir 400 mg tablet decreases the outbreak duration promptly when you take it as soon as you remember or within 2-3 days of noticing symptoms.
Aciclovir and cold sores treatment
Cold sores are caused by the Herpes Simplex virus (HSV). Initial symptoms are a tingling or itching sensation before the blisters appear around the lips and nose. Until the blisters dry out and disappear, cold sores can be infectious spreading to anyone who comes in contact.
Aciclovir cream can resolve cold sores within a few days. Once you get infected, the virus stays in the nerve sheath for lifelong. Usually, the virus remains inactive after treatment but it can get activated at certain gaps and cause a cold sore.
Aciclovir Medication for Chickenpox treatment
Chickenpox is caused by the Varicella zoster virus. If the children are healthy, they do not require chickenpox treatment as it resolves on its own.
A doctor or pharmacist prescribes acyclovir tablets for children and adults at high risk of getting complications. Acyclovir 400 shortens the duration of infection and reduces the associated complications.
Aciclovir for thrush treatment
Sometimes, herpes virus infections have the same symptoms as yeast infections (thrush). Genital herpes causes blisters in a particular area of the genitals. However, thrush impacts the entire area causing irritation, itching, and burning sensation in the top of the penis or vaginal area.
Aciclovir 400 mg tablet or capsule is not a suitable drug for thrush treatment because aciclovir is an antiviral medicine.
The recommended dose of Aciclovir by a Doctor or Pharmacist
You need to take the medicine as long as it is prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking the Acyclovir tablet or capsule before consulting. Usually, it is suggested to take acyclovir for five to 10 days.
Take Aciclovir as suggested by your doctor with or without food. In case you are not able to swallow the tablet, you can drink it by dissolving it in water. Drink plenty of water when taking Aciclovir to make sure your kidneys are functioning well.
Do not stop taking Acyclovir before you complete the prescribed course even if symptoms improve. Tell your doctor and do what they suggest.
Infants 0-1 year
There is no confirmation that Aciclovir is safe and effective for infants and children below 2 years so no doctor or pharmacist prescribes that.
Children 2 to 17 years old
For chickenpox, children with 40kg or less weight were prescribed 20mg/kg of body weight, 4 times daily for 5 days. For children with more than 40kg weight, it is prescribed to take Aciclovir 800 mg 4 times daily for 5 days.
For adults 18-64 years
- The typical dose for Shingles is 800 mg tablet every 4 hours, five times a day for 7 to 10 days.
- For genital herpes treatment, the initial dosage is Acyclovir 200 mg capsule every 4 hours, 5 times a day for 10 days.
- For avoiding recurrent herpes doctor may recommend taking Aciclovir 400 mg, tablet 2 times per day for up to a year. The doctor or pharmacist may alter the dosage depending on the response.
- For reinfection of genital herpes, the doctor may prescribe taking Aciclovir 200 mg capsule every 4 hours, Five times a day for 5 days. Make sure no dose skip the missed dose.
- For chickenpox take Aciclovir 800 mg tablet or capsule 4 times per day for 5 days. Start taking this drug as soon as you notice the very first symptom of chickenpox and continue with the next dose.
Older adults above 65 years
Older adults may have kidney problems and their kidneys do not function as well as they should. It may make the body process the Aciclovir drug steadily. That means the drug stays in their body for a longer time. It increases the risk of possible side effects.
The doctor may begin treatment with a smaller dose of Acyclovir tablets or a unique medication schedule to avoid the drug from building up in the body. later they may suggest the next dose observing the response and effects of the medicine.
Aciclovir tablets 400mg how long does it take to work
Aciclovir is one of the most effective antiviral drugs. It works best if you take the Aciclovir capsule within 72 hours after you experience the initial symptoms. Take the Aciclovir tablet as soon as possible to ensure the effectiveness of the drug.
The time Aciclovir takes to work hinges on various factors such as the dosage, symptoms, how soon you started the treatment, whether you are taking Aciclovir tablets or ointment and it is new to you or a repeated outbreak.
When you take an acyclovir tablet, it stays for 2.5 to 3.5 hours in a healthy adult body. In children and elderly people, the drugs may stay in the system for a longer time as their metabolism is slow.
If you start taking the Aciclovir tablets soon after the symptoms appear, often the outbreak goes within two days. Aciclovir may take around 2 hours to reach the peak concentrations in your body after you take an Acyclovir tablet.
Once you begin with the treatment you may experience relieving symptoms within 1-2 days. If you are taking Aciclovirtablets for the first time, you may need to complete a 10-day medication course.
The results are not rapid always so make sure you complete your treatment course as instructed by the doctor or pharmacist.
Let’s see how long Aciclovir 400 mg capsule and tablet take to work for various issues.
How long does it take for Aciclovir to work for herpes
People who never had genital herpes or cold sore before and experiencing it for the first time should seek treatment immediately. Early symptoms of mouth sores and genital herpes include itching and tingling sensation around your respective body parts.
Acyclovir may take around 2 weeks to heal blisters completely. However, the infection may remain quite longer in people with a weak immune system.
Aciclovir tablets 400 mg how long does it take to work for recurrent herpes outbreaks
There is no complete cure for the herpes zoster virus so taking a dose of an Aciclovir capsule does not ensure that it will prevent future outbreaks. The reappearance of blisters may vary from person to person.
Aciclovir tablets and oral suspension provide quick relief for recurrent genital herpes however lesions may take more time to heal. Make sure you take Aciclovir immediately after symptoms appear.
About to happen recurrent outbreaks feel like itching or tingling sensations. If you take the Aciclovir tablet right after you notice these symptoms, it can prevent genital herpes-associated blisters.
Precautions while taking Acyclovir 400 mg 200 mg or 800 mg
Before starting the drug tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs and talk to your doctor thoroughly about your medical history. Your doctor or pharmacist may also ask particularly about kidney problems, HIV diseases any kind of transplant, etc.
It is extremely vital to stay hydrated when taking acyclovir. Drink plenty of water and liquids while you are taking Aciclovir medication and follow the doctor’s recommendations.
Older adults can be more vulnerable to possible side effects of the medicine which may include kidney problems, mood changes, hallucinations, back pain, dizziness, etc.
Acyclovir 200 mg, 400 mg, or 800 mg tablet doesn’t protect against the infection of the genital herpes virus, it eases symptoms and diminishes severity. To avoid spreading the infection do not have sexual contact during outbreaks of genital.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should only take Aciclovir tablets if these are highly required. The drugs pass into the breast milk so make sure to talk to your doctor. Usually, it is safe to take the Acyclovir tablet or apply the cream while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Side effects associated with Aciclovir 200 mg, 400 mg, or 800 mg
Common side effects of the Aciclovir tablet may include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, fatigue, fever, skin reactions, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
The rare side effects of the Aciclovir tablet may include confusion, drowsiness, anemia, kidney problems, liver problems, and movement issues. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these side effects.
in case you are taking Acyclovir for a longer time and you notice weight fluctuations talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Concluding words
Acyclovir 200 mg, 400 mg, or 800 mg tablet is an effective and safe antiviral medicine with rare side effects. It is widely used for the treatment of viral infections ranging from herpes simplex virus HSV to genital herpes and cold sore.
These antiviral drugs are also used to treat chickenpox, and shingles that are caused by a virus quite similar to HSV.
The type and dosages of Acyclovir tablet recommended may vary from person to person depending on various factors. Make sure you follow the instructions given by your doctor or pharmacist.
