Acyclovir medicine is used for the treatment of infections caused by certain viruses. The prescription drug Acyclovir improves symptoms and boosts the healing process in people suffering from genital herpes, oral herpes, shingles or chickenpox.
Sometimes Acyclovir is also used to prevent genital herpes outbreaks in patients who are infected with the virus. Acyclovir is sold under different brand names. The brand name Sitavig is only recommended for the treatment of cold sores on the lips and not in the genital area.
Is Acyclovir an Antibiotic Drug?
Acyclovir is not an antibiotic but an antiviral drug. It treats the infections by decreasing the virus’s ability to reproduce and spread in the body. Whereas antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Acyclovir medication is only effective against particular viruses, not bacteria.
What is Acyclovir?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Acyclovir in the year 2002. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug mainly used to treat HSV (Herpes Simplex Virus), shingles and chickenpox. Acyclovir is a prescription medicine and it can also be used to treat other virus infections.
Acyclovir oral medication is only available as a generic drug. Acyclovir medication is available in the form of capsules, suspension and buccal tablets. It is also available in the form of Acyclovir cream and ointment applied on the skin. Intravenous Acyclovir is only administered by a healthcare professional.
Acyclovir does not cure herpes infections however it improves the symptoms and speeds up the healing process. The medicine works by preventing the growth and spread of herpes virus.
What Conditions Can Be Treated with The Antiviral Drug Acyclovir?
- Herpes Simplex (Mucocutaneous or Immunocompetent Host)
- Herpes Simplex (Mucocutaneous or Immunocompromised Host)
- Herpes Simplex Encephalitis
- Herpes Simplex Labialis
- Herpes Simplex (Suppression)
- Herpes Simplex (Congenital)
- Varicella Zoster (Prophylaxis)
- Varicella Pneumonitis
- Herpes Zoster
- Herpes Zoster (Prophylaxis)
- Herpes Zoster Iridocyclitis
- Herpes Zoster Peripheral Neuropathy
- Herpes Zoster Meningitis
- Herpes Zoster Otitis Externa
- Herpes Zoster Myelitis
Uses of Acyclovir
Acyclovir is broadly prescribed to treat certain infections caused by viruses. It is used to treat cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus, shingles caused by herpes zoster virus and chickenpox caused by varicella zoster. Acyclovir is also used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes. It can also reduce the count of future episodes in people experiencing frequent outbreaks.
The antiviral drug Acyclovir is not a complete cure for these infections. The viruses responsible for these infections do not die when you take Acyclovir, they continue to stay in your body even between the outbreaks. Acyclovir reduces the length and severity of outbreaks.
Acyclovir allows the sores to heal speedily, reduces the associated pain or itching and prevents the formation of new sores. It also helps decrease the duration of pain after the sores heal. Additionally, in patients with a weakened immune system, Acyclovir reduces the risk of the virus spreading to other body parts that may develop serious infections.
Secondary Uses of Acyclovir
Sometimes Acyclovir is also used to treat certain other medical conditions including Eczema herpeticum (skin infection caused by the herpes virus), oral hairy leukoplakia (hairy grey or white coloured patches inside thr mouth and on the tongue) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
How It Works Against Genital Herpes And Other Infections
Acyclovir medication works by decreasing the ability of the herpes virus to replicate inside your body. This way it eases the symptoms of infection. The drug does not kill the virus or cure the infections, it only treats the symptoms and boosts healing.
Even after taking this medication, the herpes virus stays inside your body inactively. It may get active after certain periods and may cause symptoms in the future.
Acyclovir works great when you begin it at the first sign of an outbreak or immediately when the cold sore appears as recommended by your doctor. It may not work as well when you start taking this medicine late or delay the treatment. Also, it works best when the amount of medicine in the body is maintained at a constant level. So take the medicine at evenly spaced intervals.
Acyclovir starts working within 24 to 48 hours after taking it. It can take around 4-5 days to reduce the symptoms but still patients should keep taking the medicine until their doctor says to stop. It helps lessen the possible chance of recurrence of infection.
Can Acyclovir Treat Bacterial Infections?
Acyclovir is widely prescribed to treat various infections caused by viruses mainly herpes virus. It is not a prescribed treatment for the common cold, cough, flu or other bacterial infections.
Antiviral medications help your immune system combat the infections that are caused by viruses. Viruses and bacteria are different structurally which is why antibiotics are not effective for viruses but work for bacterial infections and antivirals are not effective on bacteria but work for viral infections.
Acyclovir is prescribed to treat infections caused by certain viruses including herpes simplex virus and herpes zoster virus. As the drug works by reducing the ability to grow and spread in the body, it does not affect bacteria.
How to Use Acyclovir Medication for Herpes Infections
Read the prescription label carefully. Take the medicine orally with or without food as suggested by your healthcare professional. It is recommended to take this medicine 2 to 5 times a day. When you are taking this medicine, make sure to hydrate yourself well and drink plenty of fluids and water.
If your doctor has prescribed Acyclovir in liquid form, shake the bottle every time you use it. measure the dose carefully with a given measuring spoon or device to ensure the correct dose. Do not use your regular kitchen spoon.
If your doctor has prescribed Acyclovir buccal tablets, keep the flat side of the tablet against the upper gum, on the same side of your mouth as the cold sore. Let the buccal tablet dissolve in your mouth. While the tablet is inside your mouth, you can eat and drink like you do normally.
The dosage of Acyclovir depends on the medical condition and the patient’s response to the treatment. For pediatric patient, the dosage of Acyclovir depends on their body weight. Take this medicine until the prescribed course is completed. Do not change or skip doses without talking to your doctor. If your condition doesn’t get better or last longer consult your doctor.
Always take Acyclovir as prescribed by your doctor. Complete the prescribed course even if you feel that your symptoms have improved. Stopping the medication early can allow the infection to come back. Keep the lesions clean and dry and wear loose cloths to avoid irritation in lesions.
If you missed taking a dose, take it immediately as you remember. If you remember about the missed dose when it is almost time for your next dose skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Skipping your doses can increase the risk of the virus becoming resistant to drugs.
Possible Side Effects of Acyclovir
Seek emergency medical attention if you experience difficulty breathing, signs of an allergic reaction, hives or swelling around your face, tongue, lips or throat.
Talk to your doctor if you have behavioural changes, confusion, hallucination, rash, itching, headache, nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, pain in the mouth while using a buccal tablet, mild pain in the skin, signs of kidney problems (little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, short of breath, feeling tired, swelling in your ankles or feet) and bleeding, red or purple pinpoint spots under the skin.
Precautions You Need To Take
Tell your healthcare provider if you are allergic to Acyclovir, its ingredients or if you have any other allergies before taking this drug. Acyclovir may comprise inactive ingredients which may cause allergic reactions or other issues.
Inform your doctor about your medical history, particularly about if you have immune system problems (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or kidney disease. Make sure your healthcare provider knows about any prescription drugs, non-prescription medications or any other medications you are using to avoid any drug interactions.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the possible side effects of Acyclovir such as kidney problems, drowsiness, dizziness and mental changes such as loss of consciousness, hallucination or confusion.
Taking Acyclovir does not protect the sufferer from spreading genital herpes to other people. Patients can spread genital herpes even if they don’t have symptoms. It is recommended to avoid having sexual contact during the genital herpes outbreak. Use effective barrier methods while having intercourse.
Acyclovir For Long Term (Herpes Virus Treatment)
Patients can take this drug for the long term. In certain conditions including recurring genital herpes, the healthcare provider may recommend oral Acyclovir for over 10 months. Acyclovir has demonstrated great response and has significantly controlled infection recurrences without causing any considerable side effects when used in the long term.
Acyclovir During Pregnancy And While Breastfeeding
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Herpes infections can pass to your child during childbirth if the mother has genital lesions during childbirth. If a pregnant woman has genital herpes, it is imperative to prevent or treat herpes lesions during pregnancy. Take your medication exactly as directed by your healthcare professional to manage your condition appropriately. Breastfeeding your child while taking this medicine may not be safe so it’s better to ask your doctor about possible risks.
Acyclovir Overdose
Just like any other prescription drug, taking too much of Acyclovir medication may lead to drug overdose and can cause serious side effects. In case you get overdosed and experience severe symptoms such as trouble breathing or passing out call a local poison control center as soon as possible.
