Aciclovir belongs to the antivirals group of medicine and is used to treat viral infections. It works against certain viral infections by destroying and averting the growth of viruses. Aciclovir comes in various forms and dosages. The correct dose for a certain individual depends on the condition and initial infection or recurrence etc.
Let’s know more about Aciclovir and the best time to take the Acyclovir tablets.
What is Aciclovir?
The antiviral medication Aciclovir is used to treat infections caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) including genital herpes, cold sores, and other herpes simplex infections. Aciclovir is used used to treat infections such as chickenpox and shingles which are caused by the same family of viruses.
Uses of Aciclovir medications
- Genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus
- Cold sores around the mouth caused by herpes simplex
- Shingles caused by herpes zoster
- Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster
Acyclovir is also used to treat genital herpes outbreaks. Using acyclovir medication for people with frequent outbreaks helps lessen the count of future episodes. The antiviral drug is not a complete cure for these infections.
Aciclovir treatment help ease the symptoms of these infections. It also helps prevent the sufferer spread genital herpes to some extent.
These viruses continue to live inside the body and cause future episodes. Aciclovir diminishes the harshness and the length of outbreaks. For cold sores, it boosts the healing process and prevents new sore formation decreasing pain and itching.
Aciclovir help reduces the occurrence of pain after the sores heal. Additionally, in people with a weakened immune system and older adults, Aciclovir help reduces the risk of the virus spreading to other body parts and causing severe infections.
In some cases, for treating herpes of the genitals, brain, or mucous membranes your doctor may give Aciclovir in injection form.
When is The Best Time to Take Aciclovir Tablets?
The best time to take acyclovir tablets is as soon as you notice the very first symptom of infection. Aciclovir tablets work best when you take them at the initial sign of an outbreak and exactly as suggested by your doctor or pharmacist. This medication may not work its best if you delay the treatment.
In the case of chickenpox, proceed with Aciclovir tablets immediately as you see the first sign of chickenpox. Aciclovir works best when taken within 24 hours of the symptom appearing.
Aciclovir 200 mg
Aciclovir 200mg is the basic dose of Aciclovir medication that is available in capsule and tablet form. It can be prescribed as an initial dose for those who contracted genital herpes for the first time. It is recommended to take this medicine 5 times a day for 7 to 10 days.
Your doctor may also prescribe you Aciclovir 200 mg tablets if you are experiencing a flare up of the infection. In this case, the usual dosage is 5 times a day for 5 days. The same dosage may also be prescribed for the treatment of cold sores.
Aciclovir 400mg Tablets
Do not use Aciclovir 400 mg tablets if you are allergic to Valaciclovir, Aciclovir, or other ingredients of this drug mentioned on the patient information leaflet. Take this medicine as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
If you have any kind of kidney problems or kidney diseases or your age is over 65 years, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before using Aciclovir 400 mg. It is extremely vital to drink plenty of water while using Aciclovir 400 mg tablets.
If your doctor prescribed you to take Aciclovir 400mg, make sure you tell them if you are taking any other medicines presently. Tell your doctor about any other medications including prescription or non-prescription medications and herbal supplements.
Particularly, your doctor should know if you are taking Probenecid (used to treat gout), Cimetidine (used for stomach ulcers), or Mycophenolate mofetil (used to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs).
Aciclovir 800 mg
Aciclovir 800mg can be prescribed to treat many viral infections including shingles and chickenpox. Usually, it is recommended to take 5 times a day for seven to ten days for shingles treatment. For chickenpox, acyclovir 800 mg should be taken 4 times a day for 5 days.
How to Take Acyclovir Medication?
First of all, take Aciclovir tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Usually, it is recommended to take this medicine by mouth with a small glass of water. You can take the drug with or without food as recommended by your doctor 2 to 5 times a day.
If you are using Aciclovir in liquid form or Aciclovir oral suspension, make sure you shake the bottle of oral suspension well every time before you use it. Measure each dose of medication carefully with the special measuring spoon that comes with the medicine.
Avoid using your regular kitchen spoons to measure the oral suspension to ensure the right dosage. Drink the liquid completely to ensure the full dose of medicine.
This drug acts best when you maintain a constant level of the drug in your body. So make sure you take Aciclovir at evenly spaced intervals of time. Complete the prescribed course of the drug for faster and complete recovery.
Do not change or skip your doses or stop taking Aciclovir without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. When it comes to storage store this medicine away from the range of children and at normal room temperature.
Dosage of Aciclovir
Usually, the exact dosage of Aciclovir medication depends on the medical condition you need to treat and the response to treatment. In children, the dosage of Aciclovir is based on body weight.
Aciclovir Dosage for Cold Sores and Genital Herpes
The usual Aciclovir dosage for cold sores and genital herpes is one 200 mg tablet that should be taken 5 times a day. You need to maintain at least four hours gap between each dosage. For example, 7 am, 11 am, 3 pm, 7 pm, and 11 pm. Generally, it is a 5-day treatment, however, your doctor may extend the duration depending on your condition.
Aciclovir improves healing and recovery, however, it does not protect completely against the spreading of genital herpes infections. You should avoid having sexual contact with your partner to minimize the chances of spreading the infection to your partner.
Aciclovir Dosage for Chickenpox and Shingles
Usually, doctors prescribe two 400 mg tablets that need to be taken 5 times a day. You should maintain at least 4 hours gap between each dose for example if you take the first dose of Aciclovir at 6 am the next doses should be taken at 10 am, 2 pm, 6 pm, and 10 pm. Generally, this treatment is prescribed for seven days.
Preventing these infections from returning once you are exposed to these viruses
The commonly recommended dosage is one 200 mg tablet should be taken 4 times a day. Make sure you maintain 6 hours gap between each dose. You need to take this drug as recommended until your doctor or pharmacist asks you to stop.
Your health care provider may adjust the usual dose of Aciclovir 200 mg or 400 mg tablets if you are a child, above 65 years of age, you have kidney problems or a weak immune system.
Taking a too-high dose of Aciclovir medicine may increase the chances of possible side effects or an adverse reaction to the drug. It may also impact your treatment and slow down your recovery. In case of an overdose, call the local poison control center.
On the other hand, taking a too-low dose of Aciclovir means you are not getting sufficient doses to treat your infections. If you are taking Aciclovir to prevent flare-ups of your infection, it is vital to maintain a certain level in your body. Otherwise, it may not work well or even completely stop working.
What to do in case of a missed dose of Aciclovir?
If you skipped a dose by mistake, take the missed dose immediately as you remember. However, if you remember at the time of your next dose, skip the missed one. Do not get a double dose in order to take the missed one. Just skip it and continue with the next dose.
It is highly important to get the right dosage of Aciclovir. You should always take this medicine as your doctor tells or stick to the direction given on the patient leaflet as advised.
Possible side effects of Aciclovir
Like any other medicine, Aciclovir may also cause some minor or serious side effects although not every user gets them. Usually, these side effects get better within a few days. Some common side effects of this medicine include feeling sick, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, tiredness, and headache.
Serious side effects of Aciclovir include confusion, seizures, and symptoms of unusual bleeding or bruising. Some people may also have an allergic reaction to Aciclovir. Some common allergic reactions include itching, skin rash, difficulty breathing, and swelling around the face, lips, or mouth.
If you notice an allergic reaction after taking Aciclovir or experience more severe side effects or any other side effects, stop taking this medication and call your doctor immediately to get medical help.
Closing words
Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine that can be accessed only on a prescription. It is commonly used to treat herpes infections, recurrent herpes, and other viral infections. The best time to take Aciclovir is as soon as you notice the first signs or symptoms of infection.
It works best when you take the tablets within 24 hours after the initial symptoms appear. Make sure you take Aciclovir correctly as suggested by your doctor. Drink plenty of water and fluids while taking aciclovir treatment.
