How Many Aciclovir Tablets Should I Take
The number of Aciclovir tablets you should take will vary, depending on the strength of the tablets and what youre using them for.
At The Independent Pharmacy, we offer the Aciclovir 400 mg dosage, which is used to treat recurring flare-ups of herpes.
If you are using this drug for this purpose, then you will probably be told to take one 400 mg tablet three times a day for five days, or for as long as is prescribed.
If you are taking it to prevent future recurrences, you will probably have to take two tablets a day for approximately three to six months.
Your doctor will be able to advise you further.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDAs Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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How Do Vzv Antivirals Work
Varicella-Zoster virus antivirals are used in the treatment of both varicella and zoster infections. VZV is also called human herpesvirus 3. The replication of VZV in infected cells can be blocked effectively by the administration of antiviral agents. VZV antiviral drugs get incorporated into viralDNA preventing further synthesis and viral replication.
The primaryinfection of VZV is varicella commonly known as chickenpox, and the reactivation of VZV – causes zoster or herpes zoster commonly known as shingles. VZV is highly contagious and transmitted predominantly by airborne droplet infection.
Acyclovir is active against most herpesviruses and is the standard therapeutic agent for the treatment of VZV infections. Acyclovir is converted into acyclovir monophosphate by the viral thymidine kinase enzyme, which is then converted into acyclovir triphosphate by the hostcell kinases. The formed ACV-TP competitively inhibits and inactivates virus DNA polymerase and prevents viral DNA synthesis and virus replication.
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Using Valacyclovir To Treat A Primary Outbreak Of Cold Sores
Valacyclovir is also used to treat primary outbreaks of cold sores, or oral herpes. The standard dosage of valacyclovir for managing a primary oral herpes outbreak is 2,000 mg every 12 hours for one day .
During a particularly severe or persistent outbreak, your doctor may recommend adjusting your valacyclovir dose or extending the dosage to provide greater relief. Follow your doctors advice and instructions for the best results from valacyclovir and other antiviral medication.
Avoid The Following While You Are Using Acyclovir Buccal Delayed
- Do not chew gum, touch, or press the buccal tablet after it has been applied.
- Do not wear upper dentures.
- Do not brush your teeth until it dissolves. If your teeth need to be cleaned while the tablet is in place, rinse the mouth gently.
Shake the suspension well before each use to mix the medication evenly.
Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with acyclovir. Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
Take or use acyclovir until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking acyclovir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated or may become more difficult to treat. The delayed-release buccal tablet is applied as a one-time dose.
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How To Use Cream For Cold Sores
Wash your hands before and after using the cream.
Put a thin layer of cream on the cold sore 5 times a day. Do this every 4 hours for example, at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm.
Use the cream for at least 4 days. If the cold sore has not healed by then, you can carry on using the cream for another 6 days.
If the cold sore still has not healed after a total of 10 days, stop using the cream and tell your doctor.
How To Use Cream For Genital Herpes
Wash your hands before and after using the cream.
Put a thin layer of cream on the affected area 5 times a day. Do this every 4 hours for example, at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm.
Use the cream for at least 5 days. If the genital herpes sore has not healed by then, you can carry on using the cream for another 5 days.
If the affected area has still not healed after a total of 10 days, stop using the cream and tell your doctor.
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How Should I Use This Medication
Genital herpes: The usual recommended adult dose for treating genital herpes is 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days. The usual recommended adult dose for preventing genital herpes infection from coming back varies but usually starts at 200 mg 3 times daily. You should start acyclovir as early as possible following the onset of signs and symptoms.
Shingles: The recommended dose for treating shingles is 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. Treatment should be started within 48 hours of onset of the rash or lesions for maximum benefit, however it may be started as late as 72 hours after lesions begin to form.
Chickenpox: The recommended dose for chickenpox is based on body weight. The usual dose is 20 mg per kilogram of body weight 4 times daily for 5 days. Therapy should be started within 24 hours of onset of the rash.
Tablets should be swallowed whole, with water. If you are using the suspension, the bottle should be shaken well before use. Use an oral syringe to measure each dose of the suspension, as it gives a more accurate measurement than household teaspoons.
Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.
Dosage For Shingles Genital Herpes Or Chickenpox
Adult dosage
- Shingles typical dosage: 800 mg every 4 hours, five times per day for 710 days.
- Genital herpes:
- Typical initial dosage: 200 mg every 4 hours, five times per day, for 10 days.
- Typical dosage for prevention of recurrent herpes: 400 mg twice per day, every day for up to 12 months. Other dosing plans may include doses ranging from 200 mg three times daily to 200 mg five times daily. Your doctor will decide how long you should take this drug to avoid a flare-up of the infection.
- Typical dosage for reinfection : 200 mg every 4 hours, five times per day, for 5 days. You should take this drug as soon as the first signs of a flare-up appear.
Child dosage
- Chickenpox typical dosage:
- Children who weigh 40 kg or less: 20 mg/kg of body weight, given four times per day for 5 days
- Children who weigh more than 40 kg: 800 mg four times per day for 5 days
Start this drug as soon as the first symptom of chickenpox appears. It isnt known if this drug is effective if your child starts it more than 24 hours after the first sign of chickenpox.
Child dosage
It hasnt been confirmed that acyclovir is safe and effective for children younger than 2 years.
Senior dosage
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What Other Drugs Interact With Acyclovir
If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of this medicine or any drug before seeking medical advice from your doctor, healthcare provider or pharmacist first. To do so may result in serious consequences or side effects.
Severe Interactions of Acyclovir include:
- There are no severe interactions from the use of acyclovir.
Serious Interactions of Acyclovir include:
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Acyclovir is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella , herpes zoster , and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes . Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus. Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure genital herpes and may not stop the spread of genital herpes to other people.
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Mechanism Of Action Of Aciclovir
To become effective, aciclovir must first be changed to aciclovir monophosphate by an enzyme that is only found in viruses, called thymidine kinase . It is then converted to its active triphosphate form by human enzymes found inside the cells.
CMV does not produce thymidine kinase so the antiviral activity of aciclovir in CMV infections is poor.
Aciclovir triphosphate is the active form of the drug. It reduces the production of viral DNA by competing with a natural compound, deoxyguanosine triphosphate, for the viral DNA polymerase enzyme. Incorporation of AT into the viral DNA completely prevents the synthesis of new DNA.
Viral DNA polymerase binds 1030 times more strongly to AT than the cellular DNA polymerase. This means aciclovir is not toxic.
Unfortunately, only about 1520% of the dose of aciclovir is absorbed through the gut wall, which means it must be taken frequently as it only active for two or three hours in the bloodstream.
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More Common Side Effects
Some of the more common side effects of acyclovir oral tablet include:
Disclaimer: Our goal is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this list includes all possible dosages. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Always speak with your doctor or pharmacist about dosages that are right for you.
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How Do Other Antivirals Work
Antivirals are medications used in the treatment and prevention of various types of viral infections. Other antivirals are medications that are not categorized into any specific classes of antivirals. Most of the other antivirals block viral replication by interfering with DNA polymerase, an enzymevital for DNA synthesis and viral replication.
Some of the other antivirals are active drugs that directly take effect, while some are prodrugs, which release the active form of the drug after being metabolized. Other antivirals include the following:
- Acyclovir: Acyclovir is an active drug effective against herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 that cause genital and oral herpes, and varicella-zoster virus which causes chickenpox and shingles. Acyclovir gets incorporated into the viral DNA, inhibits DNA polymerase, and terminates the DNA chain to prevent viral replication.
- Brincidofovir: Brincidofovir is a prodrug approved for treating human smallpox, a disease caused by the variola virus. Although smallpox has been eradicated with vaccination, concerns that the variola virus can be used as a bioweapon remain.
- Brincidofovir penetrates cells and releases cidofovir which is metabolized to produce cidofovir diphosphate, the active drug that selectively inhibits orthopoxvirus DNA polymerase-mediated viral DNA synthesis and reduces the rate of viral DNA synthesis.
- Herpes zoster infection , which is caused by reactivation of VZV
- Herpetic keratitis – Orphan
Whats The Difference Between The Different Aciclovir Dosages
There are multiple different Aciclovir dosages that are used to treat a range of infections and conditions. You can find out more about what this prescription treatment can do on our What Is Aciclovir Used For? page.
There are three main Aciclovir doses that are available in tablet or capsule form: 200mg, 400mg and 800mg.
There are also other different forms of Aciclovir: creams, oral suspension , or injection. Injections are usually only done in a hospital.
Here at The Independent Pharmacy, we offer Aciclovir 400mg tablets. These can be used to treat an outbreak treatment or as ongoing suppression treatment for genital herpes.
Below you can find some more information about the different Aciclovir dosages available:
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About Acyclovir For Herpes
Even though acyclovir is meant to be an effective antiviral drug, it should not be mistaken as a cure. The medication can treat outbreaks, but the infection remains inside of the body between each outbreak instance. This means that the drug is a form of management, allowing for those who suffer from herpes to live more comfortably.
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Additionally, the drug can help sores heal faster and soothe outbreak areas, preventing future sores from forming while decreasing the local pain and itching. For individuals who suffer from a weaker immune system, taking acyclovir can help contain the virus, limiting its spread to other body parts, which greatly reduces the risks of especially serious infections.
Warnings For Certain Groups
For people with kidney problems: If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear this drug from your body well. This may increase the levels of this drug in your body and cause more side effects.
This medication may also decrease your kidney function. This means your kidney disease may get worse. Your doctor will adjust your dose depending on how well your kidneys are working.
For pregnant women: Acyclovir is a category B pregnancy drug. That means two things:
Talk to your doctor if youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
For women who are breastfeeding: Acyclovir may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your baby. You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this medication.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, more of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
For children: This drug hasnt been studied in children younger than 2 years.
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What Are Side Effects Associated With Using Acyclovir
Common side effects or health problems may include:
- Oral medication
- Severe allergic reaction
This is not a complete list of side effects and other serious side effects or health problems may occur as a result of the use of this drug. Call your doctor for medical advice about serious side effects or adverse reactions. You may report side effects or health problems to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
How To Use Eye Ointment
Put the ointment in the affected eye 5 times a day, or as your doctor advises.
Try not to let the tip of the eye ointment tube touch any part of your eye. This is to keep it free from germs.
Space the times when you use the eye ointment evenly throughout the day for example at 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm.
Keep using the eye ointment for at least 3 days after your eye has got better.
If you wear contact lenses, do not use them while you’re using the eye ointment. This is because some medicines or preservatives in eye ointments can build up in contact lenses and may damage them.
Your vision might become a little blurred after you use the eye ointment. Blink several times after putting the eye ointment in to help clear your vision. Do not drive, cycle or use any tools or machinery until you can see clearly again.
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