Acyclovir 400 mg, 800 mg Prescribed Online

Acyclovir is a prescription medication used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats cold sores around the mouth, shingles and chickenpox. This medication is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes.

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal.¹

Take acyclovir by mouth with or without food as directed by your doctor, usually 2 to 5 times a day. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication unless your doctor directs you otherwise.² This medication is most effective when started at the first sign of an outbreak, as directed by your doctor. It may not work as well if you delay treatment.

This medication works best when the amount of drug in your body is kept at a constant level. Take this drug at evenly spaced intervals. To help you remember, take it at the same times each day.

Continue to take this medication until the full prescribed amount is finished. Do not change your dose, skip any doses, or stop this medication early without your doctor's approval.³

Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets worse.

Acyclovir begins to work within 24 to 48 hours after you start taking it. It may take four or five days for symptoms to reduce, but you should continue consuming the medication until the prescribed course is complete. It will help to reduce the chance of recurrence.

The viruses that cause shingles and herpes infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.⁴

When acyclovir is used to treat shingles, 800 mg is usually taken five times a day for seven to ten days.

When used to treat chickenpox, 800 mg is usually taken four times a day for five days.

When acyclovir is used to treat repeat outbreaks of genital herpes, 200 to 400 mg is usually taken two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months, depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.⁵

Take acyclovir exactly as directed.

Acyclovir is available by prescription⁶ and can be purchased online. Start a low-cost online consult for shingles or cold sores with RedBox Rx to see if acyclovir could be right for you.

Acyclovir starts at $30 per treatment with RedBox Rx, one of the lowest prices available online. No insurance required.

Before taking acyclovir:

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex), any other medications, milk proteins, or any of the ingredients in acyclovir products. Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients.

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: amphotericin B (Fungizone); aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Nes-RX, Neo-Fradin), paramomycin (Humatin), streptomycin, and tobramycin (Tobi, Nebcin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, Sandimmune); medications to treat HIV or AIDS such as zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT); pentamidine (NebuPent); probenecid (Benemid); sulfonamides such as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim); tacrolimus (Prograf); and vancomycin. Many other medications may also interact with acyclovir, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking, even those that do not appear on this list. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.

• Tell your doctor if there is a possibility you may be dehydrated from a recent illness or activity, or if you have or have ever had problems with your immune system; human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV); acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS); or kidney disease.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking acyclovir, call your doctor.

• If you are taking acyclovir to treat genital herpes, you should know that genital herpes can be spread through sexual contact even if you don't have blisters or other symptoms and possibly even if you are taking acyclovir. Talk to your doctor about ways to stop the spread of genital herpes and about whether your partner(s) should receive treatment.

Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking or using acyclovir.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Acyclovir may cause side effects including:

• Upset stomach.

• Vomiting.

• Diarrhea.

• Dizziness.

• Tiredness.

• Agitation.

• Pain, especially in the joints.

• Hair loss.

• Changes in vision.

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

Acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it comes in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) 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 – 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.

In case of overdose, call the Poison Control Center helpline at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at 911.

Keep all appointments with your doctor.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the famciclovir, call your doctor.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over the counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

• Zovirax®

• Sitavig®

1. WebMD

2. WebMD

3. WebMD

4. Mayo Clinic

5. Mayo Clinic

6. Mayo Clinic

National Library of Medicine