Aciclovir: Uses and Dosage
Aciclovir FAQ
How does aciclovir help with cold sores and genital herpes?
Herpes simplex viruses cause cold sores and genital herpes. Aciclovir works by preventing viruses from multiplying, and this reduces the severity of the infection and stops it from spreading. As well as treating infections, aciclovir can also be prescribed to prevent some viral infections from occurring.
What are the side effects of aciclovir?
Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of patients) associated with systemic aciclovir therapy (oral or IV) include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, encephalopathy (with IV use only), injection site reactions (with IV use only) and headache. In high doses, hallucinations have been reported.
How does acyclovir work?
Acyclovir belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. Acyclovir works by lowering the ability of the herpes virus to multiply in your body. This treats the symptoms of your infection.
What is aciclovir used for?
Aciclovir was seen as the start of a new era in antiviral therapy, as it is extremely selective and low in cytotoxicity. Since discovery in mid 1970s, it has been used as an effective drug for the treatment of infections caused by most known species of the herpesvirus family, including herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses.
What is Intravenous aciclovir used for?
Intravenous aciclovir is effective to treat severe medical conditions caused by different species of the herpes virus family, including severe localized infections of herpes virus, severe genital herpes, chickenpox and herpesviral encephalitis.
Can aciclovir be used for genital herpes zoster?
Aciclovir tablets are indicated for use in adult patients for: (1) the treatment of first episode (primary or non-primary) genital herpes and the management of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in certain patients. (2) the treatment of acute attacks of herpes zoster ( shingles) when the duration of rash is less than 72 hours.
What is aciclovir sodium used for?
Aciclovir sodium is used to treat number of different conditions caused by viruses, such as shingles and herpes, especially in patients who have reduced immunity. Aciclovir Viatris belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. Aciclovir Viatris works by preventing the multiplication of the virus which is causing the condition.
Can aciclovir be used to treat chickenpox?
Drink plenty of water. It is important that you don't become lacking in fluid in the body (dehydrated). Aciclovir is used to treat two common viral infections - varicella-zoster and herpes simplex. The varicella-zoster virus is the cause of chickenpox and shingles. Herpes simplex viruses cause cold sores and genital herpes.
Aciclovir References
If you want to know more about Aciclovir, consider exploring links below:
What Is Aciclovir
- https://www.drugs.com/acyclovir.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aciclovir
- https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/acyclovir-oral-tablet
- https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/aciclovir/
- https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-941/acyclovir-oral/details
- https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicines/brand/amt,797081000168104/aciclovir-an
- https://patient.info/medicine/aciclovir-for-viral-infections-zovirax
- https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681045.html