Treatments

Medically reviewed by. Last updated on Aug 25, 2024.

Types of treatmentthat work

Aciclovir tablets

• Aciclovir 800mg
• Aciclovir 800mg tablets
• Aciclovir 400mg

How does aciclovir tablets work?

Aciclovir tablets work by inhibiting the herpes virus (herpes simplex) that causes cold sores. The active substance in the tablet is aciclovir hydrochloride, which is the same as the active substance in the tablet you swallow. When the active substance in your tablet comes into contact with your blood, your body processes the drug in a way that causes the cold sore to heal faster. You should take aciclovir tablets at the same time every day, but don't take it more than once a day.

Your healthcare provider will determine how the tablets should be stored and how they should be handled. The medication you take is different from aciclovir tablets, but both are effective. In addition to the different uses of aciclovir tablets, you can expect to find that the tablets are not safe for women who have had a cold sore in the past, or for people who are pregnant, or who are breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, talk with your healthcare provider about the possible risks associated with using the medication. If you experience any symptoms of an allergic reaction, call your healthcare provider right away. Your healthcare provider should tell you what to do to manage any symptoms.

Aciclovir tablets side effects

• Aciclovir tablets side effects can include dizziness, drowsiness, headache, flushing, indigestion, and diarrhea.
• Aciclovir tablets may cause unusual bleeding or bruising, such as bruising that looks like blood or dark red particles or blood that looks like blood or blood that looks like blood or blood.
• If you experience any severe side effects, you should seek medical attention right away. In rare cases, aciclovir tablets may cause a serious condition calledcholestasis.

Aciclovir tablets may cause, a form of liver disease.

Aciclovir side effects

• Aciclovir tablets may cause a mild orswelling of the hands or feet
• You should tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of these conditions:
• Heart disease, a history of heart attack or stroke, a recent history of heart failure, heart attack or stroke, blood clotting problems, high blood pressure, high potassium levels, or a family history of hereditary eye disease, especially if your family history includes the herpes virus.
• You should not drink alcohol while you are taking aciclovir tablets unless it is safe for you to do so.

Treatment of herpes simplex infections

• Aciclovir tablets may be used to treat infections caused by viruses, including cold sores. This medication is most effective when used within 72 hours of a cold sore, but it may take longer for cold sores to heal and for the cold sore to spread to other parts of the body, such as the skin.
• Aciclovir tablets is safe for most people who have an infection caused by herpes viruses. Aciclovir tablets can be used to treat cold sores by reducing the amount of the virus in your body. For example, aciclovir tablets may be used to treat cold sores when a cold sore is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1).

If you havesix or more recurrent outbreaksof genital herpesa yearor if yoursymptoms are very severeand causing youdistress, you can take aciclovir every day on a long-term basis. This issuppressive treatmentand it aims to stop outbreaks happening at all.

How often do I take suppressive treatment? You take one aciclovir 400mg tablet twice a day.

Thetreatment is continued for six to 12 months. Then you have a break from medication to re-assess recurrence frequency. Suppressive treatment may be restarted if you have further severe outbreaks. Suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner but it cannot prevent it altogether and so you should always wear a female or male condom during any sexual activity. If you are experiencing recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes you should also consider being tested for HIV as it may be a sign of a weakened immune system due to HIV.Caution: It’s important to maintain adequate hydration while taking either of the treatments for genital herpes.

If you are experiencing severe symptoms you should stop taking aciclovir and seek medical advice. Aciclovir 400mg tablets can be taken if you can not keep still. You can take this medication with or without food. Do not eat grapefruit or drink alcohol while taking aciclovir. Aciclovir is not known to affect the ability to drive a normal driven vehicles or operate machinery. It’s best to avoid engaging in sexual activity when passing genital herpes. aciclovir 400mg tablets can be taken during sexual intercourse and should only be taken on an empty stomach for privacy.aciclovir 400mg tablets are not approved for use in the treatment of genital herpes. You should consult a doctor before taking aciclovir if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have any allergies to these medicines. This medicine cannot be administered to, or converted into, alcohol by, a person who is experiencing nausea, vomiting, a skin rash or a fever.

References

Medical expert panel comments:“Treating genital herpes outbreaks with aciclovir helps reduce the severity of symptoms. But it’s important to note that these tablets can still contain alcohol. So you should avoid consuming alcohol whilst taking any medication for herpes.”

“Although suppressive treatment does reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner, it still requires careful consideration. Suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner by causing an increase in the virus which could be passed on to them.”

Medline

“If you’re experiencing severe or persistent genital herpes outbreaks, you should discuss your treatment options with your healthcare provider.”

Medline has now recommended seven suppressive treatment options for genital herpes:

1. Regular aciclovir tablets

2. Immediate release tablets

3. Immediate release aciclovir

4. Immediate release aciclovir tablets

Medical expert panel comments: “Treating genital herpes outbreaks with aciclovir helps reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner, but it still requires careful consideration. But suppressive treatment does still require careful consideration.

Suppressive treatment can reduce the risk of passing HSV on to your partner by causing an increase in the virus which could be passed on to them.

Zovirax (Acyclovir) Medication Information:

What is Zovirax?

Zovirax is a prescription medicine that belongs to a class of drugs called antivirals. Zovirax contains aciclovir as its active ingredient and has potent antiviral activity. This medication is mainly used for the treatment of viral infections like genital herpes, cold sores, and chickenpox.

Benefits and uses of Zovirax:

• Doctors generally prescribe Zovirax to treat initial episodes of genital herpes and to suppress the frequent recurrence of genital herpes. It is also used to treat herpes labialis (cold sore), herpes zoster (shingles), and chickenpox.
• Zovirax does not cure the viral disease but it reduces your symptoms and the severity of the infection. It helps to decrease pain and itching, speed up sore healing, and prevent new sore formation.
• In people with genital herpes, Zovirax does not protect against the spread of the virus to others. You can spread the virus even if you do not have symptoms. Therefore always use an effective barrier method such as condoms or dental dams during all sexual activity.

How to use Zovirax?

If you are diagnosed with the herpes virus, start the therapy as soon as possible or at the first sign of an outbreak. Your doctor may prescribe you Zovirax tablets depending on your age and medical condition. The tablets are taken orally with or without food.

Recommended dosage:

• For genital herpes:The initial recommended dosage is one 200mg tablet every 4 hours 5 times daily. Use it for no more than 4 days. Consult with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4 days.
• For suppression of recurrent genital herpes:The initial recommended dosage is 200mg three times daily. If conditions do not improve, the dosage can be increased to five times daily.
• For chickenpox:Not more than 800mg 4 times daily for five days. Start the therapy within 24 hours once the rash appears.
• For herpes zoster:800mg of Zovirax every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days. Start the therapy within 72 hours of the onset of lesions.

Take the medication at the same times every day for maximum benefit. Do not skip any dose, or stop this medication early without consulting your doctor. Always drink enough water while taking Zovirax to prevent the chances of dehydration and kidney damage.

Side effects of Zovirax:

Patients may experience some common side effects after taking Zovirax, including:

• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea
• Nausea and Vomiting.
• Stomach pain.
• Headache
• Fatigue
• Fever

Contact your doctor immediately if you notice any serious side effects, including:

• Kidney problems.
• Bloody or dark urine.
• Unusual back pain.
• Agitation, confusion, hallucinations.
• Trouble speaking.
• Sudden vision changes.
• Drug Interactions.

Safety Information:

• Do not take Zovirax if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.
• Before starting the treatment, tell your doctor about your medical history, especially of kidney problems, liver diseases, HIV, and organ transplants.
• Do not use alcoholic beverages or marijuana along with the treatment.
• You should not get certain vaccines including the chickenpox vaccine while using the medication.
• If you are pregnant or a breastfeeding mother, consult with your doctor about the safety of Zovirax.

References:

efined chemotherapy treatment for herpes simplex virus.

author

United States government

ornia mccormddingley, W. (2022) “Acyclovir for herpes”Medically reviewed by 8.’(.

About Aciclovir 400mg & Other Medicines

Aciclovir 400mg and other medicines is an antiviral medicine and a prophylactic drug, and is used for the treatment of and recurrent genital herpes. It is used in the treatment of herpes simplex virus disease, herpes zoster infection, and shingles (herpes zoster infection of the nose).

Aciclovir 400mg also used for treatment of chickenpox in children and adults. It is also used to treat shingles in adults. Aciclovir 400mg is an antiviral medicine used to treat shingles (herpes zoster infection of the nose) in patients with chickenpox (herpes simplex). It prevents the multiplication of viruses in the human body.

Aciclovir 400mg is also used in adults to treat genital herpes (herpes simplex virus), herpes zoster (shingles) and herpes zoster infection (herpes simplex virus infection of the vagina and skin).

Aciclovir 400mg can also be used in the treatment of genital herpes (herpes labialis) in patients with a weakened immune system (immunocompromised patients).

How Aciclovir 400mg & Other Medicines Work

Aciclovir is an antiviral medication. This medication prevents the multiplication of viruses in the human body, and is used to treat viral infections like herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), and genital herpes.

Aciclovir 400mg

Aciclovir is an in the form of suspension. It is prepared by combining aciclovir 400mg tablets with ertapenia (an herbal remedy). The medicine is then put into a glass of water to make sure that the treatment is complete.

The suspension is then put into a glass of ice. The medicine then is then suddenly removed from the glass, and the glassful is then put into the refrigerator, where it is stored for later use.

Aciclovir

A typhoid fever medicine, Aciclovir is a triazol-type medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It prevents the synthesis of proteins required for their replication. This is done by decreasing the amount of viral proteins that are made. Aciclovir 400mg helps to decrease the production of viral proteins, helping the body fight infections more effectively.

Aciclovir is a prophylactic medicine. It is used for the treatment of herpes simplex virus disease, herpes zoster (shingles), and shingles. It is also used in the treatment of chickenpox in children and adults.

Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine. This medication prevents the multiplication of viruses in the human body, and is used to treat viral infections like herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), and shingles (herpes labialis).

ShareRecent Pages:Pageynorms. Last Update: 1/10/20/2027

This is a summary and does not substitute medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized medical advice.

Please Note:

The information provided here is for general purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Drug Information

Aciclovir 400mg and other medicines

This page provides all the drugs, herbs, and other products for the treatment and prevention of herpes virus infection.

All medicines have risks and benefits.

Why is this medicine prescribed?

Aciclovir 400mg and other medicines are used to treat and prevent infections caused by the herpes virus (herpes simplex and herpes zoster).