MedDataToolAcyclovir is a medication used to treat infections caused by certain viruses, including shingles, genital herpes, and chickenpox. It works by stopping the growth of the virus in the body, helping to reduce symptoms and speed up healing. You can take it in capsule form, with the starting dose for shingles being 800 mg taken five times a day for 7 to 10 days, while the initial treatment for genital herpes is 200 mg taken five times a day for 10 days. It's important to know that acyclovir can cause serious kidney problems, especially in patients with existing kidney issues. Additionally, if you are taking probenecid, it can affect how acyclovir is cleared from your body, so your doctor may need to adjust your dose.
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Uses
- Herpes zoster (shingles).
- Genital herpes.
- Chickenpox.
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Dosage
Herpes zoster: 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.
Genital herpes initial treatment: 200 mg every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days.
Genital herpes chronic therapy: 400 mg twice daily for up to 12 months.
Chickenpox (children over 2 years): 20 mg/kg 4 times daily for 5 days.
Adults and children over 40 kg: 800 mg 4 times daily for 5 days.
Always follow your doctor's specific instructions for your dose.
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Side effects
Common
nauseavomitingdiarrheamalaise
Serious
anaphylaxisrenal failureseizuresconfusion
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Warnings
⚠ Important warnings
- Renal failure can occur, sometimes resulting in death.
- Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome may occur in immunocompromised patients.
- Acyclovir is for oral use only.
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Drug interactions
- Probenecidincreases acyclovir levels in the body.Monitor
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Answers pulled from the FDA label only.
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Medical Disclaimer: This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before taking any medication.
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Data Source: Publicly available drug labeling information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).