Herpes - Acyclovir
Before Using This medicine: In
deciding to use a medicine, the
risks of taking the medicine must be
weighed against the good it will do.
This is a decision you and your
doctor will make. For Acyclovir, the
following should be considered:
Allergies - Tell your doctor if you
have ever had any unusual or
allergic reaction to Acyclovir,
ganciclovir, or valAcyclovir. Also
tell your health care professional
if you are allergic to any other
substances, such as foods, sulfites
or other preservatives, or dyes.
Pregnancy - Acyclovir has been used
in pregnant women and has not been
reported to cause birth defects or
other problems. However, studies
have not been done in humans.
Studies in rabbits have shown that
Acyclovir given by injection may
keep the fetus from becoming
attached to the lining of the uterus
(womb). However, Acyclovir has not
been shown to cause birth defects or
other problems in mice given many
times the usual human dose, or in
rats or rabbits given several times
the usual human dose. Breast-feeding
- Acyclovir passes into breast milk.
However, it has not been reported to
cause problems in nursing babies.
Children - A limited number of
studies have been done using oral
Acyclovir in children, and it has
not caused different effects or
problems in children than it does in
adults. Older adults - Acyclovir has
been used in the elderly and has not
been shown to cause different side
effects or problems in older people
than it does in younger adults.
However, some of the side effects
involving the central nervous
system, for example, agitation,
confusion, dizziness, and
drowsiness, may be more severe in
older adults.
Proper Use of This Medicine: Take one tablet every 12 hours as
needed.
Precautions While Using This
Medicine:
Side Effects of This Medicine:
Other medicines-Although certain
medicines should not be used
together at all, in many cases two
different medicines may be used
together even if an interaction
might occur. In these cases, changes
in dose or other precautions may be
necessary. If you are taking
Acyclovir it is especially important
that your health care professional
know if you are taking any of the
following: Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU)
or Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
Combination pain medicine containing
acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g.,
Excedrin) or other salicylates or
Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with
long-term use) or Gold salts
(medicine for arthritis) or
Inflammation or pain medicine,
except narcotics, or Lithium (e.g.,
Lithane) or Methotrexate (Mexate) or
Other medicine for infection or
Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine) or
Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
Streptozocin (e.g., Zanosar) or
Tiopronin (Thiola)-Concurrent use of
these medicines with Acyclovir may
increase the chance for side
effects, especially when kidney
disease is present. Other medical
problems-The presence of other
medical problems may affect the use
of Acyclovir. Make sure you tell
your doctor if you have any other
medical problems, especially:
Dehydration or Kidney
disease-Dehydration or kidney
disease may increase blood levels of
Acyclovir, increasing the chance of
side effects. Other side effects
have been blistering, peeling, or
loosening of skin; changes in facial
skin color; changes in vision;
confusion; convulsions (seizures);
coughing; difficulty in breathing or
swallowing; dizziness or feeling
faint, severe; fast heartbeat;
muscle cramps, pain, or weakness;
nausea or vomiting; red or irritated
eyes; seeing, hearing, or feeling
things that are not there; sense of
agitation or uneasiness; skin rash,
itching, or hives; sore throat,
fever, or chills; sores, ulcers, or
white spots in mouth or on lips;
swelling of eyelids, face, feet,
hands, lower legs or lips; swollen,
painful, or tender lymph nodes
(glands) in neck, armpit, or groin. |
