Acyclovir (Systemic)

Brand Names : Zovirax, Alti-Acyclovir, Avirax, Zovirax Wellstat Pac, Zovirax Zostab Pac, aciclovir

Proper Use of This Medicine

Patient information about the treatment of herpes, chickenpox, or shingles is available with this medicine. Read it carefully before using this medicine.

Acyclovir is best used as soon as possible after the symptoms of herpes infection or shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters) begin to appear .

If you are taking acyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox , it is best to start taking acyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash , usually within one day.

Acyclovir capsules, tablets, and oral suspension may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.

Acyclovir is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

If you are using acyclovir oral suspension , use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To help clear up your herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles, keep taking acyclovir for the full time of treatment , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses . However, do not use this medicine more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered .

Dosing - The dose of acyclovir will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of acyclovir. Your dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension 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 taking acyclovir .

• For oral dosage forms (capsules, oral suspension, or tablets):
  • For treatment of genital herpes:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 milligrams (mg) five times a day for ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes infections:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 200 to 400 mg two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months, depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For treatment of chickenpox:
    • Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds (40 kilograms) - 800 mg four times a day for five days.
    • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms) or less - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per kilogram (kg) of body weight, up to 800 mg, four times a day for five days.
    • Children up to 2 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
  • For treatment of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older - 800 mg five times a day for seven to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by the doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For treatment of herpes of the brain, genitals, or mucous membranes, or for the treatment of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 5 to 10 mg of acyclovir per kg (2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period, and repeated every eight hours for five to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg to 20 mg of acyclovir per kg (4.5 mg to 9.1 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for seven to ten days.
  • For treatment of widespread herpes virus infection in newborns:
    • Infants from birth to 3 months of age - Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg of acyclovir per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for ten days.

Missed dose - If you do miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.