What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: antiviral
Generic and brand names: acyclovir, injection; Zovirax
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is used to treat viral infections of the skin and
mucous membranes, shingles, chickenpox, herpes simplex
encephalitis, and herpes infections of the genitals (sex organs).
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined
by your healthcare provider.
What should my healthcare provider know before I take this
medicine?
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you
have ever had:
- an allergy to any medicines
- a weakened immune system from diseases such as HIV/AIDS or from
cancer chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or steroid medicine.
- kidney or liver problems
- seizures
Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you
are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while
taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
How do I use it?
This medicine is given by IV infusion (slow drip into a vein) by
your healthcare provider. Each infusion will last at least 1 hour.
The number of infusions each day and the length of your treatment
depend on your condition and age (in children). If you are not
staying in the hospital, keep all your appointments for these
treatments.
What should I watch out for?
While you are receiving this medicine, you will have blood and
urine tests that will detect serious side effects. Keep all
appointments for these tests.
Your skin may be irritated at the spot where infusions are given.
If the irritation becomes severe, contact your healthcare provider.
If you are receiving this medicine for genital herpes, do not have
sexual intercourse when the sores are present. This is when the
disease is contagious.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some
unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some
side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell
your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue
or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right
away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get
emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction
(hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest;
swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Skin
sores, hallucinations, seizures confusion, decreased or no
urination, unexplained swelling.
Other: Nausea, vomiting, lightheadedness, tiredness, headache,
tremors, agitation, redness or pain at injection site.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the
way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription
medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also
interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side
effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
- probenecid
- zidovudine (Retrovir, Retrovir Injection, AZT, ZDV)
Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the
prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements,
natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell
all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you
are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not
include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with
other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for
more information or if you have any questions.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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