Effectiveness Of Aciclovir In Herpes And Skin Problems | HealthInfi

Aciclovir is a medicine used to treat viral infections. It’s available in cream and ointment form and also in tablet form. The severity of the infection decides that whether you use a cream or ointment or ingest a tablet. It is used to treat mainly two forms of viral infections, caused by the two viruses, varicella zoster and herpes simplex. The first one causes chicken pox and shingles, while the next one causes forms of herpes and related symptoms like cold sores.

Most herpes infections are treatable with the acyclovir ointment while some may need ingestion of aciclovir tablets.
Conditions to take care of
You may be sensitive to acyclovir cream when you are into some kind of condition which is as follows:

• If you are trying to conceive, or are already pregnant or breastfeeding
• If you have any kidney related problems
• You must tell your doctor about all other medicines whether they are chemical or herbal
• Any allergies in past

Before taking aciclovir

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking aciclovir it is important that the person prescribing it for you knows:

• If you are pregnant or breast-feeding (although aciclovir is not known to be harmful to a baby).
• If you have any problems with the way your kidneys work.
• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.
• If you have ever had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

How to take aciclovir

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer’s printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about aciclovir, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience from taking it.
• Your dose will depend upon the type of infection you have, so take aciclovir exactly as your doctor tells you to. Typically, doses range from 200 mg to 800 mg, and these doses are taken either three, four or five times daily. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what dose is right for you, and this information will also be printed on the label of the pack to remind you about what was said to you.
• Space out your doses evenly during the day. You can take aciclovir either with or without food.
• Even if you feel your infection has cleared up, keep taking aciclovir until the course is finished (unless your doctor tells you to stop sooner). This is to prevent the infection from coming back. The course of treatment prescribed could last between 2-10 days. If you still feel unwell after finishing the course, go back to see your doctor.
• If you have been prescribed a dispersible tablet – these can be stirred into a small glassful (50 ml) of water to make them easier to swallow. You can, however, swallow them as normal if you prefer.
• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and then continue as before. Try to take the correct number of doses each day, but do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

Getting the most from your treatment

• You should drink plenty while you are on aciclovir to keep your kidneys working well. Drinking water is best, but hot drinks and non-alcoholic cold drinks are also suitable.
• Aciclovir could cause your skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it is usually. Avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor until you know how your skin reacts.
• If you have been prescribed aciclovir for genital herpes, do not have sex while you have sores or blisters. Even after these have healed, there is still a small chance that you may pass on the virus when you have sex – using a condom reduces this risk.Read More