About Aciclovir 400 mg Tablet
Aciclovir 400 mg Tablet contains Aciclovir 400 mg. Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, such as cold sores, genital herpes, shingles and chickenpox. It works best when started as early as possible after symptoms appear. Dispersible tablets can be swallowed whole or stirred into water.
Uses of Aciclovir 400 mg Tablet
- Shingles (herpes zoster)
- Chickenpox
- Genital herpes and cold sores (herpes simplex infections)
- Prevention of repeated herpes outbreaks in some people, as advised by your doctor
Benefits
In herpes and shingles
It slows the virus from multiplying, which helps sores heal faster and can reduce pain and the length of the outbreak. It does not remove the virus from the body, so outbreaks can come back.
Side effects
Drinking plenty of water helps protect the kidneys. Talk to your doctor if any side effect bothers you.
Common
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Headache
- Stomach pain
- Itching or rash
- Skin sensitivity to sunlight
Get medical help if you notice
- Confusion, hallucinations, shaking, unsteadiness or fits (more likely in older people or with kidney disease) — seek medical help
- Passing much less urine or pain in the lower back (possible kidney problems) — contact your doctor
- Yellow eyes or skin — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, swelling of the face or lips, difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, spacing doses evenly through the day. Dispersible tablets can be swallowed whole with water or stirred into a little water until dispersed and drunk straight away. It can be taken with or without food. Drink plenty of fluids and complete the full course.
How it works
Inside cells infected by the virus, it is changed into an active form that blocks the enzyme the virus needs to copy its DNA, so the virus cannot multiply.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
No direct interaction is known, but alcohol can add to dizziness and is best avoided while you are unwell.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It passes into breast milk. Ask your doctor before using it while breastfeeding.
Driving Caution
It can occasionally cause dizziness or confusion. Do not drive if you feel affected.
Kidney Caution
The dose usually needs to be lowered in kidney disease. Drink plenty of fluids.
Liver Consult your doctor
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Start it as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
- Drink plenty of water while taking it.
- Complete the full course, even if the sores look better.
- Sores are contagious — avoid touching them and avoid close contact until they heal.
- Older people and those with kidney disease may need a lower dose.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Synthetic purine nucleoside analogue (guanosine)
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-infective / antiviral
- Action class
- Viral DNA polymerase inhibitor
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Probenecid and cimetidine | Can raise aciclovir levels |
| Mycophenolate | Levels of both medicines may rise |
| Ciclosporin, tacrolimus and other medicines that affect the kidneys | Higher risk of kidney problems |
| Theophylline | Theophylline levels may rise |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Aciclovir prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); EMC SmPC: aciclovir dispersible tablets; NICE BNF: aciclovir). Pharmacist review pending.