Drug name: Acyclovir

Other names used:

• Zovirax®

Active Ingredients:

• Acyclovir

Therapeutic effect of Acyclovir: This is a synthetically made anti-viral drug that inhibits rapid reproduction of viruses. This drug is very effective against the herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2, Epstein Barr virus, and varicella-zoster. When Acyclovir is administered to a patient with any viral disease the affected cells absorb more acyclovir than what the normal cells do. When the virus tries to use acyclovir instead of nucleoside to produce DNA, which is essential for their replication, the acyclovir drug present in the cell inhibits the production of DNA thereby stalling the rapid growth of virus.

Indications: Acyclovir is used to cure the following disorders:

• Painful, blistering contagious skin rashes like Shingles
• Sexually transmitted genital infection caused by herpes simplex virus
• Extremely itching viral infections like Chickenpox
• This drug is also used to treat complex immune system disorders like Bone marrow transplantation, HIV, etc.

Precautions and Restrictions: Avoid using Acyclovir if you have the following symptoms or conditions:

• Any renal disorder
• Disorder of the brain, spine, and nerves
• If you are pregnant
• If you are a breast feeding mother
• If you are intolerant to this drug or any active component of this drug

Side effects of Acyclovir: People may or may not experience any unintended reactions after taking Acyclovir. But nonetheless users of Acyclovir should be watchful for symptoms like:

• Cephalalgia
• Vertigo
• Depression
• Encephalopathic changes
• Swelling
• Rashes
• Loss of hair
• Diarrhea
• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Blood in Urine
• Sediments in urine

These symptoms and reactions are not a comprehensive list of side effects caused due to Acyclovir. For the complete list of side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a medical expert.

Interactions: Certain medicinal substances when taken along with Acyclovir can react with them and increase or decrease or cause a totally unintended effect. This can be best avoided by consulting a doctor before taking Acyclovir. It is also a good idea to mention the medicines or treatment you are currently under.

Here is a list of drugs that can react with Acyclovir:

• Drugs that contain Phenytoin
• Phenytek
• Dilantin
• Drugs that contain Probenecid
• ColBenemid
• Benemid
• Benuryl
• Rugs that contain Tenofovir
• Viread

Additional Information: These drugs should not be used without prior approval of a doctor and do not share these drugs with anybody else. Acyclovir is made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use it for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs, needles, syringes and other such medical substances out of the reach of children.