INTRODUCTION

ACIV 800MG TABLET contains Acyclovir, which belongs to the group of medicines called Antivirals. It is used to treat chickenpox, shingles, cold sores, genital herpes and other herpes simplex infections to prevent infections in people with a weakened immune system.

Cold sores, (a virus causing contagious sores, most often around the mouth or on the genitals), genital herpes (a common sexually transmitted infection caused by the herpes simplex virus and symptoms include genital pain and sores, pain, itching and small sores).

Before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET inform your doctor if you have kidney problems. ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution among pregnant or breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

The most common side effects of taking ACIV 800MG TABLET are headache, dizziness, feeling or being sick, diarrhea, stomach pain and rashes. Contact your doctor if the symptom persists.

USES OF ACIV 800MG TABLET

ACIV 800MG TABLET is used in the following conditions:

• Treats chickenpox and Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Treats cold sores, genital herpes
• Treats herpes simplex infections
• Prevents problems in those people infected with a virus
• Prevents infections in low immunity patients

HOW ACIV 800MG TABLET WORKS

ACIV 800MG TABLET works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses (herpes virus). It has a higher affinity for viral DNA cells than human DNA cells and incorporates into the viral DNA and causes DNA chain termination and inactivation, leading to the death of cells.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take ACIV 800MG TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF ACIV 800MG TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Diarrhea

Drink lots of fluids, such as water or fruit juice to keep you hydrated. Do not consume any medicine on your own without consulting your doctor.

Dizziness Or Drowsiness

If ACIV 800MG TABLET makes you feel dizzy, take rest until you feel better. Do not drive or operate machines.

Headache

Take rest and drink plenty of fluids. If not subsided. Consult your doctor if your symptom gets worse or persist.

Nausea And Vomiting

Take simple meals and do not eat rich or spicy food.

Skin Rash Or Itching

Try to use an unscented moisturiser. If the symptom does not improve, contact your doctor.

Stomach Pain

Try to rest and relax. Eat smaller meals but take them frequently. Keep a heating pad on your stomach. If the symptom does not improve, contact your doctor.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Use with Caution

ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women. Consult your doctor before taking it.

BREASTFEEDING

Use with Caution

ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women. Consult your doctor before taking it.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Use with Caution

Do not drive or operate any machines if you feel dizzy, drowsiness or asleep after taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

KIDNEY

Use with Caution

ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution in patients with kidney problems. Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Do not take ACIV 800MG TABLET if you are allergic to Acyclovir, valacyclovir, or any of the other ingredients of this medicine.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Use with Caution

ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients (aged above 75 years). Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• probenecid (used to treat gout)
• cimetidine (used to treat stomach ulcers)
• drugs acting on the immune system (Ex. mycophenolate mofetil)
• amikacin, amphotericin B, atovaquone, lumefantrine, mefloquine, azithromycin, capreomycin, caspofungin, clarithromycin, clindamycin, doxycycline, erythromycin (used to treat infections)
• antivirals Ex. valacyclovir, valganciclovir, ganciclovir, tenofovir, cidofovir (used to treat viral infections)
• albendazole (used to treat parasitic infections)
• dapsone, isoniazid (used to treat mycobacterial infections)
• antifungals Ex. fluconazole, itraconazole

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of ACIV 800MG TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose are agitation, coma, seizures, lethargy etc.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep ACIV 800MG TABLET out of the sight and reach from children
• Store ACIV 800MG TABLET below 25°C

FAQs ABOUT ACIV 800MG TABLET

Q: Can ACIV 800MG TABLET be used to treat Urinary Tract Infections?

A: Yes. ACIV 800MG TABLET may be used to treat cystitis caused by the herpes simplex virus. Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

Q: What precautions do I need to follow while taking ACIV 800MG TABLET?

A: Patients taking ACIV 800MG TABLET must inform their doctor about their pre-existing disease conditions like kidney, heart, or liver problems and if they are elderly above 65 years.

Q: Can ACIV 800MG TABLET be used on pregnancy?

A: Yes. ACIV 800MG TABLET should be used with caution in pregnant women. Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

Q: Who should avoid taking ACIV 800MG TABLET?

A: ACIV 800MG TABLET is not recommended for patients having kidney diseases or elderly above 65 years and patients with allergic history to acyclovir. Consult your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

Q: How long does it take for ACIV 800MG TABLET to show its effects?

A: ACIV 800MG TABLET works within 24-48 hours of administration.

Q: Can ACIV 800MG TABLET treat a bacterial infection?

A: No. ACIV 800MG TABLET is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes simplex virus, chicken pox, and shingles. Talk to your doctor before taking ACIV 800MG TABLET.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi. Antiviral drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page - 799.

2. Laurence L. Brunton, Randa Hilal-Dandan, Bjorn C. Knollman, Antiviral agents (Non-retroviral), Goodman & Gillman’s: The pharmacological basics of therapeutics, 13th edition. 2018. Page – 1105.

3. Terapia S.A & Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2019] [Accessed on 18th April 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4336.pdf

4. Terapia S.A. & Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in October 2019] [Accessed on 18th April 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.4335.pdf

5. GlaxoSmithKline. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. [Revised in June 2005] [Accessed on 18th April 2022] https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2005/018828s030,020089s019,019909s020lbl.pdf

6. Acyclovir. CDSCO. [Revised in September 2010] [Accessed on 18th April 2022] https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs

7. Significant drug interactions for drugs used to treat or prevent opportunistic infections. https://clinicalinfo.hiv.gov/en/guidelines/pediatric-opportunistic-infection/table-5-significant-drug-interactions-drugs-used-treat

8. Drugbank. Mechanism of action of acyclovir. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00787

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA PCR
• Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 DNA PCR
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgG
• Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgM
• Varicella Zoster IgG
• Varicella Zoster IgM

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Dr. Dhivakaran R, BDS
Last updated on 21 Mar 2023 | 10:44 AM(IST)