Brand Names

How to Use

Patient information about the treat of herpes, chickenpox, or shingles is available with this drug. Read it carefully before using this drug.

Acyclovir is best using as soon as possible after the symptoms of herpes infection or shingles - for example, pain, burning, blisters begin to appear .

If you are taking acyclovir for the treat of chickenpox , it is best to start taking acyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash , usually within one day.

Acyclovir capsules, tablets and oral suspension may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach.

Acyclovir is best taken with a full glass - 8 ounces of water.

If you are using acyclovir oral suspension , use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.

To help clear up your herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles, keep taking acyclovir for the full time of treat , even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days Do not miss any doses . However, do not use this drug more often or for a longer time than your family doctor ordered .

Dosage

The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension that you take depends on the strength of the drug. Always the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses and the length of time you take the drug depend on the medical problem for which you are taking acyclovir .

• For oral dosage forms - capsules, oral suspension, or tablets:
  • For treat of genital herpes:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older 200 milligrams - mg five times a day for ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by the family doctor.
  • For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes infections:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older 200 to 400 mg two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months, depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
    • Children up to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by the family doctor.
  • For treat of chickenpox:
    • Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds - 40 kilograms 800 mg four times a day for five days.
    • Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 88 pounds - 40 kilograms or less Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the family doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg per kilogram - kg of body weight, up to 800 mg, four times a day for five days.
    • Children up to 2 years of age Use and dose must be determined by the family doctor.
  • For treat of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older 800 mg five times a day for seven to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age Use and dose must be determined by the family doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • For treat of herpes of the brain, genitals, or mucous membranes, or for the treat of shingles:
    • Adults and children 12 years of age and older Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the family doctor. The usual dose is 5 to 10 mg of acyclovir per kg - 2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for five to ten days.
    • Children up to 12 years of age Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the family doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg to 20 mg of acyclovir per kg - 4.5 mg to 9.1 mg per pound of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for seven to ten days.
  • For treat of widespread herpes virus infection in newborns:
    • Infants from birth to 3 months of age Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the family doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg of acyclovir per kg - 4.5 mg per pound of body weight, injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours for ten days.

Missed dose If you do miss a dose of this drug, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage To store this drug:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this drug in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the drug to break down.
• Do not keep outdated drug or drug no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded drug is out of the reach of children.