Acyclovir Buccal Tablet

What is this medicine?

ACYCLOVIR (ay SYE kloe veer) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat infections caused by herpes virus, such as cold sores. This medicine will not cure herpes.

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Leave the tablet in the sealed blister pack until you are ready to take it. With dry hands, open the blister and gently remove the tablet. If the tablet breaks or crumbles, throw it away and take a new tablet out of the blister pack. Place the tablet to the upper gum of the mouth on the same side as cold sore symptoms and allow it to dissolve. Do not crush, chew, suck or swallow the tablet. You do not need water to take this medicine. If adhesion does not occur or tablet falls off within the first 6 hours, immediately reposition the same tablet. If the tablet cannot be repositioned, a new tablet should be applied. If tablet is swallowed, within the first 6 hours, drink a glass of water and apply a new tablet. If tablet falls or is swallowed after the first 6 hours, reapplication is not needed. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• erythema

• headache

• pain at application site

• weakness or tired

What may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cidofovir

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• adefovir

• amphotericin B

• certain antibiotics like amikacin, gentamicin, tobramycin, vancomycin

• cimetidine

• cisplatin

• colistin

• cyclosporine

• foscarnet

• lithium

• methotrexate

• probenecid

• tacrolimus

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply; this medicine is not for regular use.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Keep this medicine in the original container. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• immune system problems

• an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, milk, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Tell your doctor or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve. This medicine works best when started very early in the course of an infection. Begin treatment at the first signs of infection.

Avoid activities that may prevent medicine from sticking to your gum such as touching or pressing the medicine, wearing upper dentures, chewing gum, or brushing your teeth during the treatment day.

You can still pass herpes to another person even while you are taking this medicine. Avoid contact with others as directed. Talk to your doctor about how to stop the spread of infection.