Acyclovir oral suspension
Acyclovir oral suspension
What is this medicine?
ACYCLOVIR (ay SYE kloe veer) is an antiviral medicine. It is used to treat or prevent infections caused by certain kinds of viruses. Examples of these infections include herpes and shingles. This medicine will not cure herpes.
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake well before using. Use a specially marked spoon or cup to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. You can take this medicine with or without food. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Bottles of suspension may contain more liquid than you need to take. Follow your doctors instructions about how much to take and for how many days to take it. Do not take more medicine than directed. But, finish all the medicine that is prescribed even if you think you are better. Do not skip doses or stop your medicine early.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years old for selected conditions, precautions do apply.
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
chest pain
confusion, hallucinations, tremor
dark urine
increased sensitivity to the sun
redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
seizures
trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
unusual bleeding or bruising, or pinpoint red spots on the skin
unusually weak or tired
yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
diarrhea
fever
headache
nausea, vomiting
stomach upset
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?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Where should I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature between 15 and 25 degrees C (59 and 77 degrees F). 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:
kidney disease
an unusual or allergic reaction to acyclovir, ganciclovir, valacyclovir, 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.
Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fluids every day while you are taking this medicine. This will help prevent side effects.
You can still pass chickenpox, shingles, or herpes to another person even while you are taking this medicine. Avoid contact with others as durected. Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. Talk to your doctor about how to prevent giving your sexual partner the infection.
Updated:  
January 19, 2020