Acivir belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Usually these medicines work for only one kind or group of virus infections.
Acivir is used to treat the symptoms of chickenpox, shingles, herpes virus infections of the genitals (sex organs), the skin, the brain, and mucous membranes (lips and mouth), and widespread herpes virus infections in newborns. Acivir is also used to prevent recurrent genital herpes infections. Although Acivir will not cure herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores (if any) heal faster.
Acivir may also be used for other virus infections as determined by your doctor. However, it does not work in treating certain virus infections, such as the common cold.
Acivir is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although not specifically included in product labeling, Acivir by Injection is used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Herpes simplex (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system,
Herpes zoster infections of the eye,
Shingles (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak immune system.
Prescription: Yes
Warnings: Acivir 400 DT Tablet is unlikely to produce an adverse event. However, please discuss with your primary health provider or pharmacist for proper advice or if you feel unwell or sick
Medicine Interaction: If you use other drugs or over the counter products at the same time, the effects of Acivir 400 DT Tablet may change. This may increase your risk for side-effects or cause your drug not to work properly. Tell your doctor about all the drugs, vitamins, and herbal supplements you are using, so that you doctor can help you prevent or manage drug interactions. Acivir 400 DT Tablet may interact with the following drugs and products:
Interferon, Ketoconazole, Probenecid, Zidovudine.
Drug Schedule: Schedule H Prescription
Side Effects: Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Acivir: hives, difficult breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
easy bruising or bleeding, purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin or
signs of a kidney problem--little or no urinating, painful or difficult urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.
Common Acivir side effects may include:
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, general ill feeling, headache or mouth pain while using an Acivir buccal tablet.
How to Store it: Store in a cool dry place.
Precautions: Before using Acivir 400 DT Tablet, inform your doctor about your current list of medications, over the counter products (e.g. vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.), allergies, pre-existing diseases, and current health conditions (e.g. pregnancy, upcoming surgery, etc.). Some health conditions may make you more susceptible to the side-effects of the drug. Take as directed by your doctor or follow the direction printed on the product insert. Dosage is based on your condition. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. Important counseling points are listed below.
Abnormal renal function, Adequate hydration is necessary, Concomitant use of other nephrotoxic drugs, Pre-existing renal disease.
Missed Dose: In case you miss a dose, use it as soon as you notice. If it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your dosing schedule. Do not use extra dose to make up for a missed dose. If you are regularly missing doses, consider setting an alarm or asking a family member to remind you. Please consult your doctor to discuss changes in your dosing schedule or a new schedule to make up for missed doses, if you have missed too many doses recently.
