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: Do not take Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's if you are allergic to Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's or any of its ingredients. Inform your doctor about all other OTC medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. If you are 65 years of age or have kidney disease or kidney transplant, heart problem or history of heart problem, have HIV/AIDS, are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant, Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's should be taken with caution and only if a doctor prescribes you. Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position, especially when you start taking Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's so please get up gradually. Also, do not drive a car or operate any machinery which requires concentration as Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's may cause dizziness. Please do not take Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's if you have ever developed a rash due to fever. Use protection while having sexual intercourse to avoid the transfer of genital herpes (a sexually transmitted disease) to your partner. If you have a weak immune system, please inform your doctor before taking Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's as a dose adjustment may be required. Drink plenty of fluid as Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's can cause dehydration and kidney damage.
Medicine Interaction: Acivir-800 DT Tablet 5's may have an interaction with medication used to treat gout (probenecid), treat stomach ulcers (cimetidine), stop your body from rejecting transplanted organs (mycophenolate mofetil), treat asthma (aminophylline, theophylline).
Drug Schedule: Schedule H Prescription
Side Effects: 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 800 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.
