About Acyclovir

If you’ve used Acyclovir, please help others by adding your feedback. What would you tell your best friend about this product? Please remember that we do not give medical advice. That is for your local health care provider, who is familiar with your medical history.

Subj: Tremendous hair loss
Date: 5/27/2009
I’ve been taking Acyclovir for about 3 years an I’ve noticed my hair falling out tremendously. I have to get hair treatment almost every time I get my hair washed. I want to know should I get my prescription changed to valtrex and maybe my hair will stop falling out? Please tell me what I should do.

Rena

AskDocWeb: What kind of hair treatment do you get? Hopefully that is not the cause of your hair loss. You might talk this over with your doctor but hair loss is also a possible side effect of Valtrex (Less than 1%).

Subj: Something very bizarre and hideous
Date: 5/28/2009
I’ve been on acyclovir for about six years ( 1 po bid ) from a case of recuring shingles on my right hip/buttock with sub – Q lumps. Before I bother writing in any detail about an horrific skin situation I’ve had now for the past two and a half years ( and of note is that my skin has NEVER been a target organ – not acne as a teen – nothing like that – not ever) … well- over the past 3 years, something very bizarre and hideous has begun to happen with my skin, beginning sub – Q or maybe even internally, but having begun form an external source – environmental – ? Or the drug? Nobody seems to know and I was wondering if the use of acyclovir for such a long time, might kill off any natural flora and bacteria in the skin, or internally, which gives skin immunity? If the answer is YES, then I really need help from anyone who will read what I am going through -It’s gross and depressing; like a living nightmare I can’t bear it anymore and by the time I bring samples to the lab of these “things”, by then they seem only like so much detritus rather than what they really are, so nobody takes me seriously! The dermatologists have been of no help. Think Morgellon’s, or perhaps Bot fly larvae – its like that – even in the corners of my mouth and I’ve seen these under a mag. glass and a microscope – yet lab sends back only negative results re what I have seen and witnessed these living things as being – I’m at my wit’s end – I’m a former nurse – my home is clean and I am fastidious about my own personal hygeine – I eat healthy although I do eat a lot of fruit and veggies imported from Brazil and Mexico as we all do so I wash all very well. Please help me! The thoughts about acyclovir as maybe having lowered my immunity allowing this to have happened is a long shot – any thoughts about this? I’ll take any creative thinking at this point and am in search of a miracle – Please! Thanks so much.

Shari

AskDocWeb: You are right, it was a long shot and as often occurs, long shots miss the mark. Acyclovir is a medication that acts on virus but it has no affect on bacteria, so you can rule that out.

Subj: Rash feeling
Date: 5/29/2009
I have been using acyclovir on and off for about 3 years, I notice that every time I start to use it and the whole time I continue to stay on it I feel like I have a irritating rash on my rectum so then if I stop taking it then the rash goes away and then I use it again and the rash comes back, is this normal and if so when does it go away? I am trying to use it as suppressive therapy but this rash feeling has me confused.

Shawna

AskDocWeb: Skin rash is one of the possible side effects of Acyclovir that may or may not go away with continued use.

Subj: Outbreak therapy vs. suppressive therapy
Date: 5/30/2009
I was wondering what’s the difference of dosing for outbreak therapy vs. suppressive therapy… and I also wanted to know if symptoms of depression was related to this drug at all?

Courtney

AskDocWeb: Typically outbreak therapy uses a higher dosage than does suppressive therapy. The lower dosage of suppressive therapy is an attempt to prevent the build up of the virus in order to avoid outbreaks. Once an outbreak occurs, a higher dosage may be required for treatment. Depression is not listed as a side effect of Acyclovir.

Subj: Tiredness and depressive thoughts
Date: 6/1/2009
I have been taking acyclovir, 800 mg once a day, for three weeks now for genital herpes, and side effects I have experienced is tremendous tiredness and, yes, depressive thoughts. I have read many comments on this site from readers who also experience these side effects, so I am tempted to ask the makers of this drug to reevaluate the validity of these complaints! I have become lethargic and immobilized physically, my neck aches, and I have felt quite depressed. I am taking no other medications. I had originally been prescribed Valtrex the month before, and took it with no problems, but because of the cost of the drug, I could not afford it. My doctor has now given me acyclovir instead. Does this company make both drugs, and can you comment on why one would not have the same side effects, and the other one would? Thanks,

Sarah

AskDocWeb: Once taken internally, your body has to convert Valtrex (valacyclovir hydrochloride) into Acyclovir in order to make use of it. This extra digestive step is not needed or performed when you take Acyclovir. Why that makes such a difference in side effects is unknown but it may have something to do with this extra digestive step. GlaxoSmithKline makes both Acyclovir and Valtrex.

Subj: Started acyclovir
Date: 6/2/2009
I’m a 42yro male. Started acyclovir for primary herp2 ob. 3 x 400mg per day for 10 days. after 3rd dose felt fatigued, a little dizzy, stiff neck a bit, a little sensitive in lower back. After about 8th dose getting little blisters that pop up on my arm and leg and various places. Heat rash seems more likely as well.

Mike

Subj: Kidney pain
Date: 6/7/2009
I have been taken acyclovir 400mg everyday for a month and a half and I can literally feel my kidneys in pain while I work and workout I was wondering could the Acyclovir be the reason for that? The reason why I take it everyday is because I cannot afford Valtrex and I don’t want any outbreaks at all please help me and give an answer. I don’t want to die early.

Fred

AskDocWeb: Kidney damage, with decreased urine production, is a result of an overdose. If there is no overdose then that is not a concern.

Subj: Feels like a bruise
Date: 6/10/2009
Well I have been takin acyclovir 800mg a 50 dose, for 1 week for bell’s palsy, which I have finish already. Recently I been having aches, well I’m not in pain. Only when I carry something heavy or if I put pressure on any part of my body, which feels like a bruise. I would like to know if that is normal…or it is the methypred 4mg pak or the hydroco/apa 5- 500mg tab which is causing this?

Jesus

AskDocWeb: That kind of tenderness is not listed as a side effect of Acyclovir.

Subj: Mouth is sore and teeth ache
Date: 6/12/2009
I have had oral herpese since I was a kid. Acyclovir throws back an outbreak when I have one, always worked. Now a few months ago for the first time I got an outbreak of ‘something’ on the roof of my mouth. Whenever this starts then I get a flair up on my lips and under/inside my nose. The roof of my mouth is sore and this ‘thing’ makes even my front teeth ache a bit because the nerve endings are all connected. The Acyclovir has prevented big huge lip sores from forming but I have some in my nose and my lip is constantly puffy as the sores are thrying to break through. The Acyclovir does not seem to be working clearing this up. Is it possible the thing in my mouth is not herpes, but if not why would it immediatley after forming sart a herspe outbreak on my lips/nose? It must be connected. It’s painful and its not going away!

Carole

AskDocWeb: Yes, it is possible that you have something in addition to herpes so check with your doctor.

Subj: Acivir
Date: 6/14/2009
I have take tab acivir 4001bd for my eye irites for almost 4.6 years at present my age is 27 what is there any sideeffect which is causin me after my marraige please let me know is there any sideeffects of acivir taken by me so long time.

Vivekpujari

AskDocWeb: Acivir appears to be a drug manufactured by Cipla in India. It is not marketing in the USA. Acyclovir is reported as an ingredient of Acivir but we have no data on the other ingredients, which may have additional side effects.

Subj: Very bad yeast infections
Date: 6/17/2009
Hello, I am desperate for help!!! I have genital Herpes, and I cannot afford to buy Valtrex, which I experience no negative side effects from taking. My outbreaks and symptoms have been almost chonic. The doctors have recommended suppression therapy with Acyclovir being the more affordable option, BUT I have since tried to take Acyclovir regularly and developed very very bad yeast infections whenever I take it. It has taken a week to get rid of the yeast infection since I stopped taking the drug. Now I am experiencing burning, itching, and dryness with no apparant sores and I am sure it will be sooner than later before they appear. Please help. This is a nightmare. I am a full-time working single mother and this is really making things difficult. What can I do? Please help. I can be contacted at (email address deleted) and thank you for any help you can give me!

Carrie

AskDocWeb: We have put together a page about yeast infections, the causes, prevention, and tips for dealing with this unpleasant infection.

Subj: L-lysine with Acyclovir?
Date: 6/17/2009
Hi, I’ve been using acyclovir for almost 2 years now. It works really well. I do get a mild outbreak now and then if I’m stressed. I was wondering if it is safe to take acyclovir and l-lysine at the same time while having a mild outbreak? Had anyone does this before? Will the two substances interact in the wrong way? Please help. Thanks.

Monique

AskDocWeb: There are no reports of any problems with taking l-lysine with Acyclovir.

Subj: These tablets are excellent
Date: 6/20/2009
I have taken aciclovir 400mg tablets on and off for genital herpes. These tablets are excellent and clear any outbreaks in a couple of days and hold it at bay, and I would luv to take them permanently but my doctor insists that I have a break after a years course why is that?

Sheila

AskDocWeb: There is a chance that your condition could improve to the point where your treatment could change from daily suppressive therapy to using them only as needed. Taking a break will allow you to find out how long you can go without an outbreak.

Subj: White patch
Date: 6/22/2009
I am suffering from herpes since last 10 years and after herpes getting white patch on the effected area. What would you like to suggest (to) me?

SU

AskDocWeb: If you want medical advice then consult with your local health care provider. The purpose here is to share information about side effects. Take a moment to consider what side effects you would like others to know about and whatever else you think would be helpful.

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