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: First outbreak of herpes
Date: 11/1/2009
I was prescribed acyclovir for herpes. This is the first ourbreak & it is so horrible & painful. I was so happy for a pill that might help but 7 hours after taking it I was at the ER w/ hives all over my body & my lips eyes had swelled up. They gave me benadryl & steroids & it went away, but now I am afraid of this medication. What do I do now? How can I treat this awful outbreak? Do I just have to suffer now?

Mel

AskDocWeb: Since this is your first outbreak you may have a lot to learn about herpes. Your doctor can tell you about other medications but the more you learn about this disease the better you will be able to cope with it. Here are a few things to get you started.

Your diet, that is the foods you eat on a daily basis have an influence on both the severity and number of outbreaks that you have. Some problem foods are gelatin, chocolate, carob, coconut, oats, whole-wheat flour, white flour, peanuts, soybeans, and wheat germ. Foods that seem to reduce both the severity and number of outbreaks are cheese, fish, chicken, beef, lamb, milk, beans, brewer’s yeast, mung bean sprouts and most fruits and vegetables with the exception of peas.

Several studies have shown that L-Lysine appears to be an effective agent for reducing the number of occurrences, severity and healing time for recurrent HSV infection. The amount of lysine required to control herpes varied from case to case but a typical dose to maintain remission was 500 mg daily and for active herpes, 1 to 6 g between meals to induce healing. L-Lysine is available at most places that sell vitamins. However, there are a few health concerns with using lysine.

Subj: Jaw pain from Acyclovir?
Date: 11/3/2009
I have been on acyclovir now for about 4 months. I have also been having increasing jaw pain for about that amount of time. I thought at first it was a toothache, but the dentist confirmed my teeth are fine. Then I started going to the chiropractor and he said it could be upper back/neck issues, but even with regular adjustments for the past couple months, my jaw pain is not lessening. It just occurred to me that perhaps it is linked to my medicine? I know it’s a shot in the dark, but I was wondering if you’ve heard of anyone else having jaw pain as a side effect of Acyclovir??? I’m willing to check it out as an option because I’ve had enough pain. I appreciate your response. Thanks,

Jeannette

AskDocWeb: It is possible, about 6% of those using Acyclovir have joint pain as a side effect. Joint pain is an all-inclusive term for any joint in the body; jaw, neck, knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, fingers, and so on.

Subj: Works for me
Date: 11/5/2009
Acyclovir 800mg 1x in AM…with 8oz. of water…taking for the last year…I have no outbreaks, or very little…If I have an outbreak, I take 2 800mg in AM and 2 800mg in PM for 3 days, this seems to work for me. Also I went to a nature doctor and am taking a vitamin cocktail, plus immune system booster to prevent future outbreaks and build immune system. The reason you are tired is because your body is fighting the virus…so build up your immune system with lots of vitamins!!! Go to Nature Doctor as well.

Daisy

Subj: Hair falling out
Date: 11/9/2009
I was diagnosed with genital herpes almost two years ago. I was put on 800 mg of acyclovir a day. Almost a year afterwards, I noticed the hair on my head and body was becoming increasingly fine…soon after, the hair on my head started to break badly. Now it’s falling out all together! The hair on my body is still extremely fine. Is this a side effect of acyclovir??? Is there any way to stop this??? It’s very distressing considering the fact that I am a 20 yr old female. Please help,

Shanell

AskDocWeb: You might ask your doctor about using Famvir (famciclovir). Hair loss is not listed as a side effect of Famvir.

Subj: After treatment
Date: 11/10/2009
I have had HS2 for 10 years with intermittent outbreaks, not enough to feel like I needed to take acyclovir until recently when the outbreaks started to be almost back to back for the last 2 months. My Dr gave me a 5 day prescription of acyclovir. During the time I took it I only had some tingling in my legs and the OB sort of stayed the same, no change. When I finished the pills the outbreak just got stronger and worse than it has been in awhile. There is so much said about how much it helps people but I am reluctant to ever try it again.

CC

Subj: Severe joint pains
Date: 11/12/2009
My partner has been taking acylovir for about 10 years. She has started to suffer lately of severe joint pains. Does this medication contribute to joint pains? If so, if she stops taking the medication, will her joint pains eventually go away?

Mike

AskDocWeb: The National Institute of Health lists joint pain under the possible side effects of the intravenous form of Acyclovir (Acyclovir Injection). Joint pain is listed as one of the possible side effect that should be reported to the prescribing physician. We did not find joint pain listed as a side effect of Acyclovir pills or Acyclovir cream.

Subj: Acyclovir 800mg
Date: 11/14/2009
My doctor said to me to take 3 acyclovir 800 mg at the same time for the herpis in my mouth.

Yolanda

Subj: Remedies for chronic fatigue?
Date: 11/14/2009
I have been taking Valtrex for about 6 mos. for Epstein Barr Virus (chronic fatigue syndrome). I have had weight gain and my fatigue has not improved, except for intermittently. Recently, I started with severe, migraine-like headaches. I am not prone to migraines, but have had sinus migraines. Are there any other remedies for chronic fatigue?

Mary

AskDocWeb: Unfortunately headaches tend to appear with chronic fatigue syndrome. Many CFS patients take alternative medications such as multi-vitamins, herbs, and nutritional supplements but how useful these are is somewhat controversial. If you have not yet found a support group you may want to start looking for one, they can be very helpful.

Subj: Acyclovir during early pregnancy?
Date: 11/17/2009
My wife had chicken pox in 7th week of pregenancy and doctor prescribed 200mg dose for 5 pill per day for 5 days. She got healed almost by seven days. Now I have only worry that what are the side effects of Aciclovair on fetus that is growing in womb. Doctors already told me about the risk of chicken pox during early pregnancy and they are doubtful about the drug also. Do you have any research data on usage of Aciclovair during early pregnancy and its side effects?

Venkat

AskDocWeb: The Center for Disease Control (CDC) research on the use of Acyclovir during pregnancy concludes that there is no increased risk for birth defects (Report from a 9 year study). Since that report came out, the Pregnancy Category of Acyclovir was changed from C to Category B, which means that it is even less likely to cause problems than was originally thought.

Subj: Drinking while taking Acyclovir?
Date: 11/18/2009
How long after taking acyclovir should I wait to drink alcohol?

Tasha

AskDocWeb: The only note of precaution we could find involving alcohol and Acyclovir said to limit alcoholic beverages. One patient reported that while taking Acyclovir a single drink gave them a hangover the next day.

Subj: Anyone else going all the time?
Date: 11/22/2009
I have been waking up in the morning with a haze over my right eye. It clears up during the day. My doctor says it has something to do with fluid collecting overnight and not being absorbed into the body. He has me taking Acyclovir 400 mg. He wanted me to take 5 times a day indefinitely. I have been taking only 2 times a day. I have had changes with urination – going all the time. I stopped the Acyclovir 3 days ago and am back to normal with my bladder habits. Anyone else run into this?

Carolyn

Subj: Trouble urinating
Date: 11/22/2009
I got the gential herpes about two weeks ago and started taking acyclovir about a 4-5 days ago and since then I have extreme trouble urinating. I have to use much strain and begin to tremble just to urinate for about 2 seconds. I have found that placing my hands or feet in warm water help me to urinate, but I am not sure if this is part of the herpes or the acyclovir. Other than that, I have used this medicine along with Gold Bond to ease the pain.

Crystal

AskDocWeb: In rare cases herpes zoster can infect the urinary tract causing difficulty in urination. The condition is temporary but some patients may require a catheter. Trouble urinating can also indicate a kidney infection or even a possible kidney stone. It is a good idea to tell your doctor right away if you have difficulty urinating. You really want to avoid having that kind of back-up in your system.

Subj: Making me sick
Date: 11/23/2009
Need some help, been taking acyclovir for almost two months now 800 mg now lowed to half. I got hipc and if making me sick what can I do?

Joseph

AskDocWeb: Acyclovir should be taken with food and with a full (8 oz) glass of water. Not doing so may result in an upset stomach. If that doesn’t work you can check with your doctor.

Subj: Any chance it might be something else?
Date: 11/24/2009
Hi, I was diagnosed with genital herpes 3 days ago. My MD saw it and said that it looks like hepes but still did a culture. She prescribed Acyclovir and I have been taking it for 2 days and the sores that I had disappeared. I will get the results in 2 weeks. I have done research on this disease and have seen pictures of it. I do not have ANY of the symptoms and the rashes that I had don’t even look like the ones I saw. I am really scared and have been depressed about all of this. Is there any chance that it might be something else? Thanks,

Diane

AskDocWeb: Your diagnosis isn’t complete until your test results have been evaluated. Until then you are only suspected of having herpes and yes, it could be something else. If the sore disappeared in only two days then it could have been a blocked duct or some other type of skin irritation.

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