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: Pills and cream
Date: 6/6/2005
Everytime I am in the sun for a long time, shingles appear on my lips. Is it possible to use acyclovir pills and cream at the same time to treat those shingles?

Tamara

AskDocWeb: Yes it is and most authorities agree that the cream does not seem to be very effective if used alone.

Subj: Virus mutation?
Date: 6/7/2005
I have severe bells palsy one year, permanent facial nerve damage. I have had recurrent herpes infections on my left flank, left leg, right leg also viral menigitis twice in one year requiring hospitalization. I am on acyclovir for about three months, I feel better. My friend who has his doctorate in biophysics feels that the weaker parts of the virus are held back, but it will mutate and become immune to the medicine. Is there something else to help in that event?

Lorna

AskDocWeb: Your friend is correct but shame on them for only telling you part of the story. They should have also told you that virus mutation is unpredictable. It may take a few years for that to happen or it could be 50 years from now.

Subj: Acyclovir for protection?
Date: 6/14/2005
I take 800 mg. of acyclovir a day to suppress my cold sores on the mouth. I was wondering, if I had unprotected sex would the acyclovir protect me from catching genital herpes if my partner had it?

AskDocWeb: No it doesn’t protect you from anything. That is the difference between an antiviral drug and a vaccine. An antiviral drug like Acyclovir fights the infection. A vaccine prevents you from becoming infected. Currently there is no vaccine for genital herpes.

Subj: Popping noises
Date: 6/25/2005
Can taking acyclovir cause popping like noises in your head like ear popping?

SANDRA

AskDocWeb: No.

Subj: Questions about herpes and Acyclovir
Date: 7/1/2005
Hi, I found out I had herpes 2 and my dermatologist prescribed acyclovir. I took it for 6 days but then developed a sore throat and a complete lack of sexual energy where I did not have an erection the whole week I was on the medicine. Could this latter part be due to stress or is it a side effect of the drug? Thank you much.

One more question. If I was diagnosed with an early infection of herpes 2 (negative igg and 1.4 igm) can acyclovir prevent further infection or is it too late? Thank you much,

toro9999

AskDocWeb: The sore throat and ED were probably stress. It is no longer a matter of getting infected, once you are infected then you have herpes. The herpes virus is now in your body and will stay there until a cure is found. We do not currently have a cure for herpes. Your herpes will continue to appear off and on (called outbreaks) and you will be prescribed acyclovir when outbreaks occur.

Subj: Rash all over body
Date: 7/1/2005
My daughter has been taking Acyclovir for five days. We’ve noticed a rash of small red bumps on her body. They started on her stomach and are now all over her body. Is this common?

Julie

AskDocWeb: That depends on why she is taking Acyclovir. Is it chickenpox? The rash caused by chickenpox typically consists of pink or red bumps (papules) which turn into fluid-filled blisters (vesicles). These crust over and scab. In healthy children this disease is generally mild. Be sure to contact your doctor if the rash spreads to one or both eyes, or if there is dizziness, disorientation, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, loss of muscle coordination, vomiting, tremors, stiff neck, or a fever higher than 103 F (39.4 C).

Subj: No side effects
Date: 7/3/2005
I am happy to say that this medication helped my genital herpes out break. It cleared up very fast. There were really no side effects at all. Thanks,

Seana

Subj: Acyclovir and osteoporosis?
Date: 7/5/2005

Can you please tell me if Acyclovir can cause osteoporosis in a person when taking 800mg. daily for 7 years? Thank you.

Neli

AskDocWeb: None have been reported.

Subj: Tinnitus and dizziness with Acyclovir
Date: 7/5/2005
Hi, I used to take acyclovir as needed for cold sore outbreaks. I am getting them monthly along with tinnitus and dizziness. My doctor put me on valtrex one gram a day. after a few months I started having a burning sensation on the skin of my arms and legs , but no rash or redness. I stopped taking it. Could this be a side effect from Valtrex?

Jane

AskDocWeb: Yes it could. Sounds like you need to discuss hypersensitivity with your physician.

Subj: Can herpes be outgrown?
Date: 7/11/2005
My 10 year old son was diagnosed with herpes when he experienced cold sores in his mouth and he was prescribed acyclovir. Can children outgrow herpes?

Paula

AskDocWeb: No, herpes is not a condition like an allergy that can be outgrown. It is a virus that may be inactive for long periods of time but it is never outgrown. It will be with him until medical science comes up with a vaccine. The good news is that we expect this to happen within the next 10 to 15 years.

Subj: Tunnel vision and feeling numb
Date: 7/15/2005
When I was first prescribed Acyclovir I was told to take 800 mg 5 times a day after my third dosage I felt weird, had a little tunnel vision and my body was slightly numb. I put a call into my doctor and he said he had never heard of that before and told me it was one the safest drugs for herpes zoster, which is what I have on my right index finger in one spot that it appears every time. Usually when it pops up my finger gets so swollen, tight, I get a big red line going up my arm and my lymphatic swells under my arm feeling bruised. I just had the beginning signs of it coming on again so I decided to give another try but this time I reduced the amount I took, still 800 MG but only twice a day. The only side effect I felt was a slight headache and the signs of the virus are subsiding know. Do you think that was still ok to do? Thanks for your input. Also I will be going to chiropractor/homeopathic doctor to try natural ways to deal with this issue. What do you think?

Just

AskDocWeb: It is possible that you are hypersensitive to this drug. You might ask your doctor about that possibility. If you are taking them only twice a day then you’re not getting the recommended dosage, but you did see some improvement so that’s good. It would be helful if you would share any “natural ways” you find to cope with herpes.

Subj: Skin rash with Acyclovir
Date: 7/16/2005
After 4 days of taking 800mg of Acyclovir I developed a skin rash across my upper back and it has spread to my collar bone area. The itching started the 2nd day and I continued the medication not realizing that the medication could be causing it. I discontinued on the 5th day. It has now been 7 days since my first dose and I still have the rash. Do you think the rash is from the Acyclovir? There is not anything else that changed in my diet or no new soap or lotions. If so how long do you think this will last? Is there anything I can take or do to make it go away? Benadryl has not helped.

Marcy

AskDocWeb: Yes, the rash could be from the Acyclovir. Since Benadryl hasn’t helped you may need a steroid to get rid of the rash.

Subj: Acyclovir works better than Valtrex
Date: 7/20/2005
I have used Acyclovir for treatment of recurrent genital herpes. For me, I’ve had great success with 200mg, 5 times daily for these recurrent episodes. I also tried Valtrex (Valacyclovir hydrochloride) because of more convenient dosing, but have found that the older and cheaper Acyclovir works better.

J

Subj: Zoster Myelitis and Acyclovir
Date: 7/26/2005
My brother was just diagnosed with Zoster Myelitis, after being told he had multiple sclerosis and was about to start interferon therapy. The docs want to start acyclovir parenterally for ten days and they told him he should be hospitalized during this time. Would he be able to get the IV acyclovir at home? Will the acyclovir eradicate the inflammatory lesions that are now in his cervical spine from the zoster virus? Thanks,

Lisa

AskDocWeb: This is something you need to discuss with his physician, he knows what’s best for your brother.

Subj: Acyclovir for herpes?
Date: 7/28/2005
I was recently given Acyclovir, and when I read what it was prescribed for herpes so does that mean that I have herpes?

Curios guy

AskDocWeb: Perhaps one type of herpes, there are several kinds. Your doctor should tell you why he wrote the prescription for it.

Subj: Metallic taste
Date: 8/5/2005
HELP! I have just started taking Lunesta since I have not slept over 6 hours in the last two weeks. The 1st time I took a pill I got a awful metallic taste in my mouth. It is gross and every time I swallow a liquid, it only gets worse. Please help. What can I take to make this taste disappear? ANY suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Kathie

AskDocWeb: Many drugs can cause changes in taste. You can learn more here.

Subj: Allergic reaction
Date: 8/6/2005
I’ve been taking 400mg acyclovir every day for approximately three months. About four weeks ago I began to develop little red itchy bumps on my skin in various places such as: upper back, thighs, arms and stomach. They look and feel like mosquito bites, but my dermatologist says it is an allergic reaction to something. I received a cortisone shots, steroidal ointment and clarinex. The bumps went away for a few days or so and then reappeared in different locations. I am now taking prednisone to get rid of the bumps. Is a skin rash a sign of an allergic reaction to acyclovir? If so what might the rash look like? Is this just a coincidence?

A

AskDocWeb: This sounds like it is an allergic reaction but not necessarily to the Acyclovir. Make sure the doctor that prescribed the Acyclovir knows about your symptoms. He may want to adjust your dosage or change your medication. An allergic reaction would appear as a raised rash with large red blotches.

Subj: Tender skin around neck
Date: 8/13/2005
Having burns around neck. They almost look as if a noose has been placed around entire neck area. The skin is very tender, and the burns look third degree in nature.

Don

AskDocWeb: Are you saying Acyclovir caused these? If so, you may need medical attention because that would sound like an allergic reaction.

Subj: Timunox for herpes?
Date: 8/12/2005
I found answers at this website very useful. I would like to inquire if anyone has used Timunox for herpes treatment? I am currently on 800mg/day Acyclovir and am having an outbreak still! I have heard that Timunox is very effective but do not know anyone who has used it. Thank you!

Concerned

Subj: Acyclovir dosage
Date: 8/18/2005
Can acyclovir taken 200-400mg per day be effective as a herpes viral suppressant? Also at this dose, can a person experience symptoms of depression caused by the drug? Thank you!

Rjl

AskDocWeb: It depends on your age, weight, height, etc. and it is best to ask your doctor if it’s what you need.

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