About Acyclovir

If you’ve used Acyclovir, please help others by sharing your experience with side effects. 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.

My GFR is 49!
Date: 2/13/2016
I have had shingles three times. Confirmed. I am a very healthy (seemingly) 66 year old that is extremely active (hiking, biking, swimming long distance). Been on 400 mg acyclovir 2X daily for 5 years. Had two bouts of dizziness recently. My GFR is 49!!!! This frightens me

Marcy

AskDocWeb: According to the National Kidney Foundation, normal GFR results range from 90 to 120 mL/min/1.73 m2. Since you are frightened by a test result that seems to be in the normal range it may help to talk to your doctor about the meaning of your test results.

Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) is a test used to check how well the kidneys are working. Specifically, it estimates how much blood passes through the glomeruli each minute. Glomeruli are the tiny filters in the kidneys that filter waste from the blood.

My sister gave me Acyclovir
Date: 2/17/2016
I have a cold sore my sister gave me Acyclovir…I’m scared to take it cause I take several drug tests a week will it make me have a dirty drug test?

Angie

AskDocWeb: You need to know that taking any drug that was prescribed to someone other than yourself is illegal and you can go to jail for doing that.

Acyclovir and seizures?
Date: 2/18/2016
My daughter has been taking 800mg a day for over 12 months due to an eye tuama and in the last 5 weeks has had two seizures. The doctor she saw at the hospital recalled this product being associated with fits is this true? Something has also now cropped up 9n an ECG which they are saying is an irregular heat beat?

Jayne

AskDocWeb: Seizures and fast heartbeat are listed as a possible side effects of Acyclovir that can be serious. However, if the herpes virus has infected brain tissue then Acyclovir may be one of the choices of treatment.

Potassium level?
Date: 2/26/2016
Hi I am majid from pakistan do acyclovir have any effect on potassium level?

Abdul

AskDocWeb: The drug data information we have does not mention any effect on the potassium level.

Be careful
Date: 2/27/2016
Taking Acyclovir and Methyiprednisolone for a tiny rash, P.A. said it looked like shingles, l had n pain, no itch, but this medicine caused m t get t flu, coughing up mucus, headache, low grade fever, wish l hab not been t see my dr..called nurse ,she said take Robitussin, which l am. rash has gone. Be careful of takings meds, when they are not sure, think it was poison ivy..

Mary

Blurred vision
Date: 2/28/2016
I am 69 and had genital herpes many years ago, was treated with acyclovir and had no other problems for many years. Couple of years ago had shingles and treated again. Currently taking 400mg 5xdaily for what I suspect might be oral herpes 1. Vision is blurred. Will this subside after I stop this dosage?

Ronald

AskDocWeb: If you suspect that you might have oral herpes then there are tests your doctor can perform to verify that or identify what you do have. Taking it without a doctor’s prescription is not recommended.

Blurred vision is one of the possible side effects but that goes away when the medication is discontinued.

Itching in the pelvic area
Date: 3/19/2016
I’ve been taking 800 mgs of Acyclovir for a month now and I have intense itching in my pelvic area. Do you think this is due to the medication or nerves from the HSV? I’ve only had one outbreak and didn’t have much of an itch till I started taking the acyclovir. Help!

Karla

AskDocWeb: Two things indicate that the symptom is due to the HSV; first is the fact that the itching is confined to the pelvic area. If it was an allergic reaction caused by the medication then the itching would more likely to be in several areas over the body. The second is that intense itching in that specific area is known to be one of the symptoms of HSV. Your doctor can recommend a topical cream to help ease the itching.

Change in menstrual cycles?
Date: 4/18/2016
I started taking Acyclovir 3 months ago as suppression therapy for HSV1. Ever since I’ve had 14-17 day menstrual cycles. Highly unusual for me and has never happened before. With no other changes health or lifestyle wise in this time frame could this be a side effect of Acyclovir?

J

AskDocWeb: Although it is not listed as a side effect, others have reported menstrual problems and changes in their period when taking Acyclovir.

A little fuzzy headed
Date: 5/1/2016
I started Acyclovir 3 days ago. I take 5 pills a day 800mg for io days for my shingles. I caught it early. Drink lots of water and take a little food or fruit with your meds. I am sleeping well. I am a little fuzzy headed when I wake up. After a warm shower and a good breakfast I start taking my med. Be careful you do no not get caught up reading too much about side effects. Read, watch TV, and although your shingles burn and hurts somewhat. Remember you are only taking the pills for 10 days or longer and it will go by quickly. Use inner strength to help get you over the hump. Good Luck,

Bert

Sex while no sores?
Date: 5/5/2016
I am taking acyclovir only for during infection not regularly. Can I sex with my wife while not sores on my genital?

Prashant

AskDocWeb: Most people think that herpes is contagious only when the sores are present but that is not true. Studies have shown that the disease may be spread by having sex even when there are no sores.

Shingles outbreak
Date: 5/5/2016
Had a shingles out break on right side of head, extending from crown of head to and including eye. Took acyclovir before outbreak (I had contacted Dr. because of pain in eye. She recognized the symptom even without rash. Duration was very severe. Cornea damaged. Cornea specialists has had me constantly on med from 400mg twice to 800mg 5 times at some times, and feels that I should be on it forever. That was 7 yrs ago. I have almost no vision and was fitted with contact lens. Your input?

Violet

AskDocWeb: Not sure what kind of input you are looking for Violet. Most people build up a gradual resistance to the virus over a period of years and outbreaks become less severe.

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