What is Acyclovir 800mg: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions

 Herpes viruses cause a wide range of human infections. Although the formulation of successful antiviral medication against herpes viruses was slow until the last ten years, the formulation of Acyclovir is a promising alternative in the pharmaceutical industry.

Acyclovir Uses

Acyclovir 800mg has been discovered to treat cold sores and genital herpes caused by the herpes virus. It is also useful in treating chickenpox and shingles. The medicine is supplied as dispersible 800 mg tablets for oral administration. It can help relieve pain and heal sores or blisters. The antiviral medication is useful in treating a variety of herpes. These include:

• Genital herpes simplex
• Herpes simplex labialis (cold sores)
• Herpes simplex keratitis (ocular herpes)
• Herpes zoster (shingles)
• Herpes simplex blepharitis
• Herpes simplex encephalitis

All these viruses are the main cause of infection; they attack internally and come into action during an outbreak. Note that the medication is not for curing the infections. It helps treat an outbreak, quickens the process of healing the sores, and lowers the complications resulting from the infection. This involves brain infection, pain that persists for a long time after healing a sore, or whole-body infection.

Side effects of Acyclovir

Acyclovir rarely causes side effects; if they occur, they are usually mild. The most commonly reported side effects are diarrhea, general malaise, and nausea. The serious category of side effects includes seizures, changes in mood, bruising, unusual bleeding, and vision problems. Report these side effects immediately to your healthcare specialist.

Common side effects associated with Acyclovir

Most patients experience the following side effects: mild and manageable. Such side effects are given below:

• Headaches
• Diarrhoea
• Nausea
• Feeling of illness and malaise
• Vomiting

The infection that is being treated may have a direct impact on which Acyclovir side effects you experience. According to clinical trials, patients suffering from genital herpes are commonly reported with nausea, whereas diarrhea occurs in those patients who are taking Acyclovir for chickenpox.  People who were taking this antiviral medication for treating herpes zoster experienced malaise as the most common side effect. If any of these persist for a long time and troubles you or worsens your condition, you should immediately consult your health care specialist.

After taking Acyclovir for a few days, some people find that some patients come to know that they are allergic to the antiviral medication.  Such people develop allergic reactions like anaphylaxis. Other serious side effects of the medicine include seizures, loss of consciousness, trouble breathing, unusual bleeding, hallucinations, yellowing of the skin, confusion, or extreme sleepiness.

Acyclovir interactions

Some medications may affect the mode of action of your antiviral medication, so it is important to let your healthcare specialist know about all the medications you are using at the time of Acyclovir treatment. Medications that can interact with your herpes medicine include:

• Several medications used to treat fungal or bacterial infection, including amikacin, tobramycin, and amphotericin
• OTC pain relievers
• HIV drugs