Aciclovir, all about the drug: beware of contraindications

What is Acyclovir used for? It is a drug and is only recommended on medical advice. Let's see uses and contraindications.

What is Aciclovir used for? Antiviral drug, it is commercially available in the form of ointment, tablet and intravenous solution. Before taking the medicine , however, it is good to talk to your doctor and get to know the effects, especially the contraindications. Let's see what it is and when it is used.

Aciclovir: what it is and when it is used

Aciclovir is a drug and, as such, should only be taken on prescription. Depending on the disease to be treated, it can be administered in the form of a tablet, ointment or intravenous solution. Considered an antiviral, Aciclovir has as its active ingredient either aciclovir or acyclovir. This works by blocking the synthesis of the virus' DNA, thus preventing cell replication. The medicine is recommended in cases of:

• Herpes simplex relapses in immunocompetent patients;
• prophylaxis of Herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients;
• herpes simplex (HSV) type 1 (non-genital) and type 2 (genital), including HSV encephalitis;
• chickenpox and herpes zoster (which causes St. Anthony's fire).

As you may have guessed, the most widespread use of acyclovir is for herpes . The ointment will be prescribed if it is a lip infection, or the tablets or the intravenous solution in the other cases.

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Aciclovir: side effects

As for Aciclovir and contraindications , the most common side effects concern the gastrointestinal system. After taking, problems may arise such as: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain. Other unwanted ailments could be fatigue, fever, body aches, migraines and skin rashes. Finally, it should be noted that rapid or high-dose administration of the drug could lead to kidney complications.

It is therefore always good to read the package leaflet and in case of further information you should consult your doctor.

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