This article describes possible side effects of acyclovir oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for acyclovir. You can explore this overview article to learn more about acyclovir oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, side effects, ways to save on cost, and more.
Acyclovir oral tablet is a generic medication. It isn’t available in a brand-name version. Acyclovir also comes in an injectable form, a form you apply to your skin, a form applied in your mouth, and other forms that you swallow. But these forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
More common side effects of acyclovir
Acyclovir oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects.
Below are some of the more common side effects of acyclovir oral tablet that occurred during the drug’s studies. The more common side effects varied based on the condition being treated.
More common side effects reported in people taking acyclovir oral tablet for short-term treatment of genital herpes include:
More common side effects reported in people taking acyclovir oral tablet for long-term treatment of genital herpes include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- nausea
The most common side effect reported in people taking acyclovir oral tablet for shingles was malaise (a general feeling of discomfort).
The most common side effect reported in people taking acyclovir oral tablet for chickenpox was diarrhea.
Mild side effects of acyclovir
Acyclovir may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of acyclovir oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- diarrhea
- headache
- malaise (a general feeling of discomfort)
- nausea or vomiting
- mild allergic reaction*
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acyclovir in detail” section below. An allergic reaction is possible with acyclovir oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Serious side effects of acyclovir
Acyclovir may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from acyclovir oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911 or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with acyclovir.
Serious side effects of acyclovir oral tablet weren’t reported in studies. But serious side effects that occurred in some people after the drug was approved for use include:
- kidney failure*
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or hemolytic uremic syndrome, which are rare blood clotting disorders*
- severe allergic reaction*†
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of acyclovir in detail” section below.
† An allergic reaction is possible with acyclovir oral tablet. But it wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Common questions about side effects of acyclovir
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of acyclovir oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
How long do side effects of acyclovir usually last?
Usually, side effects of acyclovir oral tablet are temporary. But some people taking the drug long term reported nausea, headache, and diarrhea. It’s unclear how long these side effects lasted.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Can acyclovir be prescribed for bacterial infections? If so, are the side effects different if it’s taken for this type of infection?
No, acyclovir isn’t prescribed to treat bacterial infections. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. It’s active against certain viruses, but it has no effect against bacteria. Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial infections, but they have no effect on viruses. You cannot substitute one kind of drug for the other.
Because acyclovir isn’t prescribed to treat bacterial infections, its side effects for this purpose haven’t been studied.
You can learn more about treating bacterial infections by talking with your doctor or pharmacist.
Will acyclovir 800 mg cause more side effects than acyclovir 400 mg?
It’s possible that acyclovir 800 milligrams (mg) may cause more side effects than acyclovir 400 mg.
In studies, side effects occurred more in people who took 800 mg five times per day than in people who took a lower dose. But it’s hard to compare side effect rates across different studies. It’s possible that the higher rate of side effects was due to something other than dosage.
If you have bothersome side effects, tell your doctor. They may be able to suggest ways to manage the side effects, such as by adjusting your dosage.
Does acyclovir cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases, acyclovir oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These can occur if you take the drug for a long time.
Examples of long-term side effects reported with acyclovir oral tablet include:
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with acyclovir.
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Side effects of acyclovir in detail
Below you’ll find details on some of the side effects of acyclovir oral tablet.
Kidney problems
Kidney problems weren’t reported in studies of acyclovir oral tablet. But kidney failure occurred in some people after the drug was approved for use. This side effect is serious and, in some cases, resulted in death.
With kidney failure, your kidneys stop working correctly and can’t filter toxins out of your blood like they should. Symptoms may include:
- back pain
- confusion
- fatigue (lack of energy)
- fluid buildup that causes swelling in the legs or feet
- nausea
- shortness of breath
- urinating less than usual
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of kidney failure, seek emergency medical care or call 911. If you experience kidney problems with acyclovir, your doctor will likely have you stop taking the drug.
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Get free cardBlood clotting problems
Certain blood clotting problems are possible with acyclovir. These include thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). TTP and HUS weren’t reported in studies of acyclovir oral tablet. But the conditions have occurred in some people after the drug was approved for use. These side effects are serious and have, in some cases, resulted in death.
With TTP or HUS, you have tiny blood clots that can cause blood vessel damage throughout your body. Symptoms may include:
- confusion
- bruises or discolored spots on the skin
- extreme tiredness
- fever
- headache
- skin that is paler than usual
- shortness of breath
- unusual bleeding, including blood in the urine
Having a weakened immune system can increase the risk of TTP or HUS with acyclovir oral tablet.
Ways to manage
If you experience symptoms of TTP or HUS, seek emergency medical care or call 911. If you experience either of these conditions with acyclovir, your doctor will likely have you stop taking the drug.
Allergic reaction
For some people, acyclovir oral tablet can cause an allergic reaction. But this side effect wasn’t reported in the drug’s studies.
Symptoms can be mild or serious, and they may include:
- itchiness
- skin rash
- swelling under the skin, usually affecting eyelids, lips, hands, or feet
- swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, which can make it hard to breathe
- flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to acyclovir oral tablet, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Warnings for acyclovir
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking acyclovir oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take acyclovir oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether acyclovir oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking acyclovir oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- kidney problems
- immune system conditions
- past allergic reaction to acyclovir
Acyclovir and pregnancy
It’s not known whether acyclovir oral tablet should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Acyclovir and breastfeeding
It’s not known whether acyclovir oral tablet should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.
Acyclovir and alcohol
Acyclovir oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol.
But alcohol can cause some of the same side effects as acyclovir oral tablet. These include headache, nausea, and vomiting. Drinking alcohol while taking acyclovir oral tablet may make these side effects worse.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it during your treatment with acyclovir oral tablet.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of acyclovir oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Do I have a higher risk of side effects than other people if I take acyclovir oral tablets?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on the dose I take?
- How can I help prevent or manage common side effects of acyclovir oral tablet?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.