Aclovir 500mg Injection

Acyclovir infusion is an antiviral medicine. It stops herpes viruses from multiplying, giving the body time to fight the infection.

It is given into a vein, usually in hospital, for:

• severe genital herpes
• chickenpox
• cold sores and genital herpes in people with a weak immune system
• serious herpes infections in young babies (up to 3 months)
• swelling of the brain (encephalitis) caused by herpes viruses

You will not give this medicine yourself. A doctor or nurse dilutes it and gives it slowly as a drip into a vein over a set time.

• The dose and how long treatment lasts depend on the infection, your age, weight and kidney function.
• Drink plenty of fluids during treatment, as your care team advises, to protect your kidneys.
• Tell the nurse if the drip site becomes painful, red or swollen.
• If you think a dose has been missed, tell your doctor or nurse.

Common side effects include:

• feeling or being sick
• itchy rash, hives or skin sensitive to light
• redness, swelling or soreness where the drip goes in
• changes in liver blood tests

Tell a doctor or nurse straight away if you have:

• swelling of the face, lips or tongue, wheezing or trouble breathing
• confusion, agitation, shaking, seeing things, fits or unusual drowsiness
• little or no pee, or pain in the lower back or kidney area
• yellow skin or eyes

Tell your doctor or nurse before treatment if you:

• have ever reacted to acyclovir or valacyclovir
• have kidney problems
• are over 65 or may be dehydrated
• are on a low-salt diet (the infusion contains some sodium)
• take probenecid, cimetidine, tacrolimus, ciclosporin or mycophenolate mofetil

Hospital staff store the vials below 25°C in the carton, away from light, and do not refrigerate them. The diluted drip is used straight away and should not be used if cloudy or crystals appear.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: tell your doctor if you are pregnant, might be, or are breastfeeding, so they can weigh up the benefits and risks.

Kidneys: keeping well hydrated is important, and the dose may be lowered if your kidneys do not work well.

Driving: no specific advice is given, but do not drive if you feel confused, dizzy or drowsy.