Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) (2024)

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Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Active Ingredient:

aciclovir

Company:

Ranbaxy (UK) Limited a Sun Pharmaceutical Company See contact details

ATC code:

J05AB01

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The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is the leaflet included in the pack with a medicine.

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) (21)

Last updated on emc:05 Aug 2022

View or print the patient leaflet as PDF

Below is a text only representation of the Patient Information Leaflet (ePIL).

The text only version may be available in large print, Braille or audio CD.For further information call emc accessibility on 0800 198 5000.The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 14894/0008.

Print patient leaflet as text only

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Package leaflet: Information for the user

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this medicine because it contains important information for you.

  • Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
  • If you have any further questions, ask your doctor, pharmacist or nurse.
  • This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
  • If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. See section 4.

What is in this leaflet

1. What Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets are and what they are used for
2. What you need to know before you take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets
3. How to take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets
6. Contents of the pack and other information.

1. What Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets are and what they are used for

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets contain a medicine called aciclovir. This belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses.

Aciclovir can be used to

  • treat chickenpox and shingles
  • treat cold sores, genital herpes and other herpes simplex infections
  • stop these problems returning after you have had them
  • stop these problems in people whose immune system works less well, which means their bodies are less able to fight infections

2. What you need to know before you take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Do not take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets:

  • if you are allergic to aciclovir or valaciclovir or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

Do not take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets.

Warnings and precautions

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse before taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

  • if you have kidney problems
  • if you are over 65 years of age

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets.

It is important that you drink plenty of water while taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Children

Aciclovir tablets can be used mainly for the treatment of non-severe skin and mucous membranes herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Your child’s doctor will recommend IV aciclovir for the treatment of neonatal HSV and severe HSV infection, if your child’s immune system is not working properly.

Other medicines and Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.

In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines.

  • probenecid, used to treat gout
  • cimetidine, used to treat stomach ulcers
  • mycophenolate mofetil, used to stop your body rejecting transplanted organs

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machines

Some side effects such as feeling drowsy or sleepy may impair your ability to concentrate and react. Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery.

3. How to take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

Taking this medicine

  • Take this medicine by mouth
  • Dissolve the tablet in a glass of water and stir before drinking
  • If you prefer, the tablet can also be swallowed whole with a little water.
  • Start to take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets as soon as possible.

The dose that you should take will depend on what you have been given Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets for. Your doctor will discuss this with you. A 200 mg tablet is also available.

Treatment of chickenpox and shingles

  • The usual dose is two 400 mg tablet taken five times a day
  • You should space your dose by at least four hours
  • Suggested times are: 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm
  • You should take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets for seven days.

Treatment of cold sores and genital herpes

  • The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken five times a day
  • You should space your dose by at least four hours
  • Suggested times are: 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm
  • You should take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets for five days, or longer if your doctor tells you to.

Stopping these problems returning after you have had them

  • The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken four times a day
  • You should try to space each dose by 6 hours
  • You should take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

Stopping these problems in people whose immune systems work less well and whose bodies are less able to fight infections

  • The usual dose is one 200 mg tablet taken four times a day
  • You should try to space each dose by 6 hours
  • You should take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets until your doctor tells you to stop.

Your doctor may adjust the dose of Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets if:

  • it is for a child
  • you are over 65 years of age
  • you have kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, it is important to drink plenty of water while you are being treated with Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Talk to your doctor before taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets if any of the above apply.

If you take more Aciclovir Tablets than you should

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets are not usually harmful, unless you take too much over several days. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take too much Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets. Take the medicine pack with you.

If you forget to take Aciclovir Tablets

  • .If you forget to take Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose
  • Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.

Serious side effects:

If any of the following happen, stop taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital.

Allergic reactions (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets and see a doctor straight away. The signs may include:

  • rash, itching or hives on your skin
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue or other parts of your body
  • shortness of breath, wheezing or trouble breathing
  • collapse

Other side effects include:

Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)

  • headache
  • feeling dizzy
  • feeling or being sick
  • diarrhoea
  • stomach pains
  • rash
  • skin reaction after exposure to light (photosensitivity)
  • itching
  • feeling tired
  • unexplained fever (high temperature) and feeling faint, especially when standing up.

Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)

  • itchy, hive-like rash
  • hair loss.

Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)

  • effects on some blood and urine tests
  • increases in the enzymes that work in the liver.

Very rare (may affect up to 1 in 10,000 people)

  • reduced numbers of red blood cells (anaemia)
  • reduced numbers of white blood cells
    (leukopenia)
  • reduced numbers of blood platelets (cells that help blood to clot) (thrombocytopenia)
  • feeling weak
  • feeling agitated or confused
  • shaking or tremors
  • hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
  • fits
  • feeling unusually sleepy or drowsy
  • unsteadiness when walking and lack of coordination
  • difficulty speaking
  • inability to think or judge clearly
  • unconsciousness (coma)
  • paralysis of part or all of your body
  • disturbances of behaviour, speech and eye movements
  • stiff neck and sensitivity to light
  • inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)
  • yellowing of your skin and whites of your eyes (jaundice)
  • kidney problems where you pass little or no urine
  • pain in your lower back, the kidney area of your back or just above your hip (renal pain).

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine

5. How to store Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets

Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.

Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the blister and the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.

Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.

6. Contents of the pack and other information

Aciclovir Tablets are available in three different strengths:

However, this leaflet applies only to 400 mg strength.

What Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets contain

The active substance is Aciclovir. Each tablet contains 400 mg of Aciclovir.

The other ingredients are:

Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycollate, pregelatinised starch and colloidal anhydrous silica.

What Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets look like and contents of the pack

Aciclovir 400 mg tablets are capsule shaped biconvex uncoated white to off-white tablets with “400” debossed on one side and “ACV” on the other side.

Aciclovir Tablets are available in packs of 56, 60, 70 and 100 tablets.

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer

Marketing Authorisation Holder:

SUN PHARMA UK LIMITED
6-9 The Square
Stockley Park
Uxbridge
UB11 1FW
United Kingdom

Manufacturers:

Terapia S.A.
124 Fabricii Street
400632 Cluj-Napoca
Cluj Romania

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Europe BV
Polarisavenue 87
2132 JH Hoofddorp
The Netherlands

This leaflet was last revised in July 2022.

V060

Ranbaxy (UK) Limited a Sun Pharmaceutical Company

Aciclovir 400 mg Tablets - Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) (25)

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6-9 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, UB11 1FW, UK

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+44 (0) 208 848 8688

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+44 (0) 208 848 5052

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FAQs

How many days should you take aciclovir 400mg? ›

Keep taking the medicine until it's all finished or until your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking it. For treating a viral infection, you'll usually take aciclovir for 5 to 10 days. For prevention, you may need to take it for a long time.

What is acyclovir tablet IP 400 mg used for? ›

Aciclovir Tablets are indicated for the prophylaxis of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients. Aciclovir Tablets are indicated for the treatment of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) infections.

Can you drink alcohol while taking acyclovir 400 mg? ›

Yes, you can drink alcohol while taking aciclovir. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking aciclovir. Can lifestyle changes prevent cold sores or herpes infections?

Can you crush acyclovir tablets? ›

Do not crush, chew, suck, or swallow the tablet. Apply the tablet on the same side of the mouth with the cold sores symptoms.

What should I avoid while taking acyclovir? ›

Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that may cause kidney problems (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen). Acyclovir is very similar to valacyclovir. Do not use medications containing valacyclovir while using acyclovir.

Why do you need to drink lots of water with acyclovir? ›

If you are taking acyclovir capsules, tablets, or oral suspension, you should drink plenty of water to avoid becoming dehydrated.

What viruses does acyclovir fight? ›

Acyclovir is an agent used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Acyclovir is FDA-approved to treat genital herpes and HSV encephalitis. Non-FDA-approved indications are mucocutaneous HSV, herpes zoster (shingles), and varicella zoster (chickenpox).

Who cannot take acyclovir? ›

have ever had an allergic reaction to aciclovir or any other medicine. have kidney problems. are over 65 years old. are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding.

How fast does acyclovir 400mg work? ›

How Long Does It Take for Acyclovir to Work? Acyclovir begins to work within 24 to 48 hours after you start taking it. It may take four or five days for symptoms to reduce, but you should continue consuming the medication until the prescribed course is complete. It will help to reduce the chance of reoccurrence.

What is the most common side effect of acyclovir? ›

Common acyclovir side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms usually disappear as your child's body adjusts to the medication. Other common side effects include loss of appetite and headache. If these symptoms persist, please tell your transplant coordinator.

Does acyclovir affect sleep? ›

Acyclovir may cause mild side effects. Examples of mild side effects reported with acyclovir include: Diarrhea. Difficulty sleeping.

Is acyclovir hard on the liver? ›

Hepatotoxicity. Despite widespread use, there is little evidence that acyclovir when given orally causes significant liver injury. Serum enzyme levels generally do not change during oral acyclovir therapy.

Why is my boyfriend taking acyclovir? ›

Acyclovir is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past), and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes (a herpes virus infection that causes sores to form ...

Can you brush your teeth while taking acyclovir? ›

What should I avoid while taking acyclovir? Avoid brushing your teeth, chewing gum, or wearing an upper denture while you have a buccal tablet in your mouth. You may rinse your mouth gently.

What painkillers can I take with acyclovir? ›

Paracetamol is safe to take with aciclovir if you need a painkiller. Speak to your doctor if this does not help or your headaches are severe. If aciclovir makes you feel dizzy, stop what you're doing and sit or lie down until you feel better.

How long can you safely take acyclovir? ›

The tablets, capsules, and suspension are usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes, it is usually taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months.

Do you have to take valacyclovir every day for the rest of life? ›

Do You Have to Take Valacyclovir Every Day for the Rest of Your Life? There's no cure for the herpes virus, but that doesn't mean you have to take valacyclovir for the rest of your life. If you're treating a cold sore outbreak, you may only need to take valacyclovir for one day.

Can you take acyclovir 400 mg twice a day? ›

Typical dosage for prevention of recurrent herpes: 400 mg twice per day, every day for up to 12 months. Other dosing plans may include doses ranging from 200 mg three times daily to 200 mg five times daily. Your doctor will decide how long you should take this drug to avoid a flare-up of the infection.

How long should you take antivirals for shingles? ›

For treatment of shingles: Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) three times a day for seven days.

References

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