Aciclovir

Aciclovir (Acyclovir) is an antiviral medication prescribed for symptomatic relief of the herpes simplex virus, including herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) which causes cold sores, herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) that causes genital herpes and herpes varicella-zoster (VZV) which causes chickenpox and shingles.

You can use this medication to prevent outbreaks and also to relieve symptoms. If you start taking the pills as soon as you notice symptoms, you can significantly reduce the time it takes for the infection to go away, often within 1-2 days.

Aciclovir is available in 200mg and 800mg tablets from HealthExpress to prevent and relieve symptoms of genital herpes, cold sores and shingles. All you have to do is complete a free and confidential consultation.

Aciclovir contains the active ingredient of the same name. It works by stopping viral cells from reproducing. This stalls the virus’ spread, which enables the medication to help the body's natural defenses contain and attack the virus. Its effect means it drastically reduces how long symptoms last and lessens their severity.

You should always follow your doctor’s advice when taking prescription medication.

You can take Aciclovir with or without food but you should always take the treatment with water; this is due to the risk of dehydration, as Aciclovir tablets can cause reduced kidney function.

The dosage you're prescribed will depend on the type of infection and the symptoms' severity. The following dosages are recommended for the treatment of herpes virus:

• for the treatment of an initial genital herpes infection - take one 200mg pill 5 times a day for 5 days
• for the treatment of a cold sores infection - take one 200mg tablet 5 times a day for 5 days
• for the treatment of a recurrent genital herpes infection - take one 800mg tablet 3 times a day, or 200mg 5 times a day for 2 days
• for the prevention of genital herpes and cold sores - take two 200mg tablets twice a day for up to 6-12 months under doctor’s supervision
• for the treatment of shingles - take one 800mg tablet five times a day for 7 days

You should allow for four hours between each dose, the usual recommended times to take your medication are 7am, 11am, 3pm, 7pm and 11pm. Each Aciclovir dose should be taken at the same time for the medication to be most successful, and your pill pack is clearly labelled to help you remember this.

For prevention, you should take the following dosages:

• to prevent reinfection after a recent bout of herpes virus - take two 200mg tablets 2 - 3 times a day for 6 - 12 months
• for prevention in those who are immunocompromised - take one 200mg tablet four times a day until you are told to stop

If you miss a dose, you should take the missing pill as soon as you remember, or if it is very near your next dosage, then skip it. Do not take two tablets at once.

You should also inform your doctor if you find there are no changes to your symptoms after completing a course.

As with all prescription medications, there is a small risk of side effects. These are often temporary and most cease as the body becomes accustomed to the treatment.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness
• headaches
• nausea (feeling sick)
• diarrhoea
• skin reactions
• stomach pain
• vomiting (being sick)
• fatigue
• unexplained fever

For a more comprehensive list of side effects, please refer to the patient information leaflet. It is available to download on this page and a physical copy will also be sent to you in the box with your medication.

Most adults with genital herpes or other related viral infections can use Aciclovir tablets. There are, however, certain limitations and conditions that may prevent the use of this medicine. These include those who have:

• allergies to aciclovir, valaciclovir (Valtrex) or any of the other ingredients
• kidney problems
• diabetes

It is also not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as research has shown that Aciclovir can pass into the breast milk so caution is advised.

Some medications may alter the efficacy of Aciclovir tablets so you should always inform the prescribing doctor of any medications you are taking, especially any of the following:

• cimetidine - to treat stomach ulcers
• probenecid - to treat gout
• mycophenolate mofetil - used to prevent organ rejection after transplant
• theophylline - to treat asthma and COPD

If you are not sure whether you fall under any of these groups, please consult your GP before taking this medication.

Unfortunately, once you contract herpes simplex virus, the virus stays in your body. It largely stays inactive in your body but can occasionally become active again, which causes an outbreak of symptoms.

Genital herpes and cold sores are easily transmitted to partners at all times, you should use barrier protection (condoms) and refrain from sexual contact during outbreaks. You should also communicate your condition to your partner.

On the other hand, shingles is not contagious. However, if you are aged 70-79, the NHS offers free shingles vaccines. Those not in this age bracket can still get a shingles vaccine privately. These lower the risk of you contracting shingles but reduce symptom severity if you do contract it. Most people need only 1 dose and it protects you for life.

You can order medication like Aciclovir online, saving you the time and effort needed with an in-person appointment. HealthExpress offers the following doses: 200mg and 800mg. All you have to do is complete a free, confidential online consultation questionnaire which is then reviewed by one of our registered doctors. Once you are found to be suitable for treatment, your medication will be dispensed and dispatched discreetly with free next-day delivery.

Can I buy Aciclovir over-the-counter?

Aciclovir tablets cannot be bought over-the-counter, they can only be offered on prescription. However, Aciclovir is available in a topical cream over-the-counter for the treatment of cold sores. It is usually sold under the same name or under the brand name ‘Zovirax’.