Does acyclovir affect liver function?
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.
Does valacyclovir cause liver damage?
No instances of acute liver failure or chronic liver injury have been linked to valacyclovir use. The liver injury associated with valacyclovir is usually mild and resolves rapidly.
What happens after you stop taking acyclovir?
Take or use acyclovir until you finish the prescription, even if you feel better. If you stop taking acyclovir too soon or skip doses, your infection may not be completely treated or may become more difficult to treat.
Does shingles affect your liver?
In very rare cases, shingles can lead to inflammation or swelling in your lungs, brain, liver, or death.
How can I reduce the side effects of valacyclovir?
Take valacyclovir by mouth, with or without food, as directed by your doctor. Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to lower the chance of side effects.
Can acyclovir damage kidneys?
Acyclovir nephrotoxicity occurs in approximately 12–48% of cases, is associated with 3 patterns of kidney injury: tubular dysfunction and electrolyte loss, direct injury to the renal tubular cells and crystalluria, in 46% of patient that recive IV acyclovir develop hypokalemia.
Does acyclovir weaken immune system?
Our data reveal that low dose acyclovir does indeed decrease the cytokine response of CD4+ T cells to the late viral protein pp65 and indicates a potential role of this drug as an agent to modulate CMV-specific immunity.
How long does it take for acyclovir to leave your system?
Because valacyclovir is a prodrug, it's only active in your body for a short period of time after it's taken. On its own, its half-life is approximately 30 minutes. However, once valacyclovir has converted into acyclovir, it has a half-life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function.
How do you prevent acyclovir nephrotoxicity?
The risk of acyclovir induced nephropathy can be minimized with empiric IV fluids to establish euvolemia before drug administration, avoiding rapid infusion of the drug (infuse slowly over 1-2 hours), and adjusting the dose for renal function if necessary [1].
Can shingles increase liver enzymes?
One factor that's important to keep in mind when using valacyclovir is that the infections it treats—particularly shingles, or herpes zoster—can also produce an increase in liver enzyme levels, making it difficult to track whether elevated ALT values are caused by the drug or the virus.
Can shingles vaccine affect liver enzymes?
blindness, liver damage and liver failure, neuropathy, and. postherpetic neuralgia (PHN).
Why am I so tired after shingles?
You may experience fatigue while you have shingles. However, it's also possible to feel fatigued even after the shingles rash has disappeared. Fatigue may happen indirectly due to PHN, a complication of shingles that involves lingering pain. Many people with PHN experience insomnia.
How It Works
Upsides
- Acyclovir may be used in the treatment of herpes zoster virus (shingles). Acyclovir does not completely rid the body of the herpes zoster virus.
- Acyclovir may be used to treat initial and recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Acyclovir does not cure genital herpes or completely rid the body of the herpes virus.
- Acyclovir may be used in the treatment of varicella (chickenpox).
- Acyclovir may be used in the treatment of herpes zoster virus (shingles). Acyclovir does not completely rid the body of the herpes zoster virus.
- Acyclovir may be used to treat initial and recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Acyclovir does not cure genital herpes or completely rid the body of the herpes virus.
- Acyclovir may be used in the treatment of varicella (chickenpox).
- Inhibits herpes simplex virus types 1 (HSV-1), 2 (HSV-2), and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).
Downsides
- If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and a general unwell feeling. Buccal tablets may cause mouth pain. Rarely, acyclovir may affect your kidneys or cause a bleeding disorder. 2. May not be suitable for some people, in…
Bottom Line
- Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that treats infections caused by HSV-1, HSV-2, and varicella-zoster viruses such as chickenpox, genital herpes, and shingles. It is most effective when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
Tips
- Acyclovir treatment is best started within 72 hours of symptom onset (ie, rash, blisters, tingling, burning) and most effective if started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
- Take acyclovir for the exact time prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve. Although acyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold.
- Shake acyclovir oral suspension well before using. Use a proper dosing syringe or medicine c…
- Acyclovir treatment is best started within 72 hours of symptom onset (ie, rash, blisters, tingling, burning) and most effective if started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
- Take acyclovir for the exact time prescribed by your doctor, even if your symptoms improve. Although acyclovir treats viruses, it is not effective against the flu or the common cold.
- Shake acyclovir oral suspension well before using. Use a proper dosing syringe or medicine cup to correctly measure dosage, not a kitchen teaspoon.
- If you have been prescribed buccal tablets to treat a cold sore, place the flat side of the buccal tablet against your upper gum, behind your lip, and in front of your canine tooth on the same side...
Response and Effectiveness
- May take up to two hours to reach peak plasma concentrations after oral acyclovir administration.
- May take up to three days for symptom reduction; however, acyclovir should be taken until the course prescribed is completed. Acyclovir works best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
- May take up to two hours to reach peak plasma concentrations after oral acyclovir administration.
- May take up to three days for symptom reduction; however, acyclovir should be taken until the course prescribed is completed. Acyclovir works best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.
- In herpes zoster (shingles) infections, acyclovir shortened the time it took lesions to scab over and decreased the time needed for the rash to heal and become pain-free. Adults older than 50 gaine...
- In varicella infections (chickenpox), acyclovir shortened the time to 50% healing, reduced the number of lesions and vesicles, and decreased rates of fever and tiredness by day 2.
Interactions
- Medicines that interact with acyclovir may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with acyclovir. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be mana…
Further Information
- Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use acyclovir only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: May 25, 2022. Medical Disclaimer