Acivir Cream
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | Cipla Ltd |
| Active Ingredient | Acyclovir (5% w/w) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Nucleoside analog |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | DERMA |
| Action Class | Antiviral (Non-HIV) drugs |
| User Rating | 4.5 |
| User Reviews | 775 |
FAQ
What precautions do I need to take while using Acivir?
Be careful not to get Acivir into your eyes or mouth. If you happen to get it in your eyes, rinse off with plenty of water immediately and contact your doctor. You must not use Acivir if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. Tell your doctor if you notice any allergic reaction while using it for the first time. Inform your doctor if you are taking any medicines regularly, to prevent any allergic reaction with other medicines. Do not cover the area being treated with Acivir with a bandage, as this may increase absorption of this medicine and increase the side effects. Do not use more than what is recommended to relieve your symptoms faster. Using more than what is advised will only increase the side effects. Let your doctor know if you are planning to conceive. Pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should use Acivir only if prescribed by the doctor.
Is Acivir effective?
Acivir is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Acivir too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.
How to use Acivir?
Before using Acivir, clean and dry the affected area. Gently and thoroughly massage it into the skin. Be careful not to get the medication in your eyes or mouth. If Acivir gets in your eyes accidentally, wash with plenty of water and call your doctor if your eyes are irritated.
What should I do if I forget to use Acivir?
If you forget to use Acivir, do not worry and continue using Acivir as soon as you remember. However, if you are not sure and have any other doubts, please consult your doctor.
Is Acivir safe?
Acivir is safe if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Use it exactly as directed and do not skip any dose. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and let your doctor know if any of the side effects bother you.
What if you forget to take Acivir?
If you miss a dose of Acivir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Acivir Cream Reviews
Acivir is an antiviral medicine which helps in treating skin infections caused by Herpes simplex virus such as herpes labialis. It prevents the multiplication of the virus in skin cells and therefore helps in clearing the skin infection.
Acivir is for external use only. You should use it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. The affected area should be clean and dry before application of the ointment. You must wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying this medicine. Do not touch the sores unnecessarily with your hands or towel, to avoid spreading the infection.
Some common side effects include burning, irritation, itching and redness of the skin, at the site of application. Please consult your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Do not use it in the eyes, mouth, nose or vagina as it may cause irritation. If accidental exposure occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
How Acivir Cream Works
Acivir is an antiviral medication which treats skin infections caused by Herpes simplex virus. It works by preventing the multiplication of virus in the skin cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your skin infection.
How to Use Acivir Cream
This medicine is for external use only. Use it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Clean and dry the affected area and apply the cream. Wash your hands after applying, unless hands are the affected area.
Benefits of Acivir Cream
- In Herpes labialis: Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores, is a viral infection that primarily affects the lip. Symptoms typically include a burning pain followed by small blisters or sores. Acivir can speed up healing of herpes labialis and also prevent recurrence of the sores. Keep using this medicine as prescribed by the doctor to get maximum benefit.
Uses of Acivir Cream
- Herpes labialis
Acivir Cream Side Effects
Safety Tips
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Information regarding the use of Acivir during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Acivir is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Quick Tips
- Do not use it in the eyes, mouth, nose or vagina as it may cause irritation. If accidental exposure occurs, rinse immediately with plenty of water.
- Do not touch the sores unnecessarily with your hands or towel, to avoid spreading the infection.
- Treatment should be started as early as possible following onset of signs and symptoms.
- Apply it thinly to affected area five times a day, or as suggested by your doctor.
- Acivir helps treat recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores).
- Inform your doctor if your symptoms have not improved after 10 days of treatment.
References
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 18-22.
- Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1594-1600.
- Medscape. Acyclovir.
- Acyclovir [Prescribing Information]. Ontario, Canada: GlaxoSmithKline; 2014.
- Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 846-47.