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What should I do if I forget a dose?
Iit is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of either the ointment or oral medication to make up for a missed one.
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Side Effects
This medication may cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness or weakness. These effects should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medicat
ion. If they persist or become worse, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, leg pain, sore throat, skin rash, change in the amount of uri
ne. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. I
f you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
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Other medical problems
Pregnancy¡XTopical acyclovir has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies using mice, rats, or rabbits,
xcept when given in very high doses in a study using rats.
Breast-feeding¡XIt is not known whether topical acyclovir passes into the breast milk. However, acyclovir ointment has not been repo
ted to cause problems in nursing babies, even though small amounts of topical acyclovir are absorbed through the mother's skin and mucous membranes. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in sm
all amounts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding.
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Special warnings about this medication
If you are or may be pregnant, check with your doctor for instructions on using this medicine during pregnancy.
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How should this medicine be used?
Acyclovir comes as an ointment for use on the skin and as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist
to explain any part you do not understand. Take acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication as soon as possi
ble after symptoms appear.
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Other Medicines
It is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU) or
- Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
- Combination pa
in medicine containing acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g., Excedrin) or other salicylates or
- Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
- Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with long-term use) or
-
Gold salts (medicine for arthritis) or
- Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, or
- Lithium (e.g., Lithane) or
- Methotrexate (Mexate) or
- Other medicine for infection
or
- Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine) or
- Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
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