Lovir (Aciclovir) 400mg

Lovir general information

What is Lovir used for?

Lovir 400mg tablets are used to treat infections of the skin and mucous membranes caused by herpes virus, including initial and recurrent genital herpes, cold sores and shingles (herpes zoster), to relieve painful symptoms and help heal blisters and sores caused by the infection. Lovir tablets 400mg are used for the suppression (prevention of recurrences) of recurrent herpes simplex infections in people with an active immune system and for prevention (prophylaxis) of herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients. Lovir 400mg tablets are also used to prevent infection with other viruses in the herpes group of viruses in people who are immunocompromised, such as Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection following immunosuppression for a bone marrow transplant. In people with advanced HIV infection and very low white cell counts (CD4 < 50/microL) Lovir 400mg tablets can be used, in conjunction with another antiviral drug to help with the management severe AIDS.

How does Lovir work?

Lovir 400mg tablets contain aciclovir, an antiviral agent which is highly active against both types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-I, that causes cold sores and HSV-II that causes genital herpes and also against the closely related varicella zoster herpes virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. Aciclovir inhibits the action of a viral enzyme (DNA polymerase), blocking viral DNA synthesis without affecting normal cellular processes. This prevents the virus replicating and therefore stops the growth and spread of the virus, relieving symptoms of the infection and helping the body to fight off the infection. Lovir tablets 400mg will not cure a herpes infection as the virus can lie dormant in infected cells until reactivated when immunity is low by stress, other illness or even exposure to sunlight, causing new infections like cold sores and shingles, but it does reduce pain and help the sores caused by the infection to heal faster.

What does Lovir contain?

Lovir tablets 400mg contain aciclovir, an antiviral agent an antiviral agent used to treat infection with herpes simplex. They also contain microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, pregelatinised maize starch, magnesium stearate and colloidal anhydrous silica.

What Lovir doses are available?

Lovir tablets are available online from Inhouse Pharmacy in three doses:

• 200mg tablets
• 400mg tablets
• 800mg tablets

Treating herpes infection with Lovir

Lovir tablets 400mg contain aciclovir, an antiviral agent which is highly active against both types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-I, that causes cold sores and HSV-II that causes genital herpes and also against the closely related varicella zoster herpes virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. HSV Infections are characterised by blisters which form in the mucous membranes of the mouth, lips or genitals and crust over to form a scab as they heal. Lovir tablets 400mg stops the virus in infected cells from being able to replicate and spread, helping to relieve symptoms and heal the blisters.

Treating shingles with Lovir

Lovir 400mg tablets contain aciclovir, an antiviral agent which is highly active against both types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-I, that causes cold sores and HSV-II that causes genital herpes, and also against the closely related varicella zoster herpes virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. Herpes zoster or shingles is caused by the same type of herpes virus that causes the common childhood infection chicken pox (varicella). The blisters associated with chicken pox are characteristic of the initial infection with varicella zoster virus (of the herpes family) which migrate to nerve cells and remain dormant (not replicating) once chicken pox blisters have gone. Years later, the virus can be activated by stress, other illness or even exposure to sunlight, causing the virus to travel down the nerve and infect the skin again, replicating and causing the painful rash of blisters associated with shingles as well as nerve pain or post-herpetic neuralgia. Lovir tablets 400mg can help reduce the duration and severity of acute symptoms and rash as well as reduce zoster-associated pain.

Lovir for genital herpes

Lovir tablets 400mg contain aciclovir, an antiviral agent which is highly active against both types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-I, that causes cold sores and HSV-II that causes genital herpes, although HSV-I can also cause genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted disease characterised by painful sores and blisters around the genital areas. Genital herpes can recur several times, particularly if your immune system is low or compromised. Lovir tablets 400mg can be used to treat an initial infection of genital herpes to reduce painful symptoms; and is also used for suppression to prevent the infection recurring.

What are the side effects of Lovir?

The most commonly reported side effects when using Lovir tablets 400mg include: skin rash, gastric upset, headache, dizziness and change in liver function tests, especially with long term therapy. Less common side effects include mild reversible neurological reactions and fatigue.

When should Lovir not be used?

You should not use Lovir tablets 400mg if you:

• are allergic to aciclovir or any ingredients in Lovir 400
• are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney disease, liver disease any blood condition or conditions affecting your brain
• taking other medication that interacts with Lovir, including probenecid (a treatment for gout) or diuretics for fluid retention

How should Lovir be taken?

You should take your Lovir tablets 400mg with a glass of water with or without food and the usual dose is every 6 hours (4-5 times a day), depending on what you are being treated for and your doctors recommendations. Treatment with should begin as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters). Your course of treatment may last for 5 10 days for an initial infection or several months depending on your condition and whether you are taking Lovir 400mg tablets for initial or recurrent infection or for prevention.

How long should you take Lovir?

You should take your Lovir 400mg tablets for as long and as often as your doctor recommends, which will depend on the condition you are being treated for. Your course of treatment may last for 5 10 days for an initial infection or several months depending on your condition and whether you are taking Lovir tablets 400mg for initial or recurrent infection or for prevention.

Missed dose of Lovir

If you miss a dose of Lovir tablets 400mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Lovir be stored?

You should keep your Lovir 400mg tablets in their pack until use. Store in a cool, dark and dry place where the temperature stays below 25°.

Where can you buy acyclovir?

Aciclovir, also spelt acyclovir, is an antiviral agent which is highly active against both types of herpes simplex virus, HSV-I, that causes cold sores and HSV-II that causes genital herpes and also against the closely related varicella zoster herpes virus that causes chicken pox and shingles. You can buy acyclovir (also spelt aciclovir) online at Inhouse Pharmacy.