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Aciclovir Side Effects

Aciclovir (also written as acyclovir) is an antiviral drug primarily used to treat herpes virus infections, including cold sores, genital herpes, chicken pox, shingles, Epstein-Barr virus and cytemegalovirus. It is marketed under several brand names, including Acivir, Cyclovir, Herpex, Zovir and Zovirax.

  1. Most Common Side Effects of Oral and IV Use

    • According to GlaxoSmithKline's prescribing information for aciclovir, the most common side effects of taking aciclovir orally or intravenously for herpes simplex (genital herpes or cold sores) or chicken pox are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headaches. This occurs in 1-4 percent of people taking it. About 11 percent of people taking aciclovir for herpes zoster (shingles) experience malaise (feeling generally sick, weak, and/or uneasy).

    Less Common Side Effects of Oral Use

    • Less common side effects of taking aciclovir orally or via IV for herpes, chicken pox or shingles include abdominal pain, aggression, agitation, confusion, constipation, dizziness, joint pain, sore throat, swelling of the hands and feet, rash and weakness.

      In high doses, hallucinations have been reported.

    Rare Side Effects of Oral or IV Use

    • Very rarely (in fewer than one tenth of one percent of patients), people using aciclovir orally or via IV have experienced anaphylactic shock, anorexia (severe loss of apetite, or an unwillingness to eat), coma, fatigue, seizures, abnormally low white blood cell count, crystalluria (formation of crystals in the urine), hepatitis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome or Lyell's Syndrome (both are life-threatening conditions that include a severe, blistering rash) or kidney failure leading to death.

      A few people who have immune system disorders have developed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (a serious blood-clotting disorder) after taking aciclovir.

    Intravenous (IV) Side Effects

    • When using aciclovir intravenously, about one percent of users have additional side effects that don't occur with oral use. These side effects include encephalopathy (any of a variety of brain disorders) and pain and irritation at the injection site.

    Topical Side Effects

    • A common side effect of using aciclovir topical creams on the skin is dry or flaking skin or temporary burning or stinging sensations. Side effects that are less common are itching or redness.

      If applied to the eye, a common side effect of acyclovir is mild temporary stinging sensations. Less frequently, it causes allergic reactions and/or superficial punctate keratitis (irritation of the cornea of the eye).

    Warnings

    • If you experience any of these side effects when taking aciclovir, tell your doctor or another qualified medical professional immediately:

      Bowel problems, such as bloody urine or diarrhea, stomach cramps or pain, and decreased urination
      Difficulty breathing or swallowing
      Difficulty speaking
      Fast heartbeat
      Hoarseness
      Heavy bruising or bleeding
      Headache
      Insomnia
      Loss of consciousness
      Mental problems, such as hallucinations, confusion, aggressiveness
      Numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms or legs
      Pale skin
      Seizures
      Skin conditions such as hives, itching, rash or blisters
      Signs of infection, such as fever, sore throat, chills, and/or cough
      Swollen face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
      Temporary paralysis of any part of your body
      Trembling in any part of your body
      Weakness

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