Apo Acyclovir

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes Apo Acyclovir. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of Apo Acyclovir with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• Diarrhea
• dizziness
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• hair loss
• headache
• increased sensitivity to sun (photosensitivity)
• lack of energy
• nausea
• skin rash
• tingling, pricking, or numbness
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• weakness

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• agitation
• confusion
• Fever
• hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t really there)
• lack of coordination
• shortness of breath
• signs of clotting problems (e.g., unusual nosebleeds, bruising, blood in urine, coughing blood,  bleeding gums, cuts that don’t stop bleeding)
• signs of kidney failure (e.g., side pain between ribs and hip, decreased urine production, swelling, fatigue, abdominal pain)
• signs of liver problems (e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools)

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• symptoms of a serious allergic reaction (such as swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat; skin rash; Hives; or difficulty breathing)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking Apo Acyclovir.

200 mg
Each blue, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet engraved "APO" over "200" on one side contains 200 mg of acyclovir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; colouring agent: FD&C Blue No. 2 (Indigotine Aluminum Lake).

400 mg
Each pink, round, flat-faced, bevelled-edge tablet engraved "APO" over "400" on one side contains 400 mg of acyclovir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; colouring agent: red ferric oxide (Orange Shade No. 34690).

800 mg
Each blue, biconvex, oval, scored, compressed tablet engraved "APO 800" on one side contains 800 mg of acyclovir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose; colouring agent: FD&C Blue No. 2 (indigotine Aluminum Lake) and FD&C Blue No. 1 (Brilliant Blue FCF Aluminum Lake).

Do not take acyclovir if you are allergic to acyclovir, Valacyclovir, or any of the ingredients of the medication.

There may be an interaction between acyclovir and any of the following:

• foscarnet
• mycophenolate
• tenofovir
• Tizanidine
• varicella virus (shingles) vaccine
• zidovudine
• zoster (chicken pox) vaccine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Acyclovir may affect the mental or physical abilities needed to drive or operate machinery. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous tasks until you have determined how Apo Acyclovir affects you.

Genital herpes: To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, wash your hands immediately after touching your skin sores. You should avoid intimate contact when live lesions are visible on your skin. The herpes virus can still be spread even when you do not have blisters or sores.

Kidney function: Kidney Disease or reduced kidney function may cause Apo Acyclovir to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Apo Acyclovir may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Apo Acyclovir, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

People with reduced kidney function generally require a lower dose of Apo Acyclovir.

Long-term use: The effect of long-term use of Apo Acyclovir has not been established. Your doctor may periodically stop your medication to reassess your need for continuous treatment.

Pregnancy: Apo Acyclovir is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless your doctor has determined that the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Apo Acyclovir, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: Apo Acyclovir passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking acyclovir, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Apo Acyclovir have not been established for children less than 2 years of age.

Seniors: Seniors are more likely to have reduced kidney function and therefore are at greater risk of experiencing the side effects of acyclovir. Lower doses may be needed.