Lovir 200mg Tablet (5'S)

Prescription
Prescription Required: Consult the Doctor & Get Your ePrescription

Lovir 200mg Tablet should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking it. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, 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. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.

Some side effects of this medicine include headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Inform your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.


Basic Information

Mechanism Of Action

Acyclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase by acting as an analog to deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP). Incorporation of acyclovir triphosphate into DNA results in chain termination since the absence of a 3' hydroxyl group prevents the attachment of additional nucleosides.

Pharmacokinets

Pharmacokinetics: Acyclovir is slowly and poorly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and bioavailability decreases with increasing dose. Acyclovir is widely distributed into tissues and body fluids. Plasma protein binding is relatively low at 9 to 24%.


Side Effects

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Lovir

Headache

Dizziness

Vomiting

Nausea

Fatigue

Fever

Stomach pain

Diarrhea

Skin rash

Photophobia

Contra Indications

The only absolute contraindication to acyclovir is hypersensitivity. Cautions include renal failure/impairment, immunocompromised host, potential risk of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)).


Pregnancy Related Information

Lovir 200mg Tablet is generally considered safe to use during pregnancy. Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effects to the developing baby; however, there are limited human studies.


Product And Alcohol Interaction

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Lovir 200mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.


Breast Feeding Related Information

Lovir 200mg Tablet is safe to use during breastfeeding. Human studies suggest that the drug does not pass into the breastmilk in a significant amount and is not harmful to the baby.

Indications

Acyclovir is a medication used to manage and treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). It is FDA approved to treat genital herpes and HSV encephalitis. Some off-label uses include cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. It is in the antiviral class of medications.


Interactions

Some products that may interact with this drug include: other drugs that may cause kidney problems (including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs-NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen). Acyclovir is very similar to valacyclovir. Do not use medications containing valacyclovir while using acyclovir.


Typical Dosage

Do not chew, crush or break it. Lovir 200mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.

Storage Requirements

Store below 30°C


Effects Of Missed Dosage

If you miss a dose of Lovir 200mg Tablet, 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.


Effects Of Overdose

Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Expert Advice

Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.

Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.

If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.

Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

How To Use

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Lovir 200mg Tablet may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.


FAQs

Q. Will I get cured after taking Lovir 200mg Tablet for shingles?

Lovir 200mg Tablet is an antiviral medicine effective against herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection. It does not remove the viruses from the body but prevents the viruses from dividing and spreading.

Q. Does Lovir 200mg Tablet prevent transmission of infection to others?

No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Lovir 200mg Tablet. Herpes infections are contagious, so avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching your eyes after touching an infected area. Wash your hands frequently to prevent transmitting the infection to others. You should practice safe sex by using condoms. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.

Q. What are the serious side effects of Lovir 200mg Tablet?

Serious side effects are rare, but if you experience them, you should seek medical advice right away. These rare side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.

Q. Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Lovir 200mg Tablet?

Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Lovir 200mg Tablet. The reason being, their kidneys do not flush the drug out of their system as quickly as a younger person’s kidneys would do. Elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Lovir 200mg Tablet, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.