Prices from £19.95
In stock. Simply fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a suitable treatment. How to Order
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Aciclovir 400mg tablets are used to treat genital herpes outbreaks. They can be taken to treat an acute genital herpes outbreak or as a preventative treatment if you suffer from recurrent outbreaks.
To place an order, fill in our brief questionnaire and select your preferred treatment. Our doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.
Prices
1st outbreak - 1 course / 30 tablet(s) - £24.95
Repeat outbreak - 1 short course / 12 tablet(s) - £19.95
Repeat outbreak - 2 short courses / 24 tablet(s) - £24.95
Repeat outbreak - 3 short courses / 36 tablet(s) - £29.95
Repeat outbreak - 1 long course / 15 tablet(s) - £19.95
Repeat outbreak - 2 long courses / 30 tablet(s) - £24.95
Repeat outbreak - 3 long courses / 45 tablet(s) - £29.95
3 month course / 168 tablet(s) - £49.00
About Aciclovir
How are aciclovir tablets taken?
You need to take each aciclovir tablet with plenty of water. You can take it with or without food, whichever you prefer. If you are having trouble swallowing the tablet, you can disperse it in a glass of water and drink it.
Which dosage do I need to take?
The exact dosage you require depends on your general health, your age and whether you are using Aciclovir to treat a current outbreak or prevent them from happening.
There are two options for treating an outbreak that has already started:
- a high dose, 2 day course of treatment
- a 5 day course
For the 2 day course you take two 400mg tablets, 3 times a day for 2 days.
For the 5 day course you take one 400mg tablet, 3 times a day for 5 days.
Both treatments are equally effective, but if you experience side effects, these might be more likely with the high dose course.
The treatment is also different if this is the first time you have ever had an outbreak. In this case you might need to take a longer course of treatment - one 400mg, 3 times a day for up to 10 days.
If you are taking aciclovir as a preventative measure you need to take 2 tablets per day over a longer period of time (usually 6 to 12 months). Depending on the success of your therapy you may need to continue the treatment over several weeks or even months.
Common aciclovir side effects
These side effects affect 1 in 10 users:
- Nausea and being sick
- Diarrhoea and stomach pain
- Itchy skin rashes
- Tiredness
- Fever
- Sensitivity to artificial light
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Aciclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2). Aciclovir is a prescription only medication, which can be taken to treat an acute herpes outbreak or prevent genital herpes episodes recurring. Dosage and duration of the treatment depend on whether you are taking aciclovir as a preventative measure or to treat acute symptoms. Once you have been infected with herpes, the virus will remain in your body for the rest of your life. However, aciclovir can help you live with the condition by reducing or preventing outbreaks.
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Aciclovir is an antiviral medication. It inhibits a particular enzyme involved in the virus’s reproduction, thus preventing it from multiplying. As a result, your immune system is able to contain the virus and fight the infection. Aciclovir is also used to treat cold sores (caused by herpes simplex HSVI), chicken pox and shingles (also known as herpes zoster). Zava only prescribes aciclovir as treatment for genital herpes and cold sores.
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Prior to beginning a course of aciclovir, you should take the time to read the patient leaflet carefully. During treatment it is important to drink plenty of water, as aciclovir increases your risk of dehydration. The higher the dosage, the more important it is that you watch out for symptoms of dehydration.
Aciclovir can cause drowsiness in some patients. Make sure you do not operate any machinery or drive a car while feeling sleepy under the influence of aciclovir.
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There is little information on how aciclovir affects babies during pregnancy or breastfeeding. If you are suffering from genital herpes during pregnancy or after birth, please consult your GP. Please note, that Zava is not able to treat pregnant women.
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Unlike bacterial infections, viral infections can be impossible to eradicate entirely. Once you carry the herpes simplex virus you may suffer recurring outbreaks, especially if your immune system is weakened. This does not mean that you will forever be dealing with herpes symptoms, it just means that the condition may return. If you repeatedly encounter recurrent bouts, you may need to take aciclovir to prevent them. This is the case if you suffer more than 6 outbreaks in 12 months or if your outbreaks are less frequent but very severe. You should also try to live as healthily as possible to maintain a healthy immune system.
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If you are suffering from kidney disease, you must consult your GP prior to taking aciclovir tablets. Patients with a reduced kidney function require a lower dosage for treating herpes outbreaks. Your doctor will be able to tell whether the benefits of taking aciclovir outweigh the risks in your case and which dosage to take.
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You should always follow your doctor’s instructions with regards to the treatment duration. It’s important that you finish your course, especially if you’re treating an acute outbreak (otherwise the symptoms are likely to return).
If you’re taking suppression treatment to prevent outbreaks and would like to try stopping the treatment, you can do so. Usually it’s advised to take the treatment for at least 6 to 12 months before stopping, to allow the medication time to suppress the virus. It’s possible to have an outbreak straight away after stopping, so you may wish to have some treatment to hand so that you can start taking it as soon as you notice symptoms.
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The active ingredient in aciclovir tablets is aciclovir. Zava normally prescribes tablets with a dosage of 400mg aciclovir. Other ingredients may include lactose, magnesium stearate, polyvidone, E132, E460, sodium starch glycollate, E172 and colloidal anhydrous silica.
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These side effects affect less than 1 in 100 users
- hives
- hair loss
- red patches on arms and hands
- blisters and ulcers
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These side effects affect less than 1 in 1000 users
- increase of particular liver enzymes
- increase in the blood levels of urea and creatinine
- impaired kidney function
- drowsiness and confusion
- hallucinations
- convulsions
- coma
- anxiety and agitation
- involuntary shaking
- coordination difficulties
- difficulty speaking
Very rare side effects include hepatitis, anaemia and other disorders affecting your blood. Please read the patient leaflet for a full list of side effects and consult a doctor if you have any questions.
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Speak to your GP before taking aciclovir if you are taking or have recently taken:
- mycophenolate mofetil
- cimetidine (used to treat gout)
- ciclosporin (part of immunosuppressant treatment)
- theophylline
- zidovudine
Dr Kathryn Basford is a qualified GP who works as a GP in London, as well as with Zava. She graduated from the University of Manchester and completed her GP training through Whipps Cross Hospital in London.
Meet our doctorsLast reviewed: 26 Feb 2019
GMC: 6149137
GMC: 6149061
GMC: 7155722
You can treat genital herpes two ways. One treatment option is for when you experience an individual outbreak (acute therapy) and the other is treatment for when you need to avoid regular outbreaks (suppressive). Zava offers both types of treatment through a discreet, convenient service.
