Aciclovir Tablets

Aciclovir Tablets

Aciclovir tablets can be used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes symptoms or used to suppress outbreaks from occuring.

In stock
from £20.00

Product Details

Aciclovir is a prescription medication for genital herpes. It is used to treat flare ups, and can also be used as suppression treatment to stop flare ups from happening. If you have never been diagnosed with herpes, our doctor will ask you to provide a photograph of the affected area for the purpose of diagnosis.

If you are looking for oral herpes treatment please use our cold sore service.

Notice: When providing a generic product (non-branded), we use a range of manufacturers. Due to this, your medication may look different to what’s pictured.

Dr Simran Deo Medical Editor

Medically reviewed by

Dr Simran Deo

Last reviewed: 28 Feb 2020

Aciclovir prices

Pack Size Price
400 mg - 15 tablet(s) - Single course £20.00
400 mg - 30 tablet(s) - First Ever Outbreak £25.00
400 mg - 30 tablet(s) - Two courses £25.00
400 mg - 45 tablet(s) - Three courses £30.00
400 mg - 168 tablet(s) - Daily Suppression Treatment £49.00

How it Works

About Aciclovir Tablets for Genital Herpes

About Aciclovir

What is aciclovir?

Aciclovir (or "acyclovir") is an antiviral medication for genital herpes. It can be taken to treat or prevent genital herpes outbreaks and is a prescription-only treatment. Although there is no cure for herpes and the virus will remain in your body, taking aciclovir can stop or reduce the unpleasant symptoms. In order to buy Aciclovir, you need a prescription. When you place an order with us, one of our doctors will review your order and issue a prescription if the medication is suitable for you.

How is aciclovir taken?

Aciclovir tablets can be taken without food but you should drink a glass of water whenever you take a tablet. You should also drink plenty of water during your treatment to minimise the risk of dehydration, as aciclovir can be harmful to the kidneys if you become dehydrated.

Which dosage do I require?

The dosage and duration of your course of aciclovir depends on whether you have herpes symptoms at the moment or whether you are having treatment to prevent recurrent genital herpes outbreaks.

Dosage for an acute outbreak

If you are suffering from an acute herpes outbreak, the doctor will prescribe a 5 day course of three 400mg aciclovir tablets to be taken every day. Please note, product packaging may differ from the image above.

Preventative treatment

If you have had more than six genital herpes outbreaks in the last year or you are struggling with particularly severe symptoms, our doctor may recommend a preventative herpes treatment of two 400mg tablets of aciclovir, to be taken every day for 6-12 months. This may prevent you from getting further outbreaks.

How fast will it work?

How quickly and how well aciclovir works depends on the severity of your symptoms and how soon after you start noticing symptoms you start treatment.

It is best to start taking aciclovir as soon as you notice the first symptoms. In some cases, aciclovir will prevent the development of sores if taken before the first sores have developed.

Once the lesions have developed, aciclovir can prevent further sores from developing and help your body fight the virus. The duration of each herpes flare up varies and an outbreak can last from a few days to a few weeks. You should consult a doctor as soon as you start experiencing the symptoms of an outbreak.

Can I have sex while taking aciclovir?

The herpes virus easily passed on during an active outbreak, but can be passed on at any time. You should avoid having sex until all lesions have healed completely. If you do choose to have sex in the meantime, you should use a condom.

Using a condom will help reduce the risk of transmission. As condoms only cover the penis, but leave other areas of your partner’s skin exposed, there is still a risk that you could transmit the virus, even when using a condom.

Once you carry the virus, there is always a risk that you could pass it on to a partner, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms. It is best to continue using a condom once your lesions have healed to reduce the risk of transmission.

For personalised advice, speak to one of our doctors in a telephone consultation.

Ingredients

What is in an aciclovir tablet?

Every aciclovir tablet contains 400mg of aciclovir (the ‘active ingredient’). Additional ingredients may include lactose, magnesium stearate, polyvidone, E132, sodium starch glycollate, colloidal anhydrous silica, E172 or E460.

If you think that you are allergic to any of these ingredients, consult the doctor before taking the first dose.

Depending on which brand the pharmacy dispenses, your aciclovir medication may be called Zovirax. Zovirax is a brand name of medication, which contains aciclovir.

Aciclovir is also sometimes spelled "acyclovir".

Aciclovir side effects

Common aciclovir side effects

  • nausea and being sick
  • headache
  • diarrhoea
  • stomach pain
  • skin rashes and itching
  • dizziness
  • tiredness

Uncommon side effects

  • sensitivity to sunlight (as well as certain artificial lights and sunbeds)
  • fever

Rare side effects

  • generally feeling unwell
  • drowsiness, confusion or hallucinations
  • increase in certain liver enzymes and bilirubin (the yellow pigment found in bile)
  • kidney problems and kidney failure
  • severe skin rash with blisters, ulcers, flushing and fever
  • peeling and swelling of the skin
  • fits and reduced consciousness
  • hair loss

Very rare side effects

  • hepatitis
  • jaundice
  • changes in the numbers and types of your blood cells (anaemia, leucopenia, thrombocytopenia) which could lead to bruising, bleeding, tiredness or infections

If you experience any of these symptoms you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Always read the patient information leaflet before taking medication.

Warnings and drug interactions

Warnings

Depending on your general health and medical history, aciclovir tablets may not be suitable for you. Do not take aciclovir if you experience:

  • an allergy to aciclovir or one of the ingredients
  • certain conditions affecting the nervous system - you should tell your doctor if you have any neurological problems
  • kidney problems

The risk of kidney problems with aciclovir is increased with dehydration, especially if you’re taking tablets which contain a high dosage. You should drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

Can you take aciclovir while breastfeeding?

There is only limited information on whether aciclovir is safe to use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you experience a bout of herpes during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, visit your doctor to discuss treatment options.

Drug interactions

Aciclovir tablets are known to interact with certain medications, including the following:

  • cimetidine (an antihistamine drug which is used to treat stomach acidity and peptic ulcers) and probenecid (used to treat gout)
  • theophylline (used in the treatment of asthma)
  • zidovudine (an HIV drug)
  • ciclosporin and mycophenolate mofetil (medicines affecting the immune system that are often used in organ transplantation)

Before you begin your treatment with aciclovir, tell the doctor about any prescription and non-prescription medication that you are taking.

Can you take aciclovir with alcohol?

There is no known interaction between alcohol and aciclovir, so drinking alcohol while taking aciclovir should not affect your treatment. You may wish to avoid drinking an excessive amount of alcohol while suffering from a bout of herpes to help your body recover and fight the infection.

About Zovirax

What is Zovirax?

Zovirax is a branded medication which contains aciclovir. Zovirax tablets work in the same way as aciclovir tablets and can be prescribed for suppression or for the treatment of acute episodes.

As most branded medications, Zovirax can be slightly more expensive than the generic medication.

Superdrug Online Doctor provides the generic medication, which is dispensed by one of our pharmacies.

Zovirax tablets

Zovirax tablets are taken in the same way as aciclovir tablets. During treatment for acute symptoms you need to take three 400mg tablets a day. To suppress the virus, you need to take two 400mg tablets per day.

Zovirax can cause the same side effects as aciclovir.

Patient Reviews