What is acyclovir

Acyclovir or Zovirax, as it is commonly known is an antiviral medication used to treat cold sores and genital herpes caused by the herpes virus. It is also prescribed to treat chickenpox and shingles due to the related herpes virus. The FDA approved its use in 1984.Unfortunately, it does not cure the disease and infections can return at a later time. Acyclovir is prescribed as a cream or ointment (topical use), oral tablets, or intravenous liquid to relieve pain, speed recovery, and prevent viral shedding. More recently, acyclovir has been used in combination with AZT, to treat AIDS patients.

Is valacyclovir the same as acyclovir?

Valacyclovir is very similar to acyclovir and is often used to treat the same types of infections. A common name for it is Valtrex. Since valacyclovir is changed to acyclovir once in the woman's body, the effects on the pregnancy and breastfeeding are thought to be the same.

I take acyclovir as needed to treat herpes. Should I stop using it before I try to get pregnant?

No. You should not stop taking any medications without first talking with your doctor. As with any medication that is taken during pregnancy, the benefits to the mother and baby should outweigh the possible risks when deciding whether to continue its use.

Can acyclovir use by my partner or myself make it more difficult for me to become pregnant?

In animal studies, high doses of acyclovir affected sperm production. A follow-up study in 20 men did not find lower sperm production when they were given high doses for six months. There have not been any studies that looked at the effect of acyclovir on female reproduction. At this point, it does not appear to have a negative effect.

I have been taking acyclovir for genital herpes and justfound out that I am pregnant. Could it cause birth defects during the first trimester?

The most common use for acyclovir is to treat genital herpes. Up to half of all acyclovir users are women of

childbearing age and many have become pregnant while taking the drug. An oral medication or one taken

intravenously can enter the baby's body and has been found in the umbilical cord and amniotic fluid. A

pregnancy registry was started by the manufacturer, Glaxo Wellcome Co. and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to look at the effects of acyclovir on the developing baby. Of the 311 births after first trimester exposure to acyclovir, no increase in birth defects beyond the general population was noted.

Is there a concern for birth defects if my partner was taking acyclovir when I became pregnant?

Since acyclovir does not cause changes in the genetic material of the sperm, your partner's use of acyclovir is unlikely to increase the risk for birth defects.

Can I use acyclovir during my second or third trimester?

Based on the manufacturer's pregnancy registry and other animal studies, it appears that acyclovir use in the

second and third trimesters of pregnancy do not increase the risks to the developing baby. Of the 69 births after second trimester exposures to acyclovir and of the 106 births after third trimester exposure, no increase in birth defects was noted. Despite the small numbers from eachgroup, these results are reassuring.

I have a cold sore on my lip, could acyclovir ointmentcause birth defects?

Topical use of acyclovir ointment has not been wellstudied but is not suspected of causing birth defects

because it is not easily absorbed through the skin.

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