Acivir 500 Infusion

How to use Acivir 500 Infusion

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self-administer.

How Medicine Works

Acivir 500 Infusion is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

Expert Advice

• It is given by slow intravenous (I.V.) infusion over a 1-hour period to avoid damage to kidneys.
• 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.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• Will I get cured after taking Acivir 500 Infusion for shingles?

  Acivir 500 Infusion 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.

• How is Acivir 500 Infusion administered?

  Acivir 500 Infusion should be administered under the supervision of a trained healthcare professional or a doctor only and should not be self-administered. It is given by slow intravenous (I.V) infusion over a one hour period to avoid damage to kidneys. The dose will depend on the condition you are being treated for and will be decided by your doctor. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit from Acivir 500 Infusion.

• Does Acivir 500 Infusion prevent transmission of infection to others?

  No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Acivir 500 Infusion. 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.

• What are the serious side effects of Acivir 500 Infusion?

  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.

• Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Acivir 500 Infusion?

  Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Acivir 500 Infusion. 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 Acivir 500 Infusion, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.

• What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Acivir 500 Infusion accidentally?

  Accidental, repeated overdoses of oral Acivir 500 Infusion over several days have resulted in nausea, vomiting, confusion and headache. Consult your doctor in case of overdose.

• Can I get resistant to Acivir 500 Infusion treatment?

  Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with an impaired immunity have reported resistance to Acivir 500 Infusion. If you are not responding to Acivir 500 Infusion, the possibility of drug resistance should be checked.

• Is hair loss caused due to Acivir 500 Infusion permanent?

  Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Acivir 500 Infusion. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.