Aciclovir sodium dihydrate
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Aciclovir Viatris.
It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Aciclovir Viatris against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Aciclovir Viatris is used for
Aciclovir sodium is used to treat number of different conditions caused by viruses, such as shingles and herpes, especially in patients who have reduced immunity.
Aciclovir Viatris belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals.
Aciclovir Viatris works by preventing the multiplication of the virus which is causing the condition.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription. It should only be given to you under the supervision of medical professionals.
Aciclovir Viatris is not addictive.
Before you take Aciclovir Viatris
When you must not take it
Do not take Aciclovir Viatris if you have an allergy to:
- aciclovir
- any of the other ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet under the product description
- valciclovir
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include
- asthma
- wheezing or shortness breath
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing or fainting
- rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not give Aciclovir Viatris to a child under the age of one years. Safety and effectiveness of Aciclovir Viatris in children younger than one years have not been established.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have had any other health problems including:
- any condition affecting your nervous system
- hypoxia
- liver or kidney problems
- irregular electrolyte levels
- dehydration
- low blood pressure.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Like most medicines, Aciclovir Viatris is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breast-feed. Aciclovir Viatris passes into breast milk and therefore there is a possibility that the breast-fed baby may be affected. Aciclovir Viatris is not recommended for use while breast-feeding. Your doctor will discuss the risk and benefits of using Aciclovir Viatris when breastfeeding.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Aciclovir Viatris.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and may interfere with Aciclovir Viatris. These include:
- medicines used to treat gout such as probenecid.
- medicines used to treat ulcer such as cimetidine.
- Mycophenolate mofetil, ciclosporin or tacrolimus
- Diuretics or fluid tablet
- Interferon
- Methotrexate.
These medicines may be affected by Aciclovir Viatris or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what to do if you are using any of these medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
How to take Aciclovir Viatris
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
How much to take
The amount you will be given will be specific to your age, weight, general health and underlying conditions.
How to take it
Aciclovir Viatris is given by infusion into a vein over a period for at least an hour. It is not to be given by mouth.
How long to take it
The duration of treatment is dependent on the condition that is being treated.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at the nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Aciclovir Viatris.
Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Your prescribing doctor has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.
Symptoms of an overdose may include nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, confusion, agitation, drowsiness, hallucinations, tremors or convulsions.
You will be closely monitored whilst you are being treated with this medicine. Should any symptoms of an overdose occur your doctor would manage them.
While you are taking Aciclovir Viatris
Things you must do
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Aciclovir Viatris.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine. It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
If you become pregnant while taking this medicine, tell your doctor immediately.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine. It may interfere with the results of some tests.
If the symptoms of your illness do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, tell your doctor or nurse.
Drink plenty of water If you cannot drink, your doctor will ensure that you receive plenty of fluids.
Keep all of your doctor’s appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Things you must not do
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Aciclovir Viatris affects you. This medicine may cause headache, dizziness, ataxia, encephalopathy, somnolence, confusion, tremor, hallucination, psychosis, convulsion and coma in some people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine. If you drink alcohol, symptoms such as headache or dizziness may be worse.
If you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint when getting out of bed or standing up, get up slowly. Standing up slowly, especially when you get up from bed or chairs, will help your body get used to the change in position and blood pressure. If this problem continues or gets worse, talk to your doctor.
Side effects
Tell your doctor, nurse or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Aciclovir Viatris.
This medicine helps most people with viral infection caused by shingles and herpes, but it may have unwanted side effects in some people.
All medicines can have side effects.
Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor or nurse if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- pain and swelling at the injection site
- nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting
- skin rash, increased sensitivity of the skin to the sun or itchiness.
These side effects are usually mild.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- headache, light-headedness or dizziness especially if you get up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- extreme or unusual tiredness, drowsiness, unsteadiness when walking or shaking
- confusion, agitation, hallucinations or convulsions
- fever
- yellowing of the eyes or skin, also called jaundice
- lumpy rash (hives)
- wheezing, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- swelling of the face, lips or tongue which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing
- bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- reduced or loss of sensation, especially in the hands or feet
- diarrhoea or stomach pain
- discoloured or blood in the urine
- sweating
- passing less urine than is normal for you.
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
These side effects are very rare.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
After using Aciclovir Viatris
Storage
Aciclovir Viatris will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward.
Stored in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Protect from moisture.
Disposal
Aciclovir Viatris is intended for single patient use only. Any remaining content should be discarded.
Product description
What it looks like
Aciclovir Viatris is supplied in colourless glass vial containing a white to off white lyophilized powder or cake.
Ingredients
Aciclovir Viatris 250 mg and 500 mg contains Aciclovir sodium dihydrate as the active ingredient.
It contains no inactive ingredients.
Supplier
Aciclovir Viatris is supplied in Australia by:
Alphapharm Pty Limited trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
www.viatris.com.au
Australian registration numbers:
Aciclovir Viatris 250 mg: AUST R 233649
Aciclovir Viatris 500 mg: AUST R 233648
This leaflet was prepared on 09 February 2023.
Aciclovir Viatris_cmiFeb23/00
Published by MIMS March 2023