If you suffer from chronic cold sores or genital herpes, Acyclovir can be effective in reducing the severity of symptoms. It can also prevent future outbreaks, which can be especially helpful to someone who has a chronic immune disease such as HIV. Acyclovir is also used in the treatment of both chicken pox and shingles.

Who Should Take Acyclovir

• Adults or children age 2 and older who have an outbreak of HSV-1 or HSV-2 herpes virus infection (i.e., genital or oral herpes)
• Adults with genital herpes who want to prevent future outbreaks
• Adults who are HIV positive and who want to protect themselves against future herpes infections
• Adults who have shingles, which is caused by the same type of herpes virus that causes chicken pox
• Adult or children age 2 and older who have chicken pox

Who Shouldn’t Take Acyclovir

If you are breastfeeding, pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor before starting to use Acyclovir. Its benefits probably outweigh the risks, but it is best to make this decision with a health care professional, not on your own.

Acyclovir is safe for children age 2 and older.

If you allergic to Acyclovir, you should not take it.