ACYCLOVIR (acyclovir)

There are 0 contraindications.

There are 0 severe contraindications.

There are 1 moderate contraindications. Clinically significant contraindication, where the condition can be managed or treated before the drug may be given safely.

Moderate List
No disease contraindications

There are 2 severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
None.	None.

Rare/Very Rare
Anaphylaxis Angioedema

There are 8 less severe adverse reactions.

More Frequent	Less Frequent
Abnormal desquamation Dry skin Skin irritation Stinging of skin	Cheilosis Pruritus of skin

Rare/Very Rare
Contact dermatitis Eczema

Acyclovir has not been shown to be teratogenic in standard tests following subcutaneous administration in rats and rabbits, IV administration in rabbits, and oral administration in mice. However, in nonstandard tests in rats, fetal abnormalities, principally involving the head and tail, were observed at higher subcutaneous acyclovir dosages, which also were associated with maternal toxicity. The drug crosses the placenta in humans following oral or IV administration. There are no adequate and controlled studies to date using acyclovir in pregnant women, and the drug should be used during pregnancy only when the potential benefits justify the possible risks to the fetus.

Although it is not known whether acyclovir is distributed into milk following topical application, the drug is distributed into milk following oral or IV administration. Following oral administration of acyclovir in 2 nursing women, milk acyclovir concentrations were 0.6-4.1

times the simultaneous maternal plasma drug concentrations. Therefore, acyclovir ointment and cream should be used with caution in nursing women. Women who have active herpetic lesions near or on the breast should avoid nursing.

No enhanced Geriatric Use information available for this drug.