Health Encyclopedia > Drug Interaction by Drug Name > Acyclovir Oral

Acyclovir Oral

Brand Name: Zovirax® Oral

Acyclovir Oral Information

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat shingles, genital herpes, and chickenpox.

Summary of Interactions with Vitamins, Herbs, and Foods
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

May be Beneficial: Supportive interaction—Taking these supplements may support or otherwise help your medication work better.	Citrus root bark* Flavonoids* Geum japonicum* Rhus javanica* Syzygium aromaticum* Terminalia chebula* Tripterygium wilfordii*
Depletion or interference	None known
Side effect reduction/prevention	None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability	None known
Adverse interaction	None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Acyclovir Oral Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Flavonoids
The flavonoids quercetin, quercitrin, and apigenin enhanced the antiviral activity of acyclovir in test tube studies.¹ Controlled research is needed to determine whether taking quercetin or other flavonoid supplements would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Acyclovir Oral Interactions with Herbs

Citrus species
The alkaloid citrusinine-1 from the root bark of citrus plants has been shown to enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.² Further research is needed to determine whether taking citrus root bark would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Tripterygium wilfordii
Test tube studies show that triptofordin C-2 increases the antiviral activity of acyclovir against the herpes virus.³ Controlled human research is needed to determine whether taking tripterygium would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

Other Herbs
Animal studies have shown that other herbs, including Geum japonicum, Rhus javanica, Syzygium aromaticum, and Terminalia chebula enhance the antiviral activity of acyclovir.⁴ Controlled human studies are needed to determine whether taking these herbs would increase the effectiveness of acyclovir in humans.

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Medication Reviews & Side Effects for Acyclovir Oral

Write an online review of Acyclovir Oral

Review Date: 4/8/2008
Medication: Acyclovir Oral -

- Very Good
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken: More than 1 year
Strength: 400 mg. X 2 times per day
Side Effects: Dry Mouth, Dry Skin, Gave Me Blotchy Skin
Other Products Taken:

I take Acyclovir for Ocular Herpes and have been on this drug for 2 yrs. It seems as soon as I stop taking it I have a recurrence of ocular herpes.

Anonymous
Florida, USA

Review Date: 4/9/2008
Medication: Acyclovir Oral -

- Very Good
Medication Type: Generic
Length Taken:
Strength: X 0 times per day
Other Products Taken:

From the use of this medication I occured renal failure.

Anonymous
Israel

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over-the-counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. The "reviews" listed for any medical condition, prescription drug, condition or symtpom is provided specifically from eVitamins and is not associated with healthnotes.