Acyclovir Pills: Five Things
You Should Know

Written by Lizzie De La Cruz
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways

• Acyclovir pills are antiviral medications that can help manage infections like herpes, shingles, and chickenpox by preventing the virus from replicating.
• Pills are often the most convenient option, but topical creams and buccal tablets are available for those who prefer alternatives.
• Mild side effects like nausea, headaches, fatigue, or yeast overgrowth are common but usually pretty manageable.
• Severe side effects are rare but require immediate medical attention, including unusual mental changes, intense fatigue, or skin reactions.
• Staying aware of changes in your body and consulting a licensed medical provider ensures safe, effective treatment and helps support your overall health while on antiviral therapy.

Are you thinking about taking acyclovir pills? Before you start, it’s helpful to know how they work, what your treatment options are, and what side effects you might notice along the way. Acyclovir can be a game-changer for managing viral infections like herpes, shingles, or chickenpox, but like any medication, it’s important to be aware of how it might affect your body.

Here, we’ll cover everything from how acyclovir pills work to mild and serious side effects—including things like yeast infections—so you can feel confident and informed about whether this treatment is right for you.

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

How can acyclovir pills help you?

An acyclovir pill is an antiviral medication that can be used to treat a variety of viral infections, such as herpes, shingles, and chickenpox, by helping to avoid viral replication. Suffering from any of these infections can make daily life extremely difficult—nobody needs that drama.

Acyclovir pills are a relatively simple means of either managing or mitigating conditions, depending on the particular infection you’re dealing with. Plus, acyclovir pills can be really helpful for people of multiple income levels because they are accessible in both generic and name brands.

What are your treatment options?

Before taking an acyclovir pill, you might want to take a look at what other treatment options are available.

Many people find acyclovir pills to be the easiest and most convenient method of treatment for a variety of conditions, but acyclovir is also available as a topical cream or buccal tablets that you may wish to consider if you struggle with swallowing pills.

Mild side effects

After taking an acyclovir pill, you might notice some mild side effects. These are usually not a cause for any serious concern, but it’s good to be aware of them:

• Stomach issues: nausea, diarrhea, or vomiting
• Headaches or fatigue: feeling generally weak or tired
• Body changes that may affect vaginal health: sometimes yeast can overgrow, causing mild itching, burning, or unusual discharge
• General discomfort: feeling a bit off while your body adjusts to the medication

If you notice any yeast infection symptoms, or anything else that worries you, it’s a good idea to check in with a medical provider to get guidance and feel comfortable again.

Severe side effects

However, you will want to get help immediately if you notice any severe side effects after taking an acyclovir pill. You can either contact your medical provider or call 911, depending on the urgency of the situation.

Look out for symptoms, such as unusual mental or behavioral changes, including confusion and seizures, intense fatigue, skin reactions such as hives, and signs that indicate kidney or liver problems.

While these side effects do not impact the majority of acyclovir patients, every individual reacts differently to medication and should keep track of their health carefully.

Can acyclovir cause yeast infections?

While acyclovir itself isn’t known to directly cause yeast infections, taking any medication, especially if it impacts your immune system or gut health, can sometimes create an environment where yeast overgrowth becomes more likely. Symptoms to watch for include itching, burning, unusual discharge, or discomfort during sex.

If you notice these signs, it doesn’t automatically mean the acyclovir caused it, but it’s worth checking in with a medical provider. They can help you identify the cause, recommend safe treatments like prescription antifungal medication, and give tips to support your vaginal and overall health while you’re on antiviral therapy.

Staying aware and addressing changes early can help you feel confident and comfortable while managing a viral infection.

When to consult a licensed medical provider

As always, you should check in with your licensed medical provider before starting the acyclovir pill. Your provider has your personal medical information and will be able to tell you if this treatment works for you or if it could cause any other concerns.

For example, you should not take acyclovir pills if they interfere with the current medications you are on. A licensed medical provider is always the best source of professional advice when it comes to your health.

Making acyclovir work for you

Overall, there are several things you should know before starting acyclovir pills, including how they can help you, what treatment options are available, and any side effects you might encounter. You should always consult a medical provider before taking any acyclovir pill, and you should be sure to get your medicine from a reputable source.

You can always get the herpes treatment you need from Wisp. Talk to a licensed medical provider and get your prescription when orders are placed during regular operating hours.*

*Most prescriptions are sent to your pharmacy within 3 hours of completing your medical intake form and phone call or video chat when necessary.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.

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