What Is The Correct Aciclovir Dosage?

The usual adult dose of aciclovir depends on the condition being treated.

The best dose is not simply the highest dose. It depends on the type of infection, how severe the symptoms are, how early treatment is started, and whether you have any medical conditions that affect how your body clears aciclovir.

Aciclovir 200mg tablets are commonly used for herpes simplex infections, including cold sores and genital herpes.

Aciclovir 200mg dosage for cold sores

For cold sores that need oral treatment, the usual adult dose is:

Aciclovir 200mg five times a day for 5 days.

This usually means taking one 200mg tablet roughly every 4 hours while awake. A common schedule is:

• 7am
• 11am
• 3pm
• 7pm
• 11pm

Most cold sores do not need oral antiviral tablets. Aciclovir cream may be suitable for mild cold sores, especially if started as soon as tingling begins. Oral aciclovir may be considered if cold sores are severe, frequent, slow to heal or if you have a weakened immune system.

Aciclovir 200mg dosage for genital herpes

For genital herpes, aciclovir 200mg may be used as:

Aciclovir 200mg five times daily for 5 days.

This may be used for a first episode or recurrent outbreak, although many UK sexual-health guidelines now prefer aciclovir 400mg three times daily because it is easier to take.

For genital herpes suppression, aciclovir 200mg may be prescribed as:

Aciclovir 200mg four times daily.

However, many people are managed more conveniently with aciclovir 400mg twice daily.

Aciclovir 200mg dosage for shingles

Aciclovir 200mg is not normally the most practical tablet strength for shingles because the standard shingles dose is 800mg five times daily.

If only 200mg tablets are used, this would equal:

Four 200mg tablets per dose, five times daily, for 7 days.

You should only take this if it has been prescribed this way. Do not take aciclovir 200mg five times daily for shingles unless told to, as this is usually too low for shingles treatment.

Aciclovir 400mg tablets are commonly used for genital herpes and sometimes for herpes simplex infections where a higher or more convenient dose is required.

Aciclovir 400mg dosage for genital herpes

For a first episode of genital herpes, the usual adult dose is:

Aciclovir 400mg three times daily for 5 days.

This is often preferred over 200mg five times daily because it is easier to follow.

For recurrent genital herpes outbreaks, one commonly used dose is:

Aciclovir 400mg three times daily for 3 to 5 days.

Treatment works best when started as early as possible, ideally during the tingling, burning or warning stage before blisters fully develop.

Aciclovir 400mg for genital herpes suppression treatment

If you have frequent or distressing genital herpes outbreaks, a clinician may recommend suppressive treatment.

The usual suppressive dose is:

Aciclovir 400mg twice daily.

This may reduce how often outbreaks happen, but it may not stop them completely. Suppressive treatment should be reviewed periodically to check whether it is still needed.

Aciclovir 400mg dosage for cold sores

For cold sores, 400mg tablets may sometimes be used where clinically appropriate, but the standard licensed oral herpes simplex dose is often based on 200mg five times daily.

Some clinicians may use 400mg regimens for convenience, especially where adherence is a concern. You should follow the exact dose prescribed rather than switching between tablet strengths yourself.

Aciclovir 400mg dosage for shingles

The standard shingles dose is 800mg five times daily for 7 days.

If 400mg tablets are used for shingles, this usually means:

Two 400mg tablets per dose, five times daily, for 7 days.

This should only be done if prescribed. Shingles treatment should be started as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours of the rash appearing.

Aciclovir 800mg tablets are most commonly used for shingles and sometimes for short-course recurrent genital herpes treatment.

Aciclovir 800mg dosage for shingles

For shingles, the usual adult dose is:

Aciclovir 800mg five times daily for 7 days.

The doses are usually spaced around 4 hours apart while awake. For example:

• 7am
• 11am
• 3pm
• 7pm
• 11pm

You do not usually need to wake up during the night to take a dose unless your prescriber has specifically told you to.

Shingles treatment works best when started early. Antiviral treatment is usually most effective when started within 72 hours of the rash appearing, although it may still be considered later in some higher-risk cases.

You should seek urgent medical advice if shingles affects your face, eye or nose, if you have vision changes, if you are pregnant, if you are immunocompromised, or if the rash is widespread.

Aciclovir 800mg dosage for genital herpes

Aciclovir 800mg is not usually the standard dose for a first episode of genital herpes. However, it may be used for recurrent genital herpes as a short-course treatment.

One recommended short-course regimen is:

Aciclovir 800mg three times daily for 2 days.

This is usually used when treatment is started very early in the outbreak. If symptoms are already established, your prescriber may recommend a different regimen.

Aciclovir 800mg dosage for cold sores

Aciclovir 800mg is not usually used for routine cold sore treatment. Cold sores that need oral aciclovir are more commonly treated with lower-dose herpes simplex regimens, such as 200mg five times daily.

Do not use leftover 800mg shingles tablets for cold sores unless a doctor or pharmacist has told you to.

Take aciclovir exactly as prescribed. The dose and duration can vary depending on the infection being treated.

General advice:

• Start treatment as soon as possible after symptoms begin.
• Swallow the tablet whole with water, or disperse it in water if the product instructions allow.
• Space doses evenly through the day.
• Drink plenty of water while taking aciclovir, especially if you are taking high doses.
• You can usually take aciclovir with or without food.
• Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.
• Complete the course unless a healthcare professional tells you otherwise.

For five-times-daily dosing, aciclovir is usually taken during waking hours rather than overnight.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose.

If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the usual time.

Do not double your dose to make up for a missed tablet.

Some people may need a dose adjustment, especially if they have reduced kidney function.

Speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking aciclovir if you:

• have kidney disease or reduced kidney function
• are elderly and taking high-dose aciclovir
• are dehydrated or struggling to drink fluids
• are taking medicines that can affect the kidneys
• are pregnant or breastfeeding
• have a weakened immune system
• have symptoms affecting the eye
• have severe, widespread or unusual symptoms

Aciclovir is cleared mainly through the kidneys, so kidney function is important when deciding the safest dose.

You should seek medical advice urgently if:

• shingles affects your eye, nose, face or forehead
• you have genital herpes symptoms for the first time
• you are pregnant
• you have a weakened immune system
• symptoms are severe or spreading
• sores are not healing
• you have confusion, severe headache, neck stiffness or neurological symptoms
• you keep getting frequent outbreaks
• you have kidney problems
• you are unsure which aciclovir dose to take

The correct aciclovir dosage depends on the infection being treated. For adults, 200mg five times daily is commonly used for cold sores and herpes simplex infections, 400mg three times daily is commonly used for genital herpes, and 800mg five times daily for 7 days is the usual dose for shingles.

If you are unsure which dose you need, speak to a doctor or pharmacist before taking aciclovir, especially if you have kidney problems, are pregnant, are immunocompromised or have symptoms affecting the eye.