Medication Guide App

Acyclovir Disease Interactions

There are 4 disease interactions with acyclovir:

Acyclovir (Includes Acyclovir) ↔ Renal Dysfunction

Severe Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Renal Dysfunction

Acyclovir is primarily eliminated by the kidney. Patients with renal impairment may be at greater risk for neuro- and nephrotoxicity (including further deterioration in renal function, tubular damage and acute renal failure) from acyclovir due to decreased drug clearance. Therapy with acyclovir should be administered cautiously in patients with renal impairment. Dosage adjustments are recommended in patients with moderate to severe renal dysfunction.


Acyclovir (Includes Acyclovir) ↔ Dehydration

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: Dehydration

Acyclovir crystals may precipitate in the renal tubules, particularly when the drug is injected intravenously as a bolus. Abnormal renal function may occur, which is usually reversible but may infrequently progress to tubular damage and acute renal failure. Patients who are dehydrated may be at increased risk for nephrotoxicity from acyclovir administration. Intravenous acyclovir should be administered over a one-hour period accompanied by adequate hydration. The urine flow should be monitored, especially within the first two hours following infusion when maximum urine concentration occurs. The recommended urine output is a minimum of 500 mL per gram of drug infused.


Acyclovir (Includes Acyclovir) ↔ Hemodialysis

Moderate Potential Hazard, High plausibility

Applies to: hemodialysis

Acyclovir is substantially removed by hemodialysis. Plasma levels of acyclovir have been shown to reduce by 60% following 6 hours of dialysis. Acyclovir should be administered after hemodialysis. Otherwise, an additional dose may be given after each hemodialysis session.


Acyclovir (Includes Acyclovir) ↔ Neurotoxicity

Moderate Potential Hazard, Low plausibility

Applies to: Liver Disease, Electrolyte Abnormalities, Hypernatremia, Phosphate Imbalance, Magnesium Imbalance, Asphyxia, CNS Disorder, Hyponatremia, Dehydration, Hypocalcemia, Hypercalcemia, Acidosis, Alkalosis

Acyclovir, particularly when administered intravenously in higher dosages, may occasionally produce neurotoxicity characterized by lethargy, obtundation, tremors, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, seizures, or coma. Therapy with acyclovir should be administered cautiously in the elderly and in patients with underlying neurologic abnormalities, severe renal or liver disease, or significant electrolyte abnormalities or hypoxia.


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acyclovir drug Interactions

There are 49 drug interactions with acyclovir

See also...

Drug Interaction Classification

The classifications below are a general guideline only. It is difficult to determine the relevance of a particular drug interaction to any individual given the large number of variables.

Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.

Do not stop taking any medications without consulting your healthcare provider.

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Multum is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Multum Information Services, Inc. does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. Copyright 2000-2013 Multum Information Services, Inc. The information in contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.

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