Acyclovir (Zovirax®) Interactions

Acyclovir Drug Interactions

Acyclovir is NOT metabolized by CYP isoenzymes. So acyclovir has very few drug interactions, that mainly involve altered renal clearance:

• Probenecid, cimetidine: I.V. acyclovir plasma levels may be increased, and the duration of action prolonged, while the urinary excretion and renal Cl may be reduced.
• Zidovudine: Increased propensity for lethargy.

Can you take Acyclovir and Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) together?

Yes, you can. There are no drug interactions between Acyclovir and Benadryl®.

Can you take Acyclovir and Amoxicillin together?

Yes. It is safe to take acyclovir with amoxicillin (a penicillin antibiotic). They don't interact with each other.

Can you take Acyclovir with antibiotics?

Probably you can, because there are no drug interactions between acyclovir and any of the antibiotics (including azithromycin, cephalexin, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, metronidazone, and other).

Can you take Acyclovir with NSAIDs?

No clinically significant interaction appears to occur between acyclovir and NSAIDs, including aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs.

Can you take Acyclovir with Acetaminophen (Tylenol®)?

Yes, you can. There are no drug interactions between Acyclovir and acetaminophen (a pain reliever).

Can you take Acyclovir and Valacyclovir (Valtrex®) at the same time?

Valacyclovir, the L-valyl ester prodrug of acyclovir, is converted in the body to acyclovir. There is no drug interaction between the drug and prodrug per se. However taking acyclovir and valacyclovir at therapeutic doses together will increase blood levels of acyclovir.

Can you take Acyclovir and Lysine?

Yes, it is safe to take acyclovir and lysine at the same time.

Can you take Acyclovir and Alcohol together?

Alcohol doesn't affect blood levels of acyclovir and doesn't diminish the effectiveness of the medication.

Penicillin allergy

Can person allergic to penicillin take acyclovir?
There is no cross-reactivity between acyclovir and penicillin antibiotics. So penicillin allergy is not a contraindication for acyclovir therapy.

Pregnancy & Lactation

Pregnancy Risk Factor: B
Pregnancy Implications. Teratogenic effects were not observed in animal studies. Acyclovir has been shown to cross the human placenta. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Results from a pregnancy registry, established in 1984 and closed in 1999, did not find an increase in the number of birth defects with exposure to acyclovir when compared to those expected in the general population. However, due to the small size of the registry and lack of long-term data, the manufacturer recommends using during pregnancy with caution and only when clearly needed.

Lactation. Acyclovir enters breast milk.

References:

• 1. U.S. FDA. Zovirax (Acyclovir) Prescribing Information

By HealthyStock Research Group, September 2009
Medical resources reviewed: August 2018