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Original poster

Aciclovir side effects

8 replies

MegBusset · 26/07/2021 14:51

I have been prescribed a 7-day course of aciclovir (800mg 5x day) for shingles, which I've started today.

I'm worried about side effects (particularly nausea/ diarrhoea or tiredness) as I am setting off on a long drive with the DC tomorrow.

Has anyone had experience of this medication? If you did have side effects how quickly did they come on? (Ie if I haven't had side effects by tomorrow afternoon will I probably be ok?)

OP posts:
gardeninggirl68 · 26/07/2021 15:16

Just finished my course.... it worked well

But the tiredness! That got me

Original poster
MegBusset · 26/07/2021 15:27

Glad you're feeling better. How soon did the tiredness kick in?

I'm driving 3.5hrs tomorrow and the same again on Wednesday. Will be taking frequent breaks obviously but want to make sure it's doable.

OP posts:
gardeninggirl68 · 26/07/2021 18:50

tiredness starting within a day of taking the tablets but i carried on in my job ok. 9 hour shifts in a physical job. fell asleep at lunch once! someone here linked it to my AZ vaccine so may have come from that, don't know, but pharmacist did say they had had a few in with shingles

the rash was bearable, nothing too bad. it was just the pain, horrible

Original poster
MegBusset · 26/07/2021 19:27

Yeah I've had horrendous leg pain. That's actually eased off in the last couple of days as the rash developed. But GP was still keen for me to take the antivirals.

Had two so far and no nausea which is a good sign. Will see how I go with the tiredness, hopefully will be ok for driving as long as I'm sensible with it.

OP posts:
stillcrazyafterall · 26/07/2021 19:31

I've taken them and never had any side effects- in fact it never occurred to me that I would have any! Confused

Northernmum100 · 26/07/2021 19:35

I felt really nauseous all the time and it started a couple of days into the course (7 day course) and it continued I think for a day or so when I had finished them. I didn't actually vomit and it wasn't bad enough for me to take to my bed but I did feel grim.
If I have another outbreak of Shingles and its only mild, I am not sure I would want them again...

Original poster
MegBusset · 27/07/2021 21:18

Update: day two of tablets, no drowsiness or nausea, a slightly gippy tummy but nothing too bad. Hopefully will shift the shingles quickly!

OP posts:
disappointed101 · 04/11/2021 21:21

How did you get on in the end? I’ve just started these tablets and nervous now!

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