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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

acyclovir during pregnancy?

34 replies

walnut300 · 06/01/2013 12:05

I was wondering if anybody has taken acyclovir 400mg tablets throughout pregnancy. I am 6 weeks pregnant and stopped taking the tablets as soon as I found out I was pregnant and now have an out break, wondering if it is safe to take? I am new to mumsnet and have heard this is a good forum for advice. thank
you Smile Smile

OP posts:
PetiteRaleuse · 06/01/2013 12:06

AFAIK it's ok, though check with your doctor.

DreamingOfTheMaldives · 07/01/2013 11:27

I spoke to a specialist doctor about this only last week as I had taken 3 days worth before finding out I was pregnant. I was told not to worry, there are no known risks associated with acyclovir (a book of medications he looked in gives it exactly the same result as paracetamol, basically not believed to cause problems, but obviously can't say it is completely safe as no one does studies on pregnant women.) I also found a report (may have been an American one) which said there were no increased defects between women who had taken acyclovir in early pregnancy and those who had not - the rate of defects remaining at 2%.

He gave me 3 packs of the medications to take as and when I get outbreaks as I have been getting them quite frequently this year. (I find that taking it shortens the outbreak and reduces the severity of it). He told me that he would personally avoid taken them in the first trimester, but to not to worry that I had already taken some early on, but that it really was a matter for me either way. It was not known to increase risks at any stage and therefore if I chose to take in tri 1, that was fine. He said I could take them freely when I got outbreaks (as I would undoubtedly do due to weakened immune system from pregnancy) during tri 2 and tri 3 if that is what I wanted to do - he understands that some women try to avoid taking any medication at all during pregnancy if they can avoid it but it is very much personal choice.

He strongly recommended taking suppression dose from at least 36 weeks onward in order to avoid the potential for a CS if I had an outbreak at the time of going into labour. He said that if I wanted to, I could take it for suppression throughout my pregnancy but I prefer to take it as and when I get an outbreak.

Poppetwagon · 07/01/2013 13:21

Congrats ladies :) I'm in pretty much the same boat. Just found out I'm about 4 wks pg this morning, and have taken acyclovir suppression 2x a day for years. I don't get many outbreaks and when I do they are quite mild, but i think, like Dreamingofthemaldives, (thx for info btw!) I will only take them when i feel an outbreak coming on. I've also heard it is quite safe to take while pregnant.

Original poster
walnut300 · 07/01/2013 13:58

thank you so much for the advice. I also have been taking it as a suppression for years but as soon as I found out I was pregnant have stopped taking it and then got an outbreak. I am going to try and hold off from taking it but am concerned about having an outbreak nearer the time of birth. so it is adviced to take it at 36weeks? what mg do you usually take? I live in Thailand so really value this advice from you. thank youSmile

OP posts:
DreamingOfTheMaldives · 07/01/2013 15:53

I take 5 x 200mg per day for 5 days for an outbreak. It's so many because you are trying to overload your system with it so that it can fight it. Start taking it as soon as you notice a tingle/sensation. I've only recently started taking it and have been amazed how well it reduces the severity of the attack - I only get an attack in a very very small area but the last couple of days it is incredibly painful (due to the position) and make me so miserable. Taking aciclovir means it doesn't get to that stage. Yipee!!

I've had it for years but was never actually diagnosed properly until October, so didn't take aciclovir, as their ability to diagnose it wasn't as good years ago - I just got on with it and never bothered going back to the doc. Glad I decided to in October (probably because I was feeling so miserable after just having a miscarriage and then an infection and then getting an outbreak just felt like kicking me when I was down!)

I was told that they would recommend taking 3 per day for suppression (I assume at 200mg each) during those last few weeks as they want to make sure that it keeps it away. I will be going back to see the doctor before then though so can talk to him about it.

Have either of you noticed any side effects from taking it as suppression for so long? I had been a bit reluctant to take tablets for suppression (generally, I don't mean whilst pregnant) but I'm not really sure why.

It's good to be able to 'talk' to someone who understands as I've never spoken to anyone other than my husband about the outbreaks etc.

Congratulations by the way ladies Smile

ZuleikaD · 07/01/2013 16:32

It's fine to take. I've been told to take it throughout my third trimester as you really, really don't want an outbreak when the baby's born.

Poppetwagon · 07/01/2013 17:33

Myself, I've never had any side-effects from taking suppression acyclovir. Not a single one. And it works great. So naturally I'm a bit nervous stopping until 3d trimester but I'm sure it'll be ok.

Original poster
walnut300 · 08/01/2013 11:13

hey ladies, congratulations to you! Grin I have taken 400mg 2 x a day for over 3 years now and never had any side effects, I am much happier taking it as a suppressive dose as i nevet get an outbreak. I will consult with my doctor as going to continue to not take it now as so early in to pregnancy but will look at taking it again in trimester 3 as I would much prefer a natural birth than a CS but don't want to place any risk to the baby. feel so much happier being able to talk with other expecting mums, Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
walnut300 · 08/01/2013 11:14

zuleikaD what dosage have you been told to take during your 3rd trimester?

OP posts:
ZuleikaD · 08/01/2013 12:26

The normal prophylactic dose - 400mg twice a day. It's a bonus that it's free at the moment!

DreamingOfTheMaldives · 08/01/2013 14:48

Do you not get it free anyway ZuleikaD? I've been given it free each time, although I don't get it from GP.

ZuleikaD · 08/01/2013 16:10

No - I just get a repeat prescription from the GP (I don't use it all the time) so pay normal prescription charges.

dizzyange · 23/01/2013 10:02

Please could somebody help me. I have had lots of IVF treatment but I also suffer with herpes outbreaks. Because at my last IVF I had a massive outbreak just around implantation time I was put on suppression this time and took acyclovir for the first 3 weeks. I got pregnant but miscarried at 7 weeks 3 days and now keep thinking it must have been the acyclovir that caused this. Can anyone help/give any advice/or have any knowledge of this? Really really torturing myself over this one.

Goldstar185 · 11/06/2014 09:43

Hello
I don't know if this has already been answered but I'm finding it difficult to find out how much aclyvior to take during my out brake at 39weeks? My midwife and doctors are really hard to get hold of! Does anyone know?
Thanks :)

Beardy123 · 07/01/2015 00:23

Hi everyone
Am really struggling at the moment.... Just found out I'm 8 weeks pregnant. In the last 3 months I have had 2 x flare ups and woke up this morning with my 2 x massive bout of painful shingles on my leg! I already have a 2 yr old so am constantly paranoid about bedding and baths and towels ect. Not only feeling ill and tired and run down which makes it worse. Also this will be the 4th lot of acyclovir I have had since being pregnant :( which I'm worried about, saw the doc today and he said no proven effects of taking when pregnant but it can't be good in such qty surely?! I also asked if ok for me to take it constantly to stop outbreaks but he said that's no point as dosent work like that. Do I get a second opinion? I don't want to be ill all the time :(

Bubba19alicia · 12/01/2015 09:05

Hey beardy123, I have suffered with herpes for 2 years. My sexual health clinic says that more than 6 outbreaks a year is classes a severe, and I was getting at least 1 a month! Normally a dr would suggest suppression, which involves two tablets a day for 9 months, hoping that your body will build up an immunity to the virus. I never did build up this immunity so my local GUM clinic prescribes me 3 months at a time, and I take them constantly and never suffer with an outbreak, unless I miss a tablet. I am not sure how safe antivirals are during pregnancy, I'm nearly 7 weeks an on aciclover, my dr said I should cut down the dose but my GUM said its perfectly safe... I do however know that an outbreak during the first trimester is dangerous, and also near the time your going to give birth. You have to weigh up the risks and benefits of the tablets compared to the risk of an outbreak, and for that reason I am continuing my suppression throughout pregnancy. Would deffo get a second opinion though!!! Hope this helps :)

luckiestgirlintheworld · 12/01/2015 10:43

I was prescribed a suppression dose for the last few weeks of pregnancy, so I would assume its fine?

Letmeeatcakecakecake · 12/01/2015 10:48

It's fine! You can take your normal dose, or cut down to a suppression dose 2 a day).

Generally if it's not your first outbreak they're not too concerned about outbreaks and vaginal births as the risk if transmitting to baby are very low!

I'm going to take a suppression dose from 35 weeks though, my fanny rill be sore enough after delivery! Last thing I need on too is an outbreak! Xx

kendrickreaves · 19/08/2016 12:13

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StressedMama2 · 11/10/2018 03:38

Hi - I’ve currently been prescribed acyclovir to try and help battle a bout of shingles. I am 6 weeks pregnant and would love to hear how everyone is getting on now? Any issues with your babies etc. Thanks.

A2218 · 14/03/2020 17:23

I’m 23 weeks and starting to feel an outbreak. I took Zovirax 400mg/3x for one day and then got scared and stopped taking it. I hope i didn’t do anything to my unborn baby. Any mamas out there who know about this

Marova22 · 28/04/2020 11:26

Hello, I have just found this old thread and was wondering what is the latest update on taking 400mg Aciclovir during first trimester.
I do not take any suppression doses and have outbreaks about 4 times a year.
Typically, I have just got one outbreak now, 5-weeks pregnant.
My GP prescribed 400mg 3 times a day until the small ulcer is gone.

Since this thread is quite old I was wondering if there is any update from those who took it in early pregnancy, 1st trimester in particular. How are your babies?

I had a MC early in January and also had an outbreak then. Back then I did not take any medication to suppress it and MC at 8-weeks. I don't think it happened due to HPV but who knows. ...I want to do all I can to avoid the same outcome this time.

Thank you.

Fourteen14 · 11/06/2020 12:15

Hi,
I’m 13 weeks pregnant and have continued to take aciclovoir 400mg suppressive therapy twice daily. The consultant at the GUM clinic said it was fine to continue and left it up to me to decide. I’ve had conflicting advice from midwives but my thoughts are the consultants know better.
For me I feel I couldn’t cope with the outbreaks during pregnancy as they make me quite ill and really down.

Goda · 08/09/2020 12:43

Hi ladies! I am in the same situation right now. I am only 4 weeks pregnant and was taking acyclovir 400 mg twice daily for suppression for months non stop until yesterday. When I saw my OBGYN while planning my pregnancy, she mentioned that I should continue acyclovir when get pregnant. Then I decided to read about it and got very confused. There is no one answer.
It would be great if one of you who has already had a baby would post an update.
For now I have decided to stop taking it daily and to see how often I would have to take it for outbreaks and then consult with my doctor when I see her at week 11-12.
I found this information on clinical pharmacist publication : No adequate or well-controlled studies have been conducted to evaluate use of acyclovir during human pregnancies; however, published observational studies over decades of acyclovir use have not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriages, or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes.
Good luck to everyone!

Happy61 · 24/02/2021 12:36

Hi I’m just looking for a bit of advice I have been taking acyclovir 400mg 2x daily for almost 3 years now, I am 26 weeks pregnant and I’m just wondering if anyone else has taken the suppressive therapy throughout their pregnancy and if so was everything ok with baby and your pregnancy? I see people only start the treatment from 36 weeks but I have been on this the whole way through and now I’m worrying that I shouldn’t have been

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