Acyclovir, Buccal

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is used between the upper lip and gum to treat cold sores. Use it exactly as directed.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antiviral

Generic and brand names: acyclovir, buccal; Sitavig

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used between the upper lip and gum to treat cold sores.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before using this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine, or to milk products.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. This medicine is usually applied as a single dose, one-time, to your upper gum. Do not crush, chew, suck, or swallow the tablet. Carefully follow the instructions for using this medicine.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children under age 18.

Use this medicine within 1 hour after you have the first sign that you are getting a cold sore, such as itching, redness, burning, or tingling, and before a cold sore appears. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. With a dry hand, put the tablet with the round side facing your gum on the same side of your mouth as the cold sore symptoms. Follow the detailed instructions for use in the medicine package for how to place the tablet correctly to your upper gum. The medicine will slowly dissolve over the next several hours and should be left in place until it dissolves.

While the tablet is in your mouth, avoid brushing your teeth, chewing gum, wearing upper dentures, or other things that might keep the medicine from sticking to your gum. You may eat or drink while using this medicine. If your mouth gets dry while using this medicine, drink more liquids.

If the tablet falls out within 6 hours after you apply it, put the same tablet back onto your upper gum right away. If the tablet will not stick, use a new tablet. If you swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours, drink a glass of water and put a new tablet on your upper gum.

If a tablet falls out or you swallow it after it has been in place for at least 6 hours, you do not need to replace it.

What if I miss a dose?

If you swallow the tablet in less than 6 hours, put a new tablet on your gum. If the tablet falls out in less than 6 hours, put the same tablet back onto your upper gum. If the tablet will not stick, use a new tablet. Do not use double doses. If you are not sure what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

An acute overdose of this medicine is not likely to cause life-threatening symptoms. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I watch out for?

Contact your healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve in a few days or if they get worse.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are using this medicine.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Other: Headache or mild pain when you use the medicine.

What products might interact with this medicine?

No significant drug interactions have been reported.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.