Acivir 200 DT
✅ Treats viral infections
✅ Reduces symptoms quickly
✅ Shortens healing time
✅ Prevents virus spread
✅ Relieves discomfort
Acivir 200 DT contains Aciclovir.
✓ Medically reviewed by Morgan Ellis — Pharmacy Researcher · 8 years experience · Last reviewed: May 2026
💡 Quick Answer
Acivir 200 DT is aciclovir (acyclovir), a prescription antiviral for genital herpes (HSV-2), cold sores (HSV-1), shingles (VZV), and chickenpox. It stops viral DNA replication in infected cells. Typical oral dosing is 200–400 mg five times daily for acute treatment; start within 24 hours of symptom onset for maximum benefit.
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What Is Acivir 200 DT?
Acivir 200 DT is a branded generic of aciclovir (American spelling: acyclovir), the prototype nucleoside antiviral and the most widely used antiviral in the world. It was the first drug to selectively target virus-infected cells without significant harm to uninfected cells, winning its inventor (Gertrude Elion) a share of the 1988 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Aciclovir is a guanosine analogue. Herpes-virus-infected cells contain viral thymidine kinase, which phosphorylates aciclovir 3,000× more efficiently than human kinases. The resulting aciclovir triphosphate blocks viral DNA polymerase, halting replication in infected cells only. It is available in oral strengths of 200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg.
Clinical Uses
- Genital herpes (first episode): 200 mg five times daily for 10 days, OR 400 mg three times daily for 10 days
- Genital herpes (recurrent episodic): 400 mg three times daily for 5 days — start within 24 hours of prodrome
- Genital herpes (suppressive): 400 mg twice daily
- Cold sores (herpes labialis): 200 mg five times daily for 5 days
- Shingles (herpes zoster): 800 mg five times daily for 7 days — start within 72 hours of rash onset
- Chickenpox (varicella): in healthy children, 20 mg/kg four times daily for 5 days (max 800 mg per dose)
How to Take
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water. Can be taken with or without food.
- Stay well hydrated — aciclovir is renally cleared and requires adequate urine output.
- Five-times-daily dosing means every 4 hours while awake — set alarms if needed. Missing doses reduces efficacy.
- Start at the first sign of recurrence (tingling, burning, itching). Earlier dosing → faster healing.
- Complete the full course even if symptoms resolve.
Side Effects
Common (≥1%): headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fatigue. Usually mild.
Less common: rash, photosensitivity, dizziness.
Serious (rare): acute kidney injury in dehydrated patients or at very high IV doses (crystal nephropathy). Neurotoxicity (confusion, tremor, hallucinations) mostly associated with renal impairment + high dose. Rarely haematological effects (thrombocytopenia).
Who Should Not Take Acivir 200 DT
- Known hypersensitivity to aciclovir or valacyclovir
- Caution in renal impairment — dose reduction required for creatinine clearance <50 mL/min
- Caution in pregnancy / breastfeeding — widely used but individual assessment
- Elderly patients: dose adjust for age-related renal decline and monitor for neurotoxicity
Drug Interactions
- Probenecid, cimetidine: reduce renal clearance, may raise aciclovir levels.
- Nephrotoxic drugs (aminoglycosides, amphotericin, high-dose NSAIDs, ciclosporin, tacrolimus): use combined with hydration and monitoring.
- Mycophenolate mofetil: may raise aciclovir levels.
- Zidovudine: may potentiate neurotoxicity; monitor.
Storage
Store at room temperature (15–25 °C / 59–77 °F) in the original blister, away from moisture and light. Keep out of reach of children. Do not use after the printed expiry date.
Aciclovir vs Valacyclovir
Aciclovir is the original molecule; valacyclovir is a prodrug that converts to aciclovir after absorption. The practical difference is bioavailability (aciclovir ~15–20%, valacyclovir ~55%), which translates into dosing frequency — aciclovir requires 3–5 doses per day, valacyclovir just 1–2. Efficacy is comparable at equivalent dosing. Aciclovir stays the reliable cost-effective option; valacyclovir wins on convenience.
See our in-depth comparison: Valacyclovir vs Acyclovir.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Acivir 200 DT cure herpes?
No. Herpes has no cure; the virus stays in nerve ganglia for life. Acivir 200 DT shortens outbreaks, reduces their frequency on suppressive therapy, and lowers (but does not eliminate) partner transmission risk.
How quickly does Acivir 200 DT work for a genital herpes outbreak?
Most patients feel symptom improvement within 24–48 hours of starting. Lesions heal about 1–2 days faster than untreated. Fastest relief comes from starting at the first prodromal sign (tingling, burning).
Why does Acivir 200 DT require so many doses per day?
Oral aciclovir bioavailability is only ~15–20% — the rest is not absorbed. Frequent dosing is needed to keep plasma levels high enough to suppress viral replication. Valacyclovir solves this by improving absorption to ~55%.
Can I take Acivir 200 DT during pregnancy?
Yes — aciclovir is widely used in pregnancy and is Category B in most jurisdictions. It is often preferred near term in women with active genital herpes to reduce neonatal herpes risk. Discuss with your obstetrician.
What if I miss a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember if it is within 2 hours of the scheduled time. Otherwise skip and continue. Never double-dose.
Does Acivir 200 DT work on cold sores?
Yes, but it is most effective when started at the prodromal tingle — not after the blister has formed. 200 mg five times daily for 5 days is the usual regimen.
Can I combine Acivir 200 DT with other medicines?
Most interactions are mild (probenecid, cimetidine). Avoid combining with other nephrotoxic drugs (aminoglycosides, high-dose NSAIDs) without medical supervision. Mycophenolate and zidovudine require dose consideration.
What foods or drinks should I avoid?
No specific food or drink restrictions. Stay well hydrated to protect kidney function, especially at higher doses.
Related Products & Guides
- Valacyclovir vs Acyclovir Guide
- Daily vs Episodic Herpes Treatment
- Valclovir (Valacyclovir)
- Valovera (Valacyclovir)
- Valcosign (Valacyclovir)
- Zovirax Suspension (Aciclovir)
⚕️ Medical Disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. Prescription products should be used only under medical supervision.
For patients tolerating aciclovir 200 mg DT but finding the five-times-daily dose schedule unworkable, Centrex (valacyclovir 500 / 1000 mg) is the standard step-up: better oral bioavailability, twice-daily acute dosing for HSV, and a once-daily option for suppression therapy.
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| Strength | 200 mg |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 30 Tablet/s, 60 Tablet/s, 90 Tablet/s, 180 Tablet/s |
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Acivir 200 DT
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