acirax cream - Acyclovir (5% w/w) medicine

acirax cream - Uses, Price, Side Effects & Substitutes

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๐Ÿญ Synmedic Laboratories ๐Ÿ“ฆ Varies by brand ๐Ÿ’Š Allopathy ๐Ÿ“… Updated: Jun 26, 2026
๐Ÿ“‹ Prescription Required ๐Ÿ’Š Generic Available
Medically Reviewed
Dr. SaathiMed Expert Panel | Jun 26, 2026

What is acirax cream used for?

Acivir Cream (Acyclovir) is used to treat DERMA. It contains Acyclovir (5% w/w), which Inhibits viral DNA synthesis by competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate for v. Always consult your doctor before use. Take as prescribed.

  • Generic Name: Acyclovir
  • Manufacturer: Synmedic Laboratories
  • Form: Allopathy
  • Pregnancy Category: A
  • Prescription Required: Yes
๐Ÿ’ก Did You Know? India has the highest number of USFDA-compliant plants outside the USA.

๐Ÿ’Š acirax cream Uses & Benefits

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections: cold sores (herpes labialis), genital herpes; herpes zoster (shingles) - topical use for cutaneous lesions.

Off-label uses: Eczema herpeticum, Herpetic whitlow, Prevention of HSV recurrence in immunocompromised patients (topical)

๐Ÿ“‹ Drug Information

Generic Name(s)Acyclovir
Brand NameAcivir Cream
ManufacturerSynmedic Laboratories
Packaging / FormVaries by brand (Allopathy)
Therapeutic ClassDERMA
Action ClassAntiviral (Non-HIV) drugs
Route of AdministrationTopical.
StorageStore at 20-25ยฐC (68-77ยฐF); protect from moisture.
Shelf LifeAs per manufacturer

๐Ÿ”ฌ Pharmacology (PK/PD)

Pharmacokinetics

AbsorptionMinimal systemic absorption after topical application; approximately 0.1% of dose absorbed through intact skin.
DistributionDistributes widely into tissues and body fluids; crosses placenta and appears in breast milk.
Protein Binding9-33%
MetabolismHepatic; minor metabolism via aldehyde oxidase and alcohol dehydrogenase.
Half-Life2.5-3.3 hours (normal renal function); up to 20 hours in end-stage renal disease.
ExcretionRenal (primarily as unchanged drug via glomerular filtration and tubular secretion).
BioavailabilityTopical: negligible systemic bioavailability.
Onset of ActionRapid; symptomatic relief within 24-48 hours.
Peak Plasma TimeNot applicable for topical use; systemic levels negligible.
Duration of ActionVariable; typically 4-6 hours after application.

How It Works

Inhibits viral DNA synthesis by competing with deoxyguanosine triphosphate for viral DNA polymerase and incorporating into viral DNA, causing chain termination.

Mechanism Steps

1Acyclovir is selectively phosphorylated by viral thymidine kinase to acyclovir monophosphate.
2Cellular kinases convert acyclovir monophosphate to acyclovir triphosphate (active form).
3Acyclovir triphosphate competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase.

๐Ÿ’ก How to Take acirax cream

Follow your doctor's prescription exactly.

โš ๏ธ Side Effects of acirax cream

โœ… Common Side Effects

  • Burning or stinging at application site
  • Dry skin
  • Pruritus
  • Erythema

๐Ÿšจ Serious Side Effects

  • Angioedema
  • Stevens-Johnson syndrome (rare)
  • Acute renal failure (systemic)

โš ๏ธ Rare Side Effects

  • Contact dermatitis
  • Urticaria
  • Localized edema

Consult your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

๐Ÿ”ฌ Drug Interactions

โš ๏ธ DrugSeverityEffect
Probenecid Major Decreased renal clearance of acyclovir, increased toxicity risk.
Cimetidine Major Increased acyclovir AUC and half-life.
Mycophenolate mofetil Major Increased plasma concentrations of both drugs.
Interferon Moderate Synergistic antiviral effect; monitor for toxicity.
Zidovudine Moderate Increased risk of neurotoxicity.
Tacrolimus Moderate Increased nephrotoxicity risk.
Valproic acid Minor Possible decreased acyclovir efficacy.
Phenytoin Minor Decreased phenytoin levels reported.

๐Ÿšจ Major Interactions

  • Probenecid
  • Cimetidine
  • Mycophenolate mofetil

โšก Moderate Interactions

  • Interferon
  • Zidovudine
  • Tacrolimus

โ„น๏ธ Minor Interactions

  • Valproic acid
  • Phenytoin

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Food Interactions

No significant food interactions.

๐Ÿท Alcohol Interaction

No known interaction.

๐Ÿ›ก๏ธ Safety & Warnings

๐Ÿšซ Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.

๐Ÿ“Š Monitoring Parameters

Lesion healing, pain relief; renal function if prolonged systemic use.

๐Ÿคฑ Lactation Safety

Caution; excreted in breast milk but unlikely to cause adverse effects in infant.

๐Ÿ’Š Overdose Management

Topical overdose unlikely; accidental ingestion may cause nausea, vomiting, headache; supportive care.

โฐ Missed Dose

Apply as soon as remembered; if near next dose, skip missed dose and resume regular schedule.

๐Ÿ‘จโ€โš•๏ธ Reviewed by Expert

Dr. SaathiMed Expert Panel

MD, PhD - Pharmacology

Reviewed: Jun 26, 2026

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๐Ÿ”„ Substitutes for acirax cream

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Alternative brands with exact same active ingredient (Acyclovir (5% w/w)):

Medical Note: Always consult your doctor before switching medications.

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