Healthy Immune Systems
Acyclovir ointment was studied as a treatment for
genital herpes in people with healthy immune systems. For people who used the medication to treat their first genital herpes infection, the lesions healed more quickly, compared to people who did not use it. For some people, acyclovir ointment also helped the pain to go away more quickly and decreased the time that they were contagious.
Weakened Immune Systems
Acyclovir ointment was studied to treat genital herpes and
cold sores in people with weakened immune systems. The medication decreased the time that the lesions were contagious and helped the pain to go away more quickly.
General considerations for when and how to take acyclovir ointment include the following:
- The medication is meant to be used on the skin (including the mouth and genitals); it is not meant to be ingested.
- You should use disposable rubber, latex, or similar gloves to apply acyclovir ointment in order to prevent spreading the infection to other parts of your body.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be used as prescribed. Make sure to apply it exactly as directed by your healthcare provider.
Dosing Information for Acyclovir Ointment
There is only one standard recommended dose of acyclovir ointment, regardless of your age, weight, or other medical problems.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically tells you to do so.