Acyclovir Buccal
Acyclovir buccal is used to treat herpes labialis (cold sores or fever blisters; blisters that are caused by a virus called herpes simplex) on the face or lips. Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body.
🔔 How should this medicine be used?
Acyclovir buccal comes as a delayed-release buccal tablet to apply to the upper gum in the mouth. The delayed-release buccal tablet is usually applied with a dry-finger within 1 hour after cold sore symptoms (itching, redness, burning or tingling) begin, but before the cold sore appears. It is usually taken as a single (one-time) dose. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Do not chew, crush, suck, or swallow the delayed-release buccal tablets.
You may eat and drink while the tablet is in place. Drink plenty of liquids, if you have a dry mouth while using the delayed-release buccal tablets.
To use buccal acyclovir, follow these steps:
- Find the area on the upper gum above your left or right incisor teeth (the teeth just to the left and right of your two front teeth) on the side of your mouth with the cold sore.
- With dry hands, remove one delayed-release tablet from the container.
- Place the flat side of the tablet on your fingertip. Gently apply the rounded side of the tablet to the upper gum area as high as it will go on your gum above one of your incisor teeth on the side of your mouth with the cold sore. Do not apply it to the inside of the lip or cheek.
- Hold the tablet in place for 30 seconds.
- If the tablet does not stick to your gum or if it sticks to your cheek or the inside of your lip, reposition it to stick to your gum. Leave the tablet in place until it dissolves.
- Do not interfere with the placement of the tablet. Check to see if the tablet is still in place after eating, drinking, or rinsing your mouth.
If the delayed-release buccal tablet comes off within the first 6 hours of application, reapply the same tablet. If it still will not stick, then apply a new tablet. If you accidentally swallow the tablet within the first 6 hours after application, drink a glass of water and place a new tablet on your gum. If the tablet falls off or is swallowed 6 or more hours after application, do not apply a new tablet.
Avoid the following while you are using acyclovir buccal delayed-release tablet:
- Do not touch, or press the buccal tablet after it has been applied.
- Do not chew gum.
- Do not wear upper dentures.
- Do not brush your teeth until it dissolves. If your teeth need to be cleaned while the tablet is in place, rinse the mouth gently.
