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Tag: Antiviral medication

Explore our medication guides and pharmacology articles within this category.

Does Acyclovir Cause Skin Peeling? Understanding Topical and Oral Side Effects

3 min read
While transient burning and stinging are the most common topical side effects, many people experience flaky or peeling skin while using acyclovir. This reaction is primarily associated with the topical cream or ointment, but it can also manifest as part of a severe allergic response to oral acyclovir. Understanding the different causes and contexts is essential for managing this skin reaction effectively.

How do you get rid of a Valtrex headache?

4 min read
Headache is a common side effect of Valtrex (valacyclovir), with some studies indicating it is one of the most frequently reported adverse effects. Fortunately, there are several effective strategies and precautions you can take to manage and potentially get rid of a Valtrex headache. This guide covers safe remedies and medical advice to help you feel better while continuing your treatment.

How do pharmacists treat shingles?

4 min read
Approximately one-third of Americans will develop shingles in their lifetime. This makes understanding **how do pharmacists treat shingles?** essential, as they are often the first point of contact for timely medication, symptom management, and prevention strategies.

Is There an Over the Counter Equivalent to Acyclovir?

4 min read
While acyclovir is a powerful prescription antiviral medication used for various herpes viruses, many people wonder if there is an over the counter equivalent to acyclovir for managing outbreaks like cold sores. No direct oral or broad-spectrum topical equivalent exists, but there is one FDA-approved antiviral cream available over-the-counter for cold sores.

Why does Paxlovid mouth happen?

4 min read
In Pfizer's clinical trials, approximately 5.6% of patients reported dysgeusia, an altered sense of taste [1.3.1]. This common side effect, often called 'Paxlovid mouth,' raises the question: why does Paxlovid mouth happen and what is the science behind it?

Is Foscarnet a Chemo Drug? Understanding Antivirals vs. Chemotherapy

4 min read
Foscarnet is an antiviral medication, not a chemotherapy drug, primarily used to treat and prevent severe viral infections in immunocompromised individuals. Its use in patients undergoing cancer treatment is often a source of confusion, but it is administered to address opportunistic viral infections rather than to combat cancer itself. This article clarifies the distinction by exploring the different mechanisms and applications of these two drug classes.

What class of antiviral is emtricitabine?

4 min read
Emtricitabine is a cornerstone of modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), widely used in combination with other medications. So, what class of antiviral is emtricitabine? It belongs to the nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) drug class.

What Are the Side Effects of Pritelivir?

3 min read
While initial human clinical trials showed that pritelivir was generally well-tolerated with common adverse events like nausea and headache, a 2013 FDA hold due to safety signals in animal studies highlighted important safety considerations. This new antiviral is still under investigation, specifically for immunocompromised individuals with drug-resistant herpes.