Sometimes you may have small blisters on the sides of your lips and around your mouth that are painful and bother you so much that you can't even eat or drink. We call these 'Cold Sores'. Actually, this is caused by the Herpes virus. So, did the doctor recommend a new type of pill for you as a treatment for this? It's not a pill that you swallow, but one that you stick on your gums. Today, let's talk about this medicine called Acyclovir Buccal Tablet.
What is Acyclovir Buccal Tablet?
Simply put, Acyclovir is a medicine that is used to control viral infections. This Buccal Tablet is a tablet that is specially designed to be placed on the gums of the mouth. What it does is to prevent the herpes simplex virus (HSV) from spreading further in your body, which means it controls the growth of those blisters.
It is important to remember that this medicine does not completely eliminate the virus from the body. It only puts the virus to sleep for a while. Therefore, there is still a chance that you could infect someone else with this virus.
Also, this is not a medicine for colds, flu, or bacterial infections. It is only given for viral infections.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking medicine
It is essential that your doctor knows your complete medical history before prescribing this medication. Be sure to tell them about these things in particular.
- If you have any weakness in your immune system (e.g. HIV infection, cancer treatment).
- If you have allergies to this medicine called Acyclovir, milk , any other medicine, food, artificial coloring, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant .
- If you are a nursing mother .
Based on this information, your doctor will be able to decide whether this medication is right for you or not.
Okay, how exactly do you use this pill?
This is the most important part. This is not a pill that you swallow, so you need to know exactly how to use it. Follow these steps.
1. First , wash your hands thoroughly with soap and dry them well. Do not touch the tablet with wet hands.
2. Slowly and carefully remove the pill from the blister pack.
3. Important: If the tablet breaks, crumbles, or splits when you take it out, do not use it. Throw it away and get a new tablet.
4. Now place this patch on your upper gum, on the side of your cheek where the cold sore is, and press it gently. (Between your upper lip and gum).
5. Press the patch into place and hold it with your finger for about 30 seconds. It will then stick to the patch by itself.
6. Very important: Do not crush, chew, suck, or swallow this tablet. It will dissolve and be absorbed into the body over a few hours. It does not require water.
Think about what you would do if the pill came off or was accidentally swallowed. Here is some clear advice.
| Incident | What to Do |
|---|---|
| If the patch falls off within 6 hours of being applied | Try to reattach the peeled patch to the same spot. If it doesn't stick, apply a new patch. |
| If the pill is swallowed within 6 hours of being applied | Drink a glass of water and immediately apply a new patch to the area. |
| If the patch falls off or is swallowed within 6 hours of application | There is no need to apply a new patch. The body has already received the required amount of medicine. |
Things to be careful about when using the medicine
- Start early: The sooner you start using the medicine as soon as the symptoms of a cold sore (e.g., itching, soreness, or a small blister) begin , the better the results.
- Do not let the tablet fall out: Do not touch the tablet until it dissolves, press it with your tongue, chew gum, put on a denture if you use one, or brush your teeth. These things can cause the tablet to fall out.
- You are still contagious: As we mentioned before, you can still pass the virus on to someone else while taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid kissing others and sharing your towels, dishes, and cutlery with others until the blisters have completely healed.
What side effects are possible?
Like any medication, this can cause side effects in some people. It's important to know what they are.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic Reactions | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. These can be serious and require immediate treatment. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Headache | A mild or moderate headache may occur. |
| Discomfort at the insertion site | Minor soreness, itching, or discomfort in the gum where the patch is applied. |
Can there be problems with other medications?
Yes, absolutely. That's why it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you take (including vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements).
Cidofovir, in particular, is not recommended for use with this medicine. In addition, many other medications, such as some antibiotics, kidney medications, and painkillers, can interact with this medicine. Therefore, do not hide anything and inform your doctor.
What if I take too much medicine and how do I store it?
If you think you have accidentally taken too much of this medicine, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital , or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Store this medicine out of the reach of children and pets , at room temperature (between 20-25 Celsius). It is best to keep it in the original packaging it came in. If it has expired, discard it without using it.
Take-Home Message
- Acyclovir Buccal Tablet is a medicine that is applied to the gums to control cold sores. It is not intended to be swallowed or chewed.
- Follow the instructions exactly when applying the patch and if it comes off or gets stuck.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and your health conditions before prescribing the medication.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, consider it an emergency and seek medical advice immediately.
- Even if this medicine controls the disease, remember that you can still spread the virus to someone else and take precautions.
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