Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary
The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this
medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
1. Why am I using DBL Aciclovir?
DBL Aciclovir contains the active ingredient aciclovir. DBL Aciclovir is an antiviral
medicine, used for the management of certain infections caused by viruses, such as
herpes and shingles.
2. What should I know before I use DBL Aciclovir?
Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or
any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines,
or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Aciclovir and affect how it works.
4. How do I use DBL Aciclovir?
DBL Aciclovir is given by slow infusion directly into the bloodstream. It is administered
by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors, such as your weight.
5. What should I know while using DBL Aciclovir?
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Things you should do
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You should drink plenty of fluids as instructed by your doctor or nurse. If you are
unable to drink, due to your condition, your doctor will ensure that you receive plenty
of fluids.
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Things you should not do
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Do not use if you have ever had an allergic reaction to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or
any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
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Driving or using machines
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Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how DBL Aciclovir
affects you.
DBL Aciclovir may cause dizziness in some people
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Looking after your medicine
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DBL Aciclovir will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward under correct conditions..
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6. Are there any side effects?
Side effects may include discomfort or swelling, redness or heat at the injection
site, fatigue, headaches, nausea and/or vomiting, loss of appetite, pins and needles
sensation on skin, feeling unwell. Serious side effects may include difficulty breathing,
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body (allergic reaction),
abdominal pain, diarrhoea or bloody diarrhoea, abnormal bleeding or bruising, blood
in stool or urine, dark coloured urine, seizures or tremors, confusion, delusion,
loss of coordination, difficulty in speech, yellowing of the skin or eyes, fever.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section
6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s):
Aciclovir
Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)
This leaflet provides important information about using DBL Aciclovir. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information
or if you have any concerns or questions about using DBL Aciclovir.
Where to find information in this leaflet:
1. Why am I using DBL Aciclovir?
DBL Aciclovir contains the active ingredient aciclovir. DBL Aciclovir is an antiviral medicine.
DBL Aciclovir is used for the management of certain infections caused by viruses,
such as herpes and shingles.
It works by preventing the reproduction of the virus which is causing the condition.
2. What should I know before I use DBL Aciclovir?
Warnings
Do not use DBL Aciclovir if:
1. you are allergic to any medicine containing aciclovir, valaciclovir, or any of the
ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include shortness of breath, wheezing
or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the
body; rash, itching or hives on the skin.
2. Always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine.
Check with your doctor if you:
have any other medical conditions including:
kidney disease
liver disease
any condition affecting your nervous system
irregular electrolyte levels
hypoxia (inadequate oxygen supply to the cells of the body).
take any medicines for any other condition
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important
you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information
under Section
6. Are there any side effects?
This medicine is not addictive.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Check with your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
Talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed.
Your doctor can discuss with you the risks and benefits involved.
3. What if I am taking other medicines?
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any
medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy,
supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with DBL Aciclovir and affect how it works. These include:
probenecid, a medicine used to treat gout
cimetidine, a medicine used for stomach ulcers or heartburn
diuretics, that is, medicines to prevent fluid retention
zidovudine, a medicine used for HIV infection or AIDS
ciclosporin, mycophenolate, tacrolimus, or interferon, medicines used to control the
immune system
methotrexate, a medicine used for cancer and conditions of the immune system
lithium, a medicine used for treatment of mental illness
theophylline, a medicine used to treat lung diseases.
These medicines may be affected by aciclovir, or may affect how well it works. You
may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Check with your doctor if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements
you are taking and if these affect DBL Aciclovir.
4. How is DBL Aciclovir given?
How it is given and how much
DBL Aciclovir is given by slow infusion directly into the bloodstream. It is administered
by a doctor or nurse.
Your doctor will decide what dose you will receive. This depends on your condition
and other factors, such as your weight.
If you use too much DBL Aciclovir
As DBL Aciclovir is most likely to be given to you in hospital under the supervision
of your doctor, it is very unlikely that you will receive an overdose. However, if
you experience severe side effects tell your doctor immediately.
Symptoms of an overdose may include the side effects listed below in the ‘Side Effects’
section, but are usually of a more severe nature.
If you think that you have used too much DBL Aciclovir, you may need urgent medical
attention.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling
13 11 26), or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
5. What should I know while using DBL Aciclovir?
Things you should do
You should drink plenty of fluids as instructed by your doctor or nurse. If you are
unable to drink due to your condition, your doctor will ensure that you receive plenty
of fluids.
Driving or using machines
Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how DBL Aciclovir
affects you.
DBL Aciclovir may cause dizziness in some people
This medicine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, or drowsiness in some
people. If you have any of these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery or do anything
else that could be dangerous.
Looking after your medicine
DBL Aciclovir will be stored in the pharmacy or on the ward under appropriate conditions.
6. Are there any side effects?
All medicines can have side effects. If you do experience any side effects, most of
them are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you
have any further questions about side effects.
If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Less serious side effects
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Less serious side effects
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What to do
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Injection site reactions:
discomfort, swelling, redness or heat at the injection site
Gastrointestinal reactions:
nausea and/or vomiting
loss of appetite
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Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry
you.
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Serious side effects
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Serious side effects
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What to do
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Allergic reaction symptoms:
shortness of breath; wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, sores, itching, ulcers or hives on the skin
Bleeding and related side effects:
abnormal bleeding or bruising
severe blisters and bleeding in the lips, eyes, mouth and genitals
Gastrointestinal related symptoms:
pain or problems in passing urine
blood in urine or dark urine
diarrhoea, bloody diarrhoea
abdominal pain
Liver related symptoms:
jaundice or hepatitis
Psychological related symptoms:
seizures (fits)
agitation, confusion or reduced ability to concentrate
feeling sad or changes in thinking
tremor
hallucinations or delusions
dizziness
loss of coordination, or voluntary muscle movements
pins and needles sensation on skin
difficulty in speech
Injection site reactions:
sudden pain or inflammatory reaction at the injection site
Skin and eye reactions:
yellowing of the skin and eyes
itching
purplish spots or patches
General:
feeling generally unwell
looking pale
fever
tiredness
headaches
being short of breath when exercising
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Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your
nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
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Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you
feel unwell. Your doctor may request blood test in order to monitor your progress, some side effects
can only be detected by blood testing.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.
Reporting side effects
After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can
report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at
www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of
this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop
taking any of your medicines.
7. Product details
This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.
What DBL Aciclovir contains
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Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
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aciclovir
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Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
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sodium hydroxide
water for injection
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Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
This medicine does not contain lactose, sucrose, gluten, tartrazine or any other azo
dyes.
What DBL Aciclovir looks like
DBL Aciclovir is a clear, colourless or almost colourless solution.
DBL Aciclovir is available in the following strengths:
250 mg /10 mL AUST R 56809
500 mg /20 mL AUST R 56810
Who distributes DBL Aciclovir
Pfizer Australia Pty Ltd
Sydney, NSW
Toll Free number: 1800 675 229
This leaflet was prepared in July 2023.