Acyclovir side affects

That is nit a 'normal' side effect with acyclovir if that is what you are asking. I think you should talk to your dr about it. Is there anything else you are taking or possibly ate, that could be responsible. If it were me i would not keep taking it til i figured out what is going on.

 

You arent taking niacin or anything like that that would cause a flush are you?

 

take some benedryl and tell your doctor, I agree this is not a normal side effect, it sounds like an allergic reaction to me too. Also as June said it could be coming from something else you ate and its coincidental with the acyclovir but yes pursue it until you know for sure what caused it.

How long were you taking the 1 pill a day? Also an allergic reaction can happen at anytime even with things we eat or take or use regularly.

 

my allergist tells me to take 50 mg of Benadryl for an allergic reaction every 4-6 hrs but no more than 300 mg for the day

 

I hope so too. I may be wrong but if you find a good allergist and bring the medication with you he may be able to do some type of allergy test with it. The reason I am saying this one of my allergist asked me to bring in a medication I felt was causing an allergic reaction in me, I asked if he could test for it, he said yes bring in the medication. But my tests came back and showed it was a shellfish allergy so never followed through with the medication.

 

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/drug-allergy/basics/tests-diagnosis/con-20033346

A physical examination. In addition to a physical exam, your doctor will have a number of questions. For example, he or she might ask how long after you took the medication you began having symptoms.
•Blood tests. A blood sample can only be used to detect an allergy to a few drugs, such as certain antibiotics, muscle relaxants and insulin. Skin tests are generally preferred because they're more accurate in detecting drug allergy, but blood tests may be used when someone has had a severe reaction in the past, because skin testing could cause another such reaction.
•Skin tests. For some drugs, including certain antibiotics, an allergy skin test may be used to determine whether you're allergic. A small amount of the drug is injected into the skin of your forearm or back. If you're allergic to the drug being tested, you develop a red, raised bump or other reaction.
•Drug provocation tests. During drug provocation testing, gradually increasing doses of the offending drug are given. The drug can be given in different ways for the test, including orally or under the skin. A reaction indicates a possible allergy or sensitivity to the drug. If reactions to the drug are mild or there's no evidence of an allergic reaction, the drug may be a safe treatment choice. This test is usually used only when an alternative drug won't work as well or isn't an option. It may also be used when skin and blood tests aren't conclusive. Risks include a severe reaction and possibly anaphylaxis. Generally, only specialized allergy centers perform provocation tests for drug allergy.

Drug allergy treatment generally involves stopping the medication. You may also need medications to ease symptoms or, in the case of a serious reaction, emergency care.
•Minor reactions such as rashes or hives may improve with an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl, others). Call your doctor before using over-the-counter medications to make sure you're getting the treatment you need.
•Serious reactions may require treatment with oral or injected corticosteroids at the hospital. Seek emergency treatment if you have severe rashes or hives, swelling, shortness of breath, dizziness, or other signs or symptoms of a severe reaction.
•Anaphylaxis is an emergency requiring an immediate epinephrine injection and hospital care to maintain blood pressure and support breathing. If you've already had a serious allergic drug reaction, ask your doctor whether you need to carry an epinephrine injection (EpiPen, EpiPen Jr, Twinject).

Desensitization

In some cases, sensitivity to a drug can be reduced by starting with a tiny dose and gradually increasing it over time. This is done with medical supervision at a doctor's office, hospital or allergy clinic. In general, this is done only when you're allergic to a drug and a satisfactory alternative isn't available.

 

I found this, not sure it applies to you but I would stop the acyclovir just in case.

http://fooddrugallergy.ucla.edu/body.cfm?id=38

I had a burn reaction to antibiotics. Can I take another antibiotic safely?
Yes, but only after an extensive review of the medication that caused the problem.. Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) are severe skin diseases that can be triggered by adverse drug reactions. These conditions lead to unusual rashes that can resemble very severe burns. The medication that caused the problem and all structurally related drugs must be avoided forever. There is a very high risk the reaction will occur again if the patient receives the same or related medication.

 

if you felt the acyclovir was helping maybe eventually try lysine..since there is a very high risk the reaction will occur again from the same or related medication.

But I wouldn't try anything now until you speak to your doctor and allergist.

 

maybe there are test to see if you have that syndrome, take a picture of your face so you can show your dr when you see him in case it fades by that time.

 

best thing to do while waiting to see your dr is not to take the medication because I read it is treated in ICU, and you don't want it to happen again or more severely, sounds like a rough disease