Acyclovir

Pregnancy & gynaecology-specific. Every dose row is source-referenced; verify against institutional protocols.

AcyclovirAntiviral

Regimens checked: 2026-10-17. Each indication has its own preparation, limits and safety checks.

Acyclovir: indication-specific regimens
Indication	Dose	Route	Frequency	Duration / preparation	Maximum	Monitoring / cautions
First clinical genital-herpes episode CDC · 2021 STI guidelinechecked	400 mg	Oral	Three times daily	7–10 days; extend if healing remains incomplete after 10 days · 400 mg tablet (or two 200 mg tablets); maintain hydration and check renal function; not an IV prescription Suppression reduces recurrence but does not eliminate neonatal transmission; first acquisition near birth needs specialist obstetric/neonatal planning.	1200 mg/day for this schedule; adjust with renal impairment	Monitor Lesion/symptom response, renal function and delivery/neonatal-risk assessment Contraindications / cautions Acyclovir/valacyclovir allergy; severe/disseminated/CNS infection needs hospital IV treatment instead
Recurrent genital herpes in pregnancy: CDC suppression from 36 weeks CDC · 2021 STI guidelinechecked	400 mg	Oral	Three times daily	From 36 weeks until birth; reassess delivery route if lesions/prodrome occur · 400 mg tablet (or two 200 mg tablets); maintain hydration and check renal function; not an IV prescription Suppression reduces recurrence but does not eliminate neonatal transmission; first acquisition near birth needs specialist obstetric/neonatal planning.	1200 mg/day for this schedule; adjust with renal impairment	Monitor Lesion/symptom response, renal function and delivery/neonatal-risk assessment Contraindications / cautions Acyclovir/valacyclovir allergy; severe/disseminated/CNS infection needs hospital IV treatment instead

Pregnancy safety

CDC considers acyclovir usable in all trimesters when indicated

Lactation

CDC considers acyclovir compatible with breastfeeding

CDC · 2021 STI guidelinecheckedIN REVIEW