Assessment consultation

Question 1

What is the medication?

Answer 1

Aciclovir 200mg tablets

Question 2

What is acyclovir?

Answer 2

Anti viral medication - stops the herpes simplex virus from spreading (cold sore)

Question 3

what is herpes simplex?

Answer 3

Very contagious virus (a cold sore) - affects many people & activated by many things e.g stress, fatigue, menstrual cycle, kissing

Question 4

Dosage regimen

Answer 4

200mg (1 tablet), 5 times a day for 5 days

Question 5

Missed dose advice

Answer 5

If miss a dose - don’t double up to make up for the missed dose. If forget - take the tablet as soon as remember and then take the next dose at the right time.

Question 6

Side effects

Answer 6

Dizziness, headache, nausea, stomach pain, photosensitivity, drowsiness - may not affect but to be aware of (ensure drowsiness not affected before driving/operating machinery). Also potential for allergic reaction i.e swelling of the lips, tongue, face, rash - stop taking and see Dr asap (to provide different medication) but worse case.

Question 7

Drug interactions

Answer 7

Theophylline - severe asthma 
Methotrexate - Rheu arthritis 
Naproxen 
Trimethoprim
Ibuprofen 
(all increase risk of nephrotoxicity)

Question 8

Check for medical conditions

Answer 8

Renal impairment (kidneys) - caution taken, drink plenty of water and maintain adequate hydration. How severe? if severe then dose changed. 
Immunocompromised (increase dose)

Question 9

Allergies?

Answer 9

Food & medicinal

Question 10

Warnings?

Answer 10

Avoid dehydration!!!! - always drink plenty of water whilst on this medication

Question 11

Lifestyle advice

Answer 11

Do they know what makes it flare up? Remove triggers, wash hands, don’t touch eyes or cold sore, reduce kissing, avoid picking scabs, avoid sharing medication/cutlery. If a woman=change cosmetic as it has probably spread. If it is sun - use an SPF lip balm.
For the pain they can also use paracetamol/ibuprofen.
Also - do not use anti itch products on the skin e.g crotamiton - all will do is spread the infection.

Question 12

Other medication interactions - warnings

Answer 12

Cimetidine- peptic ulcers, probenecid - gout - these 2 increase the concentration of acyclovir in the blood leading to overdose.
Mycophenolate mofetil - if high doses of aciclovir they can increase the levels of these in blood.
Ciclosporin- immunosuppressant drug - dr needs to monitor kidney function
Theophylline- severe asthma
- Zidovudine- HIV

Question 13

Dosage -2

Answer 13

take with or without food with water. 5 times a day at approx 4 hourly intervals for 5 days.
If they have difficulty swallowing tablets - can disperse them in a glass of water at least 50ml which should be stored before drinking.

Question 14

How to start the consultation?

Answer 14

Check they’re picking up for themselves, check patient details (name and address) - explain the purpose of the consultation e.g you’ve been prescribed acyclovir 200mg tabs - just want to take a few mins of time to go over some information regarding the medicine to ensure you get the best out of it. Is that ok?
Also - do you have anything you want to talk about with me or any concerns?
Have you had this medication before?