Herpes labialis (cold sores or fever blisters; blisters brought on by the herpes simplex virus) on the lips or face is treated with acyclovir buccal. Acyclovir is a member of the synthetic nucleoside analogues class of antiviral drugs. It functions by preventing the herpes virus from spreading throughout the body.

A delayed-release buccal tablet called acyclovir buccal is available to place on the top gum in the mouth. The delayed-release buccal tablet is often placed with a dry finger within an hour of the onset of the itching, redness, burning, or tingling associated with cold sores but prior to the appearance of the sore itself. Typically, just one (single) dose is required. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Acyclovir should only be used as prescribed. Use it only as directed by your doctor, neither more nor less often.

The delayed-release buccal pills should not be chewed, crushed, sucked, or ingested.

While the tablet is in place, you are allowed to eat and drink. If you experience dry mouth while taking the delayed-release buccal tablets, drink lots of fluids.

To administer acyclovir buccally, do the following:

1. On the side of your mouth with the cold sore, locate the region on the upper gum above your left or right incisor teeth, which are the teeth immediately to the left and right of your two front teeth.
2. Take one delayed-release pill out of the container with dry hands.
3. Put the tablet’s flat side on your fingertip. On the side of your mouth with the cold sore, gently press the tablet’s rounded side against the upper gum area as high as it will go, just above one of your incisor teeth. Applying it to the cheek or inside of the lip is not advised.
4. The tablet should be held still for 30 seconds.
5. Reposition the tablet so that it sticks to your gum if it is not sticking to your gum or if it is sticking to your cheek or the inside of your lip. Till the tablet dissolves, keep it in place.
6. Don’t tamper with the tablet’s positioning. If you eat, drink, or rinse your mouth, make sure the tablet is still in your mouth.

Apply the same delayed-release buccal tablet again if it falls off within the first six hours of application. Apply a new tablet if it still won’t stay. Within the first six hours following application, if you mistakenly swallow the tablet, drink some water and apply a fresh tablet to your gum. Do not apply a fresh pill if the first one falls off or is ingested six hours or more after application.

When using acyclovir buccal delayed-release tablets, stay away from the following:

• After applying the buccal pill, avoid touching or pressing it.
• Avoid chewing gum.
• Never put on upper dentures.
• Till it melts, refrain from brushing your teeth. While the tablet is in place, gently rinse your mouth if you need to brush your teeth.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you believe this drug should be used for something else.

Before using acyclovir buccal,

• If you have any allergies to acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex), other drugs, milk proteins, or any of the ingredients in acyclovir products, let your doctor and pharmacist know right once. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products that you are now taking or intend to use. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• If you have any medical conditions, let your doctor know.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking acyclovir buccal.

Keep eating normally unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Side effects are possible with acyclovir buccal. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Scaly sores
• Itchiness in the gum

Other negative effects of acyclovir buccal are possible. If you experience any strange issues while taking this drug, call your doctor right away.

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Do not share your medication with anybody else. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.