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Zovirax is a drug designed to fight cold sores on the lips and face, caused by the herpes simplex virus. Zovirax is in the form of a cream intended for topical application, which consists mainly of the active substance – accilovir.
Zovirax – composition
The composition of Zovirax includes acyclovir (Aciclovirum) and auxiliary substances. In 1 gram of cream Zovirax contains 50 mg of acyclovir (Aciclovirum) and:
- propylene glycol,
- white petroleum jelly,
- cetostearyl alcohol,
- liquid paraffin,
- Arlacel 165,
- poloxamer 407,
- sodium lauryl sulfate,
- dimetykon,
- Purified Water.
The accilovir component of Zovirax is an organic chemical compound used as a drug with strong antiviral properties.. Akcylovir is highly effective against other viruses, including those responsible for the causes of chicken pox, herpes zoster, cytomegalovirus and the Epstein-Barr virus.
Most often, accilovir is included in the composition of medicines with the consistency of a cream or ointment, intended for external application to the skin. Sometimes it is also present in the composition of antiviral drugs taken orally or intravenously.
See also: Shingles in pregnancy – symptoms, effects on the development of the fetus
Zovirax – application
Zovirax is applied directly to the skin in the affected area. Usually, unless otherwise instructed by your doctor, Zovirax is applied in thin layers about 5 times a day, at regular intervals of several hours (with a longer sleep break). Zovirax is most effective when treatment with Zovirax is started as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear.
Treatment initiated at a later stage should also be successful, but it may take a bit longer. Usually, the period of taking Zovirax is a minimum of 5 days and may last up to 10 days. If the herpes symptoms have not disappeared after this time, the current treatment method should be consulted with your doctor.
It is recommended to clean hands thoroughly before and after applying Zovirax, or to wear latex gloves while applying the medicine. Thanks to this, we will stop the further transmission of the virus to other parts of the body or to other people. Scratching, tearing off scabs or puncturing vesicles covered with Zovirax is also not recommended. Such activities will not accelerate the absorption process of the drug or affect its effectiveness.
Zovirax can be used by pregnant women and young mothers who are breastfeeding, however, in such a situation it is worth informing the doctor about the willingness to take the treatment with this drug. Zovirax can also be used to treat people under 18 years of age. Taking it does not affect the ability to drive or operate machinery. There are no known interactions of Zovirax with other drugs, but it is worth informing your doctor about all other medications taken during the treatment.
See: Can latex gloves be used repeatedly to protect against coronavirus?
Zovirax – precautions
As with all medications, there are specific circumstances in which the use of Zovirax is not recommended. The most important of them are:
- allergy to accilovir or any of the other ingredients of the drug,
- problems in the work of the immune system (e.g. bone marrow transplant, advanced stage of AIDS),
- when the expected results were not obtained during the previous treatment with Zovirax or the treatment period lasts longer than 10 days and the symptoms of herpes persistent,
- the occurrence of an extremely severe and recurrent type of herpes labialis,
- skin infections.
Additionally, it is strongly discouraged to use Zovirax to treat cold sores that occur elsewhere in the body – including genital herpes. When using Zovirax, make sure that the medicine does not get into the eyes, mucous membranes or other sensitive areas on the body. If this happens, immediately wash the area of your body to remove any excess Zovirax.
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Zovirax – side effects
Taking Zovirax may cause unwanted side effects that usually do not pose a threat to health or life. However, if their appearance makes it impossible to continue treatment, inform your doctor about this fact.
The most common ailments include:
- skin allergic reactions, including, in particular, swelling of the face,
- excessive drying of the skin,
- excessive peeling of the skin,
- a burning, tingling or prickly pain sensation which passes quickly
- long-lasting itching of the skin,
- erythema around the application site,
- contact dermatitis,
- angioedema
- hives.
Zovirax – packaging and availability
Zovirax is a relatively safe drug and is therefore available over the counter. At Zovirax, you can stock up on almost any pharmacy in Poland. One package of Zovirax contains 2 g of cream. The price of one package of the drug is about PLN 10-12.
Zovirax Duo – how is it different to Zovirax?
Zovirax Duo, compared to the basic drug Zavirax, contains two active substances: acyclovir and hydrocortisone. Aciclovir is antiviral and helps fight the virus that causes herpes. Hydrocortisone is a mild steroid to reduce the inflammation associated with cold sores.
Zovirax Duo cream is used to treat the early signs and symptoms of cold sores on the lips and skin around the mouth (such as tingling, itching or redness) to reduce the risk of herpes developing into blisters in adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older.
Even if the cold sores have blistered, treatment with Zovirax Duo reduces the healing time of lesions by about half to a day compared to a cream that does not contain active substances.
In addition, if you are using Zovirax Duo by pregnant and breastfeeding women, consult your doctor first and do not take the medicine on your own. It is up to your doctor to decide whether to use Zovirax Duo.