Zovirax ointment and cream: instructions for use

Zovirax is an antiviral drug that is intended for external use.

The agent is a homogeneous white mass of a soft consistency without foreign particles, which has a characteristic odor. It is an effective immunostimulant used externally for the treatment of infections caused by numerous viruses.

On this page you will find all the information about Zovirax: a full instruction on the application to this medication, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already used Zovirax ointment. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Antiviral drug for external and local use.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

Available without a prescription.

Price list

How much does Zovirax cost? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of190 rubles.

Form of issue and composition

The drug Zovirax is produced by the pharmaceutical corporation Glaxo Smith Kline Pharmaceuticals SA:

• in tablets;
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• in the form of cream 5%;
• ophthalmic ointment 3%;
• and Lyophilizate for solution in ampoules. Because of the 5% concentration of Zovirax in the form of a cream, Zovirax 5 is indicated.

The product manufactured by the company in the form of an ointment is called Zovirax ophthalmic. Powder Liofizilat is designed to prepare a solution for injection, it is called simply - Zovirax in ampoules. Cream Corporation produces in vials of plastic with a 2-gram dispenser. Cream Zovirax is a white homogeneous mass, available in aluminum tubes of different volumes: 2 g, 5 g and the largest - 10 g.

Pharmacological effect

The active substance Zovirax is a representative of the pharmacological group of drugs antiviral compounds. The antiviral effect is that after the aciclovir is introduced into the virus-infected cell, under the action of thymidine kinase (an enzyme that appears only inside a virus-infected cell) is converted into active metabolites.

They are embedded in the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of the virus, which leads to the failure of its subsequent replication (doubling of the filaments) and the disruption of intracellular multiplication of viral particles. Cream Zovirax has the maximum antiviral activity against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2, the Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegaloviruses, the causative agent of herpes zoster (Varicella zoster).

Indications for use

What helps Zovirax? Here are the main indications for use:

1. Eye ointment is used in the treatment of keratitis, eye disease caused by types 1 and 2 types of herpes virus.
2. The cream is used to treat herpes infections of the skin and mucous membranes, as well as to treat herpes on the lips.

In the form of injections and tablets, Zovirax is administered internally at:

• treatment of "chicken pox" (chicken pox);
• treatment of infections in newborns caused by herpes virus type 1 and 2;
• the treatment of infections that are caused by types 1 and 2 of the herpes virus;
• prevention of herpetic infections;
• prevention of cytomegalovirus infection.

What ointment differs from the cream?

Their effect on the mucous membranes and skin is the same, but the cream can not be used to treat the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. It is designed to treat infection on the face and lips caused by Herpes labialis - herpes simplex virus.

Contraindications

Contraindications include excessive sensitivity to both the drug as a whole and its active substance. When allergic manifestations of the drug is canceled.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy requires a neat attitude to the health of women and the fetus. Therefore, during pregnancy, the drug, although it can be prescribed with appropriate indications, but its use is carried out under the supervision of the attending physician.

During breastfeeding, the drug can enter the breast milk, and the child also receives a certain dose of the active substance (not more than 0.03%). For this reason, the appointment of Zovirax during lactation should be administered with extreme caution.

Instructions for use

In the instructions for use, it is recommended that the Zovirax cream should be applied 5 times / day (approximately every 4 hours) in a thin layer on the affected and adjacent areas of the skin and mucous membranes.

• Duration of treatment - at least 4 days. In the absence of healing, treatment can be continued up to 10 days. If the symptoms persist for more than 10 days, you should consult your doctor.

The cream is applied either with a cotton swab or with clean hands to avoid additional infection of the affected areas.

Instructions for ophthalmic ointment

For adults and children, a preparation in the form of an ointment strip 10 mm long should be placed in the lower conjunctival sac. Multiplicity of application 5 times / day with an interval of about 4 hours.

The therapy should continue for 3 more days after healing.

Side effects

Side effects can be in the form of allergic or local reactions:

1. Allergic reactions - angioedema;
2. Local reactions - blepharitis, conjunctivitis, burning, spot keratopathy (disappears on its own).

Overdose

Overdosing with the use of Zovirax in this form is not possible, because the ointment does not have the ability to systemically affect the body.

special instructions

1. When pronounced manifestations of herpes lips is recommended to consult a doctor.
2. In the treatment of genital herpes it is recommended to avoid sexual contacts or use condoms, because the use of acyclovir does not prevent the transmission of the virus through sexual contact.
3. To achieve maximum therapeutic effect, it is necessary to apply the drug already at the first signs of the disease (burning, itching, tingling, sensation of tension and redness).
4. Patients with immunodeficiency in the treatment of any infectious diseases should follow the recommendations of the doctor.
5. The cream is not recommended to be applied to the mucous membranes of the mouth and eyes. possibly the development of local inflammation.

Drug Interactions

No significant drug interactions were observed with the use of the drug.

Acyclovir is excreted in the urine unchanged due to tubular secretion. All funds with a similar elimination method can increase the concentration of acyclovir in the blood.

Reviews

We picked up some feedback from people about the Zovirax preparation:

1. Lilya. From a cold on the lips it helps, but if at the very first signs it is applied. if already noticeable inflammation - the healing is slightly faster!
2. Irina. Herpes on the lips recently had a little daughter. Lip blushed greatly, the vial burst and caused severe pain. My daughter was uncomfortable eating. The chemist advised me to buy Zovirax. The first 3 days we smeared the vial often, as required by the instruction. The sore has diminished in size, the pain and burning sensation have disappeared. For a week, the labial tissue recovered completely, and there was not a spot or a scar left from the vial. I recommend this tool to everyone.
3. Stepan. Never suffered herpes, and then he suddenly jumped out on his lips. And in two places. Immediately hurried to the nearest pharmacy, where he bought Zoviraks. I started using the ointment immediately after the purchase. Already on the second day I felt an improvement. Herpes on the lips decreased in size, became less painful. By itself, this sore on the lips brings a lot of discomfort. First the sores became crusted, dried up. Continued to lubricate them with ointment. All treatment took me no more than seven days. A week later the herpes was completely gone. I liked the effect of Zovirax. Herpes after the treatment was no longer manifested, than I am very pleased. Therefore, I recommend this tool as the most effective and effective in the treatment of an unpleasant herpes disease.

Analogues

If Zovirax is not suitable for a patient for any reason, the treatment of herpes is done with the help of analogues:

• Acyclovir.
• Herpferon.
• Acyclovir-ACRI.
• Panavir.
• Lavomax.
• Herperax.
• Virolex.
• Acyclovir AKOS.
• Acigerpine.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Zovirax or acyclovir, which is better?

In Zovirax, acyclovir is the active substance. But the drug Zovirax is original, and numerous Acyclovir (for example, Acyclovir-ACRI, Acyclovir-AKOS, Acyclovir Belupo, etc.) are generics.

Accordingly, the original has a higher quality, but it costs more.

Storage conditions and shelf life

The ointment has a long shelf life before its dissection - 3 years, after opening it is stored 1 month in the refrigerator or just in a cool place with a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C.

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