Oral administration - Zovirax is used to treat recurrent genital herpes infections, localized cutaneous herpes zoster infections (shingles) and chickenpox (varicella).
Intravenous - Zovirax is used to treat severe initial episodes of genital herpes in nonimmunosuppressed persons, mucosal or cutaneous herpes simplex infections or herpes zoster infections (shingles) in immunosuppressed persons, herpes simplex encephalitis.
Topical - Zovirax cream is used to treat recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) and Zovirax ointment is used in the treatment of limited non-life-threatening herpes simplex infections to immunocompromised persons (systemic treatment is preferred).
Zovirax (Acyclovir) is strongly contraindicated in : hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir.
Use Zovirax cautiously in : pre-existing serious neurologic, hepatic, pulmonary or fluid and electrolyte abnormalities; renal impairment; geriatric persons, obese persons, persons with hypoxia; pregnancy and lactation (safety not established).
Oral administration (adults and children) : 200 mg of Zovirax every 4 hours while awake (5 times/day) for 7-10 days or 400 mg every 8 hours for 7-10 days; maximum dose of Zovirax (Acyclovir) in children : 80 mg/kg/day in 3 to 5 divided doses.
Intravenous (adults and children) : 5 mg/kg every 8 hours or 750 mg mg/m2/day divided every 8 hours for 5-7 days.
Chronic suppressive therapy for recurrent genital herpes :
Oral administration (adults and children) : 400 mg of Zovirax twice daily or 200 mg 3-5 times per day for up to 12 months.Maximum dose in children is 80 mg/kg/day in 2 to 5 divided doses.
Intermittent therapy for recurrent genital herpes :
Oral administration (adults and children) : 200 mg every 4 hours while awake (5 times/day) or 400 mg every 8 hours or 800 mg every 12 hours for 5 days; start at first sign of symptoms.Maximum dose for children is 80 mg/kg/day in 2 to 5 divided doses.
Acute treatment of herpes zoster in immunosuppressed persons :
Oral administration (adults) : 800 mg of Zovirax every 4 hours while awake (5 times/day) for 7-10 days.Prophylaxis - 400 mg 5 times per day.
Zovirax (Acyclovir) treatment should be started as soon as possible after herpes simplex symptoms appear and within 24 hours of a herpes zoster outbreak.
Oral administration : Zovirax may be administered with food or on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water.
Shake oral suspension well before administration.
Intravenous : maintain adequate hydration (2000-3000 ml/day) especially during first 2 hours after intravenous infusion, to prevent crystalluria.
Zovirax injectable should not be administered topically, intramuscullar, subcut, oral administration or in the eye.
Intermittent infusion : reconstitute 500 mg or 1 g vial with 10 ml or 20 ml, respectively of sterile water for injection for a concentration of 50 mg/ml.Don't reconsitute with bacteriostatic water with benzyl alcohol or parabens.Shake well to dissolve completely.Dilute in at least 100 ml of D5W, D5/0,25% NaCl, D5/0,45% NaCl, D5/0,9% NaCl, 0,9% NaCl.In persons who require fluid restriction, a concentration of up to 10 mg/ml has beed used; use reconstituted solution within 12 hours; once diluted for infusion the solution should be used within 24 hours.Refrigeration results in precipitation, which dissolves at room temperature.Rate - administer via infusion pump over at least 1 hour to minimize renal tubular damage.
Topical : apply Zovirax to skin lesions only; do not used in the eye.
Take Zovirax (Acyclovir) as directed for the full course of therapy.Take missed doses as soon as possible but not just before next dose is due; don't double doses.Zovirax should not be used more frequently or longer than prescribed.
Additional use of OTC creams, lotions and ointments may delay healing and may cause spreading of lesions.
Zovirax is not a cure.The virus lies dormant in the ganglia, and Zovirax will prevent the spread of infection to others.
Condoms should be used during sexual contact and no sexual contact should be made while lesions are present.
Consult health care professional if symptoms are not relieved after 7 days of topical therapy or if oral Zovirax does not decrease the frequency and severity of reccurences.Immunocompromised persons may require a longer time, usually 2 weeks, for crusting over of lesions.
Women : if you have genital herpes, have yearly Papanicolaou smears because you may be more likely to develop cervical cancer.
Apply Zovirax (Acyclovir) ointment in sufficient quantity to cover all lesions every 3 hours, 6 times a day for 7 days 0,5 in. ribbon of ointment covers approximately 4 square in.You should use a finger cot or glove when applying to prevent inoculation of other areas or spread to other people.Keep affected areas clean and dry.
Avoid drug contact in or around eyes.Report any unexplained eye symptoms to health care expert immediately; ocular herpetic infection can lead to blindness.
Zovirax may be taken orally before infection occurs; Zovirax should be taken when itching or pain occurs, usually before eruptions.
Sexual partners need to be told that patient has herpes, they can become infected; condoms must be worn to prevent infections.
Don't touch lesions to avoid spreading infection to new sites.
Report sore throat, fever, fatgiue to health care expert promptly.
Zovirax must be taken in equal intervals around the clock to maintain blood levels for duration of therapy.
Seek dental care during Zovirax treatment to prevent gingival hyperplasia.
The clinical procedures described and recommended in this website are based on research and consultation with nursing, medical, pharmaceutical and legal authorities.To the best of our knowledge, these procedures reflect currently accepted practice; nevertheless, they can't be considered absolute and universal recommendations.Our website's purpose is to inform your about the latest news and information about medications.We are not an online pharmacy or escrow service, we are just affiliated with online pharmacies.Trademarks used within this website remain the property of the individual trademark owners and the use of such trademark is intended only to identify products by their common name.
