Zovirax,
manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline is probably best known as a cream used to treat Oral Herpes. Zovirax is
however also used to treat other types of Herpes such as Genital
Herpes, chicken pox and shingles and is also available in
tablets and fluids. It has been available for over a decade.

Zovirax contains Acyclovir which is an antiviral agent. It is
one of many brands of antiviral medicine containing Acyclovir but
Zovirax is one of the best known. Acyclovir was invented by the Nobel
Prize winners Gertrude Elion and George Hitchings.

Zovirax is not a cure for Herpes but it will treat the symptoms of Herpes
and reduce further outbreaks. Zovirax will reduce the duration, frequency
and severity of Herpes symptoms as well as reduce the risk of spreading.

Formulas

The following information is based on recommendations from
GlaxoSmithKline. If you have a prescription for Zovirax you should follow
your doctors advice. HerpesDoctor.com only provides guidelines.

Zovirax Cream

What's In It

Zovirax cream contains 5% Acyclovir. It can be used to treat Oral as well
as Genital Herpes and is non-prescription.

How Do You Use It

Start treatment as early as possible. There may be a tingling, burning
or irritation around the affected area prior to an outbreak. Apply the cream
5 times daily with 4 hour intervals (in the awake time, not at night) for 5 days.
The treatment may be continued for another 5 days if the symptoms haven't disappeared.
Only apply the cream on your skin, ie not inside the mouth or
genitals.

Precautions

As long as the cream is used as recommended, it is okay to use Zovirax
if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have other illnesses. Inform your doctor
before you start using Zovirax cream if you have any drug allergies.

There are some minor side effects of Zovirax. There may be a burning
or stinging after applying Zovirax. Some people may experience drying
or flaking of the skin as well as itching but this is not very common.

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

• Acyclovir

Inactive ingredients:

• Poloxamer 407
• Cetostearyl alcohol
• Sodium lauryl sulphate
• White soft parrafin
• Liquid paraffin
• Propylene glycol
• Purified water

Misc:

• Shelf-life: 3 years.
• Pack size: 2g or 10 g tubes.

Zovirax Double Strength Suspension

What Is It?

A fluid contains 400 mg of Acyclovir in 5 ml solution.

What's It For

Zovirax Double Strength Suspension is used to treat Herpes Simplex
and Varicella Herpes Zoster (chickenpox and shingles). It is a liquid
to be taken orally.

Treatment of Herpes Simplex

200 mg to be taken 5 times daily with 4 hour
intervals (in the awake time, not at night) for 5
days. Treatment should be started as early as possible.

Treatment of chickenpox:

• Children 6 years and over: 800 mg 4 times daily
• Children 2 to 6 years:400 mg 4 times daily
• Children under 2 years: 200 mg 4 times daily

Children should take Zovirax Double Strength Suspension for 5 days.

Treatment of shingles

800mg to be taken 5 times daily with 4 hours interval
(in the awake time, not at night) for 7 days. Treatment should be started as early
as possible. In the seniors, adequate hydration should be maintained.

Considerations

If you are pregnant or breast feeding you should inform your doctor
before starting a course of Zovirax Double strength suspension.

Ingredients:

• Sorbitol, 70%, non-crystallising EP
• Glycerol EP
• Dispersible cellulose BP
• Methyl parahydroxybenzoate EP
• Flavour, orange, 52.570/T HSE
• Purified water EP

Misc:

• Shelf-life: 3 years
• Available in 50 ml, 100 ml 175 ml and 350 ml bottles.

Zovirax Eye Ointment

What Is It?

An ointment containing 3% Acyclovir

What's It For

Opthalmic Ointment for the Treatment of Herpes Simplex Keratitis.

How To Use It

1 cm ribbon of ointment to be placed inside the lower conjunctival sac
five times a day with 4 hour intervals (in the awake time, not at night)
continuing for 3 days after complete healing.

Possible Side Effects

You may feel a little sting when you apply the ointment but normally
there are no particular side effects from Zovirax Eye Ointment. If you
have any drug allergies, you should inform your doctor.

Ingredients:

• Active ingredient: Acyclovir
• Inactive ingredient: White petrolatum USP

Misc:

Shelf-life: 5 years

Zovirax IV

What It's For

For treating Herpes Simplex in immunocompromised patients and severe
initial Genital Herpes in the non-immunocompromised, via intravenous
injection. May also be used to treat Varicella Herpes Zoster, Herpes
Encephalitis and Herpes Simplex in newborns and infants under 3 months
old.

How It's Used

Zovirax IV should be administered as a slow intravenous infusion for
5 days (the duration can be adjusted according
to the patients response and condition). Treatment duration of Herpes
Encephalitis and newborns with Herpes Simplex is 10 days.

Dosage:

• Herpes Simplex or Varicella Herpes Zoster in adults:
  5 mg pr. kg bodyweight with 8 hour intervals
• Immunocompromised adults or herpes Encephalitis:
  10 mg pr. kg bodyweight with 8 hour intervals
• Children with Herpes Simplex: 250 mg p. square
  metre body surface with 8 hour intervals
• Immunocompromised children and children with Varicella
  Herpes Zoster or Herpes Encephalitis: 500 mg pr. square
  metre body surface with 8 hour intervals
• Newborns and uner3 months: 10 mg pr. kg bodyweight
  with 8 hour intervals (for 10 days)
• seniors: 25 to 50 ml pr. min at 5 or 10 mg pr. kg
  bodyweight with 12 or 24 hour intervals

Precautions

There are no particular precautions to the use of Zovirax IV other
than for patients with impaired renal function who may need adjustment
of the recommended dose to avoid build-up of Acyclovir in the body.

If you have any drug allergies or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you should inform your doctor. There are rarely any side effects of Zovirax
IV but the following have been reported:

• Nausea
• Vomitting
• Skin rash

Zovirax IV may not be administred by mouth and any unused solution
should be discarded as Zovirax IV is not preserved and therefore will
not keep.

Ingredients And Availability:

• Active ingredient: Acyclovir
• Inactive ingredient: Sodium hydroxide (used to adjust pH
• Shelf-life: 60 months
• Available in 250 mg and 500 mg vials

Dilution

The following guidelines are recommended for dilution
of Zovirax IV with either Water for Injections BP or Sodium
Chloride Intravenous Injection BP (0,9 %) for a solution contaning 25
mg Acyclovir pr. ml:

• For 250 mg vial, use 10 ml fluid
• For 2500 mg vial, use 20 ml fluid

Add the fluid to the vial an shake lightly and carefully to mix
properly. As Zovirax IV is not preserved, it is important to dilute
it under completely antiseptic conditions and discard any unused
solution.

Zovirax Suspension

What Is It

200 mg Acyclovir pr. 5 ml fluid

What's It For

Zovirax Suspension is for treating initial and recurrent outbreaks
of Herpes Simplex on the skin and mucous membranes. It can also be used to
suppress outbreaks of Genital and Oral Herpes and to treat the Varicella
Herpes Zoster outbreaks chickenpox and shingles.

How Is It Used

Treating Herpes Simplex: 200 mg 5 times daily with 4 hour intervals
(when awake) for 5 days which can be extended in severe cases. If the
patient is immunocompromised the dose may be doubled. Treatment should
be started as early as possible for best results.

Supressive Therapy

200 mg daily with 6 hour intervals (when awake)
for immunocompromised patients. Some patients may benefit from 400 mg
twice daily. The treatment should be stopped every 6 or 12 months to
monitor the effects.

Prevention of Herpes Simplex activation in immunocompromised
patients

200 mg 4 times daily with 6 hour intervals. The
duration of this treatment depends on the risk periods duration.

Treating shingles

800 mg 5 times daily with 4 hour intervals
(when awake) for 7 days. Treatment should be started as early as
possible. Make sure that the patient is sufficiently hydrated.

Treating and preventing outbreaks of Herpes Simplex in
immunocompromised children

Children over 2 years should be given
the same dose as adults and children under 2 years should be given
half this dose.

Treating chickenpox

Children over 6 years should have 800 mg 4 times
daily. Children between 2 and 6 should have 400 mg 4 times daily. Children
under 2 years should have 20 mg 4 times daily. The treatment should last
for 5 days.

Considerations

People with impaired renal function should have the dosage adjusted
to prevent build-up of Acyclovir in the body. If you are breast feeding,
pregnant, taking other types of medication or have ilnesses other than
Herpes you should inform your doctor. There are few and rare side effects
of taking Zovirax but these have been registered:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Headaches

Ingredients

• Active ingredient: Acyclovir
• Inactive ingredients:
• Sorbitol Solution, 70% non-crystallising
• Glycerol
• Dispersible cellulose
• Methyl parahydroxybenzoate
• Propyl parahydroxybenzoate
• Vanillin
• Purified water

Misc

Shelf-life: 3 years
• Available in glass bottles of 25 ml and 125 ml.

Zovirax 200 mg Tablets

What is it?

Tablets containing 200 mg Acyclovir each to be taken orally to
treat Herpes Simplex, suppressive therapy to prevent outbreaks
of Herpes Simplex and treatment of chickenpox and shingles caused
by Varicella Herpes Zoster.

How To Use It

The tablets should be either dissolved in water that you then drink
or swallowed whole with water.

Treatment of Herpes Simplex

GlaxoSmithKline recommends 200 mg Zovirax
to be taken 5 times daily with 4 hours intervals (in awake time, not at
night) for 5 days. In severe cases the duration of the treatment may be extended.
Immunocompromised patients may double the dose. Dosing should begin a soon
the first signs of an outbreak are seen.

Suppression of Herpes Simplex in immunocompromised patients

200 mg
to be taken 4 times daily with 6 hour intervals. Some patients may
benefit from 200 mg trice daily with 8 hour intervals. The treatment
should be stopped every 6 or 12 months to monitor the effect.

Treatment of shingles

800 mg should be taken 5 times daily with 4
hour intervals (in awake time, not at night) for 7
days. Treatment should be started as early as possible. Make sure the
patient is properly hydrated.

Treatment of Herpes Simplex in children

Children over 2 years
should get 800 mg, children under 2 years 400 mg, 5 times daily with
4 hour intervals (in awake time, not at night) for 7 days.

Treatment of chickenpox

Children over 6 years: 800 mg 4 times daily,
children between 2 and 5 years: 400 mg 4 times daily, under 2 years: 200
mg 4 times daily, all for 5 days.

Precautions

There are no special precautions to take unless you have impaired
renal function.

Zovirax Tablets 400 mg

What Is It?

400 mg Acyclovir in each tablet to be taken orally to treat and
suppress the Herpes Simplex outbreaks Genital Herpes and Oral Herpes
and treat the Varicella Herpes Zoster outbreaks chickenpox and
shingles.

How To Take It

The tablets should be either dissolved in water that you then drink
or swallowed whole with water.

Dosage

Treatment of Herpes Simplex in adults:

200 mg to be taken 5 times
daily with 4 hour intervals (when awake, not a night) for 5 days. The
duration may be extended in severe cases. Treatment should be started
as soon as there are symptoms.

Suppression of Herpes in immunocompromised patients

200 mg to
be taken 4 times daily with 6 hours intervals. Some patients may
benefit from 400 mg Zovirax twice a day with 12 hour intervals or 200
mg trice a day with 8 hour intervals. Treatment should be stopped
every 6 or 12 months to monitor the effects.

Treatment of shingles

800 mg 5 times a day with 4 hour intervals
(when awake, not at night) for 7 days. Treatment should be started as
early as possible.

Treatment for Herpes Simplex in children

Children over 2 years
should take adult doses and children under 2 years should take half
the adult dose.

Treatment of chickenpox: Children over 6 years

800 mg 4 times daily.
Children between 2 and 5: 400 mg 4 times daily. Children under 2 years:
200 mg 4 times daily. Treatment duration: 5 days.

Precautions

Patients should keep hydrated. If you have any drug allergies,
impaired renal function, you are pregnant or breast feeding you should
inform your doctor. There are rarely any side effects of Zovirax but
these have been reported:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Headache

If you experience any side effects you should contact a doctor.

Ingredients

• Active ingredient: Acyclovir
• Inactive ingredients:
• Microcrystalline cellulose
• Aluminium magnesium silicate
• Sodium starch glycollate
• Povidone. K30
• Magnesium stearate
• Iron oxide, red E172
• Industrial methylated spirit
• Purified water
• Ethanol (96%) or Absolute may be used as an alternative
  to industrial methylated spirit
• Colour concentrate Y-1-7000, White
• Methylated spirit
• Hypromellose
• Titanium dioxide
• Polyethylene glycol 400
• Polyethylene glycol 8000

Misc

• Shelf-life: 36 months
• Available in glass bottles or aluminium foil blister packs
  containing 56 tablets.

Zovirax 800 mg tablets

What is it?

Tablets containing 800 mg Acyclovir each to treat the Varicella
Herpes Zoster outbreaks chickenpox and shingles.

Dosage

800 mg Zovirax to be taken 5 times daily wi­th 4 hour intervals (when
awake, not at night) for 7 days. Treatment should start as soon as the
symptoms are visible.

Children: Over 6 years:

800 mg 4 times dally for 5 days. Tablets should be either dissolved in water and drunk or
swallowed whole with water. Make sure the patient is properly
hydrated.

Precautions

If you have any drug allergies or impaired renal function or if you are
pregnant or breast feeding you should inform your doctor. There are
rarely any side effects of Zovirax but these have been reported:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Skin rash
• Headache

If you experience any side effects you should contact a doctor.

Ingredients

• Active ingredient: Acyclovir
• Inactive ingredients:
• Microcrystalline Cellulose Ph Eur
• Aluminium Magnesium Silicate BP
• Sodium Starch Glycollate BP

Povidone (K30) Ph Eur

• Magnesium Stearate Ph Eur
• Filmcoat
• Hypromellose HSE
• Titanium Dioxide HSE
• Polyethylene glycol 400 HSE
• Polish
• Polyethylene Glycol 8000 NF

Misc

• Shelf-life: 36 months
• Aluminium foil blisterpack with 35 tablets
• Polypropylene container with polyethylene snap-on
  lid with 35 or 800 tablets
• Aluminium foil blister sample pack with 5 or 2 tablets
• Polypropylene container with polyethylene snap-on
  lid with 8000 tablets

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