Zovirax
Zovirax is a medicine that stops certain viruses from growing, helping to treat and prevent infections like cold sores, genital herpes, chickenpox, and shingles.
Form
tabletti
Strength
200 mg
Active Ingredient
Aciclovir
Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited
How to Use
Dosage
Take one 200 mg tablet five times a day, with about 4 hours between doses, during waking hours.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with water. Always follow your doctor's instructions.
Important
Do not take more than 4000 mg (five 800 mg tablets) in one day, unless your doctor tells you to.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Dizziness
- •Feeling sick (nausea), being sick (vomiting), diarrhea, stomach pain
- •Itching, skin rashes (which can be sensitive to light)
- •Feeling tired, fever
- •Hives (itchy red bumps on the skin)
- •Hair loss
RARE
- •Trouble breathing
- •Temporary changes in liver blood tests
- •Sudden swelling of the skin, lips, tongue, or other body parts (angioedema)
- •Changes in kidney blood tests
- •Changes in blood cell counts (red, white, platelets)
- •Feeling restless, confused, shaky, problems with movement or speech, seeing or hearing things that aren't there (hallucinations), severe mental changes, seizures, feeling very sleepy, brain problems, coma (These are very rare and often happen to people with kidney issues)
- •Liver infection, yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Sudden kidney damage, kidney pain
Important Warnings
- Do not take Zovirax if you are allergic to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- If you have kidney problems or are older, it's very important to drink plenty of water while taking this medicine.
- In rare cases, Zovirax can cause a severe allergic reaction. If your face or lips swell, or you have trouble breathing, get medical help right away.
- Zovirax 200 mg tablets contain lactose. If your doctor has told you that you cannot tolerate some sugars, talk to them before taking this medicine.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Reduce the dose and/or increase the dosing interval in severe renal impairment. (updated 4.12.2023)