Zovirax
Zovirax is a medicine that contains aciclovir, an antiviral drug, which works by stopping certain viruses from growing in your body.
Form
oraalisuspensio
Strength
80 mg/ml
Active Ingredient
Aciclovir
Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline Trading Services Limited
How to Use
Dosage
For adults, the typical dose is 200 mg (5 ml of 40 mg/ml or 2.5 ml of 80 mg/ml oral suspension).
Method
Take this dose five times a day, about every four hours while you are awake, for five days. Do not dilute the oral suspension; use the provided measuring device.
Important
The maximum daily dose can be up to 4000 mg (800 mg taken five times a day) for certain conditions.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache, dizziness
- •Feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain
- •Itching, skin rashes (including sensitivity to light)
- •Tiredness, fever
RARE
- •Hives (itchy rash), hair loss (can also be due to illness)
- •Shortness of breath
- •Temporary increases in liver test results (bilirubin and liver enzymes), sudden swelling of skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs (angioedema), increases in blood urea and creatinine levels (kidney function tests)
- •Decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
- •Agitation, confusion, tremors, problems with muscle coordination, speech difficulties, hallucinations, psychotic symptoms, convulsions (seizures), drowsiness, brain disease (encephalopathy), coma. These effects usually go away on their own and are most common in patients with kidney problems or other risk factors.
- •Liver inflammation (hepatitis), yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice), sudden kidney damage, kidney pain.
Important Warnings
- Do not use Zovirax if you are allergic to aciclovir, valaciclovir, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- If you have kidney problems, make sure you drink enough fluids while taking this medicine. This is especially important for elderly patients.
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning to have a baby, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
- Zovirax oral suspension contains propyl parahydroxybenzoate and methyl parahydroxybenzoate, which may cause allergic reactions (possibly delayed).
- The 80 mg/ml Zovirax oral suspension contains benzyl alcohol, which may cause allergic reactions and severe breathing problems in very young children. Do not give to newborns (under 4 weeks old) without a doctor's advice, and avoid use for more than one week in children under 3 years unless advised by a doctor.
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)