Zovirax tablets contain Aciclovir, its active ingredient. It is an antiviral, used to treat cold sores, genital herpes and other infections caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is not a cure, it only decreases the severity and length of outbreaks and keeps new sores from forming.
Zovirax should not be used in case you are allergic to the ingredients of the tablet. The medicine should be taken only after consultation with a doctor.
There can be certain allergic reactions to the tablet, though it is rare. These include
- Itching, rash - Hives on skin - Shortness of breath - Difficulty in breathing - Swollen lips, face, tongue and other body parts - Dizziness - Headache - Stomach pains - Diarrhoea - Taste disorders - FeverIn rare situations you might experience side effects such as hallucinations, fits, paralysis, kidney or liver problems, weakness, drowsy feeling or a lack of coordination. Consult your doctor and seek medical attention at the soonest.
Your doctor’s instructions must be strictly followed while taking Zovirax. The tablet can either be dissolved in a glass of water and stirred before drinking or it can be swallowed whole with water.
To treat cold sores, the usual dosage is a 200 mg tablet taken five times a day, at 4 hourly intervals. The course is commonly prescribed for seven days.
To treat genital herpes, the usual dosage is a 200 mg tablet taken five times a day, at 4 hourly intervals, generally prescribed for five days, unless suggested otherwise by the doctor.
To stop the condition from recurring, the usual dosage is one 200 mg tablet taken every 6 hours.
If you are suffering from any kidney problems, drinking plenty of water during treatment with Zovirax is important. Talk to your doctor before taking Zovirax.
A slight overdose of Zovirax in usually not harmful, unless too much is taken over several days. The doctor must be seen at the earliest in such cases.
If you miss a dose, take it immediately when you remember it. If you remember your previous dose when it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose.
The active substance, Aciclovir, works by stopping the growth of viruses and by killing them. It is converted to a more active form inside cells that are infected with herpes simplex. The activated form works by blocking the action of the viral enzyme, which is needed for the virus to multiply and survive.
Usage of this drug differs, depending on the patient’s condition and must be administered only after a doctor consultation.
