Use of Zovirax (Acyclovir)
Patient information about the treatment of herpes, chickenpox, or shingles
is available with Zovirax (Acyclovir). Read it carefully before using
this medicine.
Zovirax (Acyclovir) is best used as soon as possible after the symptoms
of herpes infection or shingles (for example, pain, burning, blisters)
begin to appear.
If you are taking Zovirax (Acyclovir) for the treatment of chickenpox
, it is best to start taking Zovirax (Acyclovir) as soon as possible after
the first sign of the chickenpox rash, usually within one day.
Zovirax (Acyclovir) capsules, tablets, and oral suspension may be taken
with meals or on an empty stomach.
Zovirax (Acyclovir) is best taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.
If you are using Zovirax (Acyclovir) oral suspension, use a specially
marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately.
The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
To help clear up your herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles, keep
taking Zovirax (Acyclovir) for the full time of treatment, even if your
symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do not miss any doses. However,
do not use Zovirax (Acyclovir) more often or for a longer time than your
doctor ordered.
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Dose of Zovirax (Acyclovir)
The dose of Zovirax (Acyclovir) will be different for different patients.
Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following
information includes only the average doses of Zovirax (Acyclovir). Your
dose may be different if you have kidney disease. If your dose is different,
do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The number of capsules or tablets or teaspoonfuls of suspension of Zovirax
(Acyclovir) that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also,
the number of doses of Zovirax (Acyclovir) you take each day, the time
allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend
on the medical problem for which you are taking Zovirax (Acyclovir).
For oral dosage forms of Zovirax (Acyclovir) (capsules, oral suspension,
or tablets):
For treatment of genital herpes:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—200 milligrams (mg)
of Zovirax (Acyclovir) five times a day for ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by
the doctor.
For prevention of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes infections:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—200 to 400 mg of Zovirax
(Acyclovir) two to five times a day for five days or up to twelve months,
depending on how often your outbreaks of infection occur.
Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by
the doctor.
For treatment of chickenpox:
Adults and children who weigh over 88 pounds (40 kilograms)—800
mg of Zovirax (Acyclovir) four times a day for five days.
Children 2 years of age and older and weighing 88 pounds (40 kilograms)
or less—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by the
doctor. The usual dose is 20 mg of Zovirax (Acyclovir) per kilogram (kg)
of body weight, up to 800 mg, four times a day for five days.
Children up to 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by
the doctor.
For treatment of shingles:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—800 mg of Zovirax
(Acyclovir) five times a day for seven to ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by
the doctor.
For injection dosage form:
For treatment of herpes of the brain, genitals, or mucous membranes,
or for the treatment of shingles:
Adults and children 12 years of age and older—Dose is based on body
weight and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 5 to 10
mg of Zovirax (Acyclovir) per kg (2.3 to 4.5 mg per pound) of body weight,
injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period, and repeated
every eight hours for five to ten days.
Children up to 12 years of age—Dose is based on body weight and
must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg to 20 mg of
Zovirax (Acyclovir) per kg (4.5 mg to 9.1 mg per pound) of body weight,
injected slowly into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated
every eight hours for seven to ten days.
For treatment of widespread herpes virus infection in newborns:
Infants from birth to 3 months of age—Dose is based on body weight
and must be determined by the doctor. The usual dose is 10 mg of Zovirax
(Acyclovir) per kg (4.5 mg per pound) of body weight, injected slowly
into a vein over at least a one-hour period and repeated every eight hours
for ten days.
Storage of Zovirax (Acyclovir)
Keep out of the reach of children.
Store away from heat and direct light.
Do not store the capsule or tablet form of Zovirax (Acyclovir) in the
bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture
may cause the medicine to break down.
Do not keep outdated of Zovirax (Acyclovir) or of Zovirax (Acyclovir)
no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach
of children.
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Precautions While Using Zovirax (Acyclovir)
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become
worse, check with your doctor. The areas affected by herpes, chickenpox,
or shingles should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Also, wear loose-fitting
clothing to avoid irritating the sores (blisters).
It is important to remember that of Zovirax (Acyclovir) will not keep
you from spreading herpes to others.
Herpes infection of the genitals can be caught from or spread to your
partner during any sexual activity. Even though you may get herpes if
your partner has no symptoms, the infection is more likely to be spread
if sores are present. This is true until the sores are completely healed
and the scabs have fallen off. Therefore, it is best to avoid any sexual
activity if either you or your sexual partner has any symptoms of herpes.
The use of a latex condom (“rubber”') may help prevent the
spread of herpes. However, spermicidal (sperm-killing) jelly or a diaphragm
will probably not help.
Side Effects of of Zovirax (Acyclovir)
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects
occur while taking Zovirax (Acyclovir) :
Less common
Abdominal or stomach pain; decreased frequency of urination or amount
of urine; increased thirst; loss of appetite; nausea or vomiting; unusual
tiredness or weakness
Rare
Black, tarry stools; blood in urine or stools; chills, fever, or sore
throat; confusion; convulsions (seizures); hallucinations (seeing, hearing,
or feeling things that are not there); hives; pinpoint red spots on skin;
trembling; unusual bleeding or bruising
Frequency not determined
Bleeding or oozing from puncture sites or mucous membranes (bowel, mouth,
nose, or urinary bladder), continuing; blistering, peeling, or loosening
of skin; bluish coloring, especially of the hands and feet; blurred vision;
bruising at the place of injection; changes in facial skin color; changes
in vision; clumsiness; coughing; decreased consciousness; difficulty in
breathing or swallowing; dizziness or feeling faint, severe ; fast heartbeat;
irritability ; itching or skin rash; large hive-like swelling on face,
eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs; mood or
mental changes; muscle cramps, pain, or weakness; pale skin; red or irritated
eyes; sense of agitation or uneasiness; shakiness and unsteady walk; sores,
ulcers, or white spots in mouth or on lips; swelling of eyelids, face,
feet, hands, lower legs or lips; swollen, painful, or tender lymph nodes
(glands) in neck, armpit, or groin; unsteadiness or other problems with
muscle control or coordination; yellow eyes or skin
Other side effects may occur while using Zovirax (Acyclovir) that usually
do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment
as your body adjusts to the of Zovirax (Acyclovir). However, check with
your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
More common
Especially with high doses General feeling of discomfort or illness
Less common
Especially seen with long-term use or high doses Diarrhea; headache
Frequency not determined
Burning, prickling, or tingling sensations; drowsiness; loss of hair
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients.
If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Additional Information
Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience
may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although not
specifically included in product labeling, acyclovir by injection is used
in certain patients with the following medical conditions:
Herpes simplex (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with
a weak immune system
Herpes zoster infections of the eye
Shingles (for prevention of repeated infections) in people with a weak
immune system.
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