Zovirax

Description

Zovirax

 

Zovirax is one of the best developments in the field of viral infectionstreatment. For more than 30 years, Zovirax has been the gold standard for antiviral therapy for simplex and genital herpes. The medicine can be used not only to alleviate the symptoms, but also to prevent the recurrence of diseases, caused by the herpes simplex virus.

Prescribing Information

The action mechanism of Zovirax lies in blocking the viruses reproduction. Penetrating into a virus-infected cell, Zovirax breaks the viral DNA chain. Thus, the drug exerts a harmful effect on the pathogens of viruses.

The objectives of Zovirax use are:

• decrease in the frequency and severity of herpes relapses;
• maintenance of adequate functioning of the immune system;
• reduction of the healing period of skin lesions, resulting from the herpes virus;
• decrease in the severity or a decrease in the duration of such symptoms, as itching, irritation, reddening of the skin.

In antiviral therapy, Zovirax can be used as tablets, capsules, oral suspension, injectable solution, cream or ointment.

Dosage

Dosage of oral or injectable forms of Zovirax depends on the patient’s age:

• for infants and children of 3 months to 12 years, a single dose of Zovirax is 10-20 mg per kilogram of weight. The medicine should be used 4-5 times a day;
• for children over 12 years of age and adults, the dosage of Zovirax is 200-800 mg 4-5 times a day.

Zovirax drugs for external use (ointment and cream) are the drugs of choice for the treatment of localized forms of herpetic infections. Applicationof the ointment or cream to the affected areas 5-6 times a day at intervals of 3-4 hours leads to a fast elimination of herpes manifestations on the skin and mucous membranes.

The total duration of the antiviral therapy with Zovirax is 3 to 10 days.

Interactions

With the systemic application of Zovirax with Probenecid, the half-life of both drugs is prolonged. No clinically significant drug interactions have been identifiedwith topical application of Zovirax.

Side effects

Possible side effects of the antiviral therapy with Zovirax may be nausea, vomiting, headache, skin allergic reactions, or increased activity of liver enzymes.

In local application of Zovirax,  congestion, slight dryness or peeling of the skinin rare cases, there may be. In addition, the introduction of the active substance Acyclovir in the subcutaneous tissue can cause a local inflammatory reaction.

Tips

A few tips on when to start the antiviral therapy with Zovirax and how to increase its effectiveness:

The earlier people begin the antiviral therapy, the higher the effectiveness of Zovirax. Therefore, the use of the drug should begin on the first day of the development of clinical manifestations of viral herpes;

In extensive skin lesions or frequent recurrences of viral herpes, topical application of Zovirax can be combined with a systemic one;

To increase the effectiveness of the antiviral therapy together with Zovirax, you can use immunoglobulin (Pentaglobin, Sandoglobin, Immunovinin) or interferon (Infergen, Extavia, and Plegridy).