Aciclovir is a synthetic compound used to treat certain types of viral infections. It does not cure viral infections but instead treats symptoms; lessening the severity and duration, and in some cases preventing recurrent episodes altogether.

Since the introduction of Aciclovir in 1983 it has become the widely prescribed antiviral medication in the world.

Who Uses Aciclovir?

Aciclovir is most frequently prescribed for treatment of:

• Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections
• Chickenpox
• Shingles
• Epstein Barr Virus
• Cytomegalovirus
• Genital Herpes episodes

In cream form Aciclovir may also be used to treat cold sores on the lips or face.

How Does it Work?

Aciclovir interacts with an enzyme found in certain types of viruses, which interferes with the ability of the virus to replicate and thrive. In other words, Aciclovir helps suppress the virus so the immune system can better combat the outbreak.

Some viral infections, such as genital herpes, are incurable. Aciclovir will lessen the severity and duration of outbreaks but will not cure the infection.

How is it Taken?

Aciclovir is available as a capsule, tablet, liquid form, and cream.

Aciclovir is not absorbed into the bloodstream very well, so it may need to be taken as often as 5 times a day. Frequency and dosage strength will vary widely between patients and depends on the condition being treated. Physician instructions should be followed carefully for best results.

Patients treating recurrent episodes typically have the medication on hand and begin taking it as soon as symptoms are noticed. Treatment may continue for several days or weeks depending the condition being treated and severity of the outbreak.

For other viral infections this medication may be taken for weeks or months at a stretch regardless of symptoms.

It is important to stay hydrated while taking Aciclovir to maximize effectiveness and mitigate potential side effects.

Ingredients:

Active ingredient: aciclovir

Inactive ingredients, capsules: sodium lauryl sulfate, lactose, corn starch, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, gelatin, FD&C Blue No. 2

Inactive ingredients, tablets: povidone, magnesium stearate, sodium starch glycolate, microcrystalline cellulose, FD&C Blue No. 2

Patients with known hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients in Aciclovir should not take this product. Aciclovir get capsules may contain lactose.

Adverse Effects:

Aciclovir is a remarkably safe medication. Side effects are uncommon and usually very mild:

• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Mild confusion
• Lymphadenopathy
• Itchy skin

There is a risk in patients with kidney disease that use of Aciclovir may cause further kidney damage.

In rare cases Aciclovir may lower white blood cell counts in some patients.

There are no known adverse effects on nursing or unborn babies associated with Aciclovir use; however, as with any medication, a physician should be consulted and the product should be used only if the benefits outweigh the risks.

Contraindications and Interactions:

Patients with a history of kidney disease or impairment should use this medication with caution and be alert to any symptoms of kidney trouble.

Aciclovir is known to interact with certain other medications. It is important that the prescribing physician is made aware of all medications, including non-prescription, being taken, as well as any other medical conditions.

Patients should read the information provided with the medication for a complete list of possible adverse effects and interactions prior to taking this or any other medication.

Why Aciclovir?

As mentioned above, Aciclovir is the most widely prescribed antiviral medication in the world. Through decades of widespread use it has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for alleviating the symptoms of viral infections.

While not all viral infections can be cured, with Aciclovir outbreaks can be confidently and effectively managed.

What ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream is used for

ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream contains the active ingredient aciclovir. Aciclovir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals, used for treating infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus.

ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream is used to treat cold sores on the lips and face. Cold sores are caused by Herpes simplex virus infection. ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream does not get rid of Herpes simplex virus infection from your body, so it cannot prevent cold sores from coming back. It does, however, reduce the severity and duration of cold sore symptoms when they appear.

You should only use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream if your doctor has already told you that your sores are caused by the Herpes simplex virus.

You can buy ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream from your pharmacist as a Pharmacy Only Medicine.

Before you use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream

When you must not use it

Do not use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream if:

• You have had an allergic reaction before to aciclovir or to any of the ingredients in ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream listed at the end of this leaflet.
• You have had an allergic reaction before to propylene glycol, an inactive ingredient contained in a number of products applied to the skin, including ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream.
• The packaging is torn or shows signs of interference, or the tube seal or pump dispenser looks damaged in any way.
• The expiry date on the packaging has passed. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

Before you start using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• You are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.
• You are allergic to any other medicines, foods, dyes or preservatives.
• You have an underlying condition, which might have weakened your immune system, such as HIV infection, or bone marrow or organ transplant.

If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, please do so before using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream.

Taking other medicines

Some medicines may affect the way others work.

As yet there are no medicines known which affect the way ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream works, or which are affected by ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream. However, you should not mix this medicine with other creams, lotions or ointments and apply them to the affected area(s).

Using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream

Use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.

Instructions on how to use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream are supplied on the pharmacist's label on the packaging.

Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area (s) five times a day for five days. You can use the cream every four hours and miss applying it in the middle of the night.

Use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream as soon as the first symptoms of a cold sore appear, such as burning, tingling or itching.

If your symptoms do not improve after five days, you can use it for a further five days. If your cold sores don't heal after 10 days of treatment with ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream, you should tell your doctor.

Never use the cream more often or for longer than recommended by your doctor or pharmacist.

If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

If you forget to use it

If you forget to use the cream at any time, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the cream to be used, skip the missed application and go back to your normal routine of using it.

In case of an overdose

Overdosing with ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream when it is applied to the skin is unlikely. However, if you think that someone has accidentally swallowed the cream, contact your doctor or the National Poisons Information Centre (03-474 7000), or go to your nearest accident and emergency centre. Do this even if there are no signs of poisoning or discomfort.

While you are using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream

Things you must do

Use your ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream for at least five days, even if your cold sores appear to have gone away sooner, otherwise they could return very quickly.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you become pregnant while using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream.

Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not used ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream exactly as instructed. Otherwise, your doctor or pharmacist may think it is not working for you and recommend a change of medicine unnecessarily.

Tell your doctor if you feel that ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream is not helping your condition.

You should wash your hands thoroughly before and after applying ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream. Avoid rubbing your cold sores or touching them with a towel. These measures will help to avoid aggravating your own infection and reduce the risk of giving it to others.

Things you must not do

Do not mix ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream with other creams, ointments or lotions for application to the affected area(s).

Do not use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream more often or for longer than directed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream inside your mouth or near your eyes.

Do not use ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream to treat genital herpes infection.

Do not give ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream to anyone else even if they appear to have the same condition as you.

Do not put your face in close contact with others until your cold sores are healed. You may give the virus to others.

Side-Effects

All medicines can have unwanted side effects. Sometimes they may be serious, but often they are not.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

If you think that ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream is causing you to have an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Symptoms include:

• Severe skin rash, itching or hives
• Swelling of the face, lips, mouth or throat
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Fever
• Low blood pressure (feeling faint or dizzy).

ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream can occasionally cause temporary burning, stinging, itching, redness, drying and flaking at the area where it is applied. These side effects are usually mild. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if they continue to be troublesome.

As with many other products applied to the skin, allergic contact dermatitis (a hot, itchy rash where the cream has been applied) can occur very occasionally. This is usually caused by one of the inactive ingredients in ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream, rather than the active ingredient, aciclovir. If any of these symptoms occur and they worry you, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

After using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream

Storage

Always screw the cap or lid down tightly after using ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream. If the cream is exposed to air for too long it may not work as well.

Keep ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

Do not store ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream or any other medicine in a bathroom or near a sink.

Do not put ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream in a refrigerator.

Do not leave it in a car or on window sills.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream where young children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream, or the medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any cream that is left over.

Product description

What ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream looks like

ZOVIRAX Cold Sore Cream is a smooth white cream, and comes in either a 2g aluminium tube or a 2g pump dispenser pack.

Ingredients

Aciclovir, Poloxamer 407, White soft paraffin, Cetostearyl alcohol*, Liquid paraffin, Dimethicone, Sodium lauryl sulphate*, Propylene glycol, Purified water (*or emulsifying wax)

Further information

Your doctor and pharmacist are the best people to give you advice on the treatment of herpes simplex infection. You may also be able to find general information about its treatment from other sources, for example, books in public libraries and on the Internet.