Zovirax Cream is indicated for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus infections of the skin including initial and recurrent genital herpes and herpes labialis.

ZOVIRAX DRUG INFO

Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes healing.

Topical acyclovir does not prevent the recurrence of sores but may decrease pain and itching if applied when the earliest symptoms first appear. Oral acyclovir decreases the frequency and severity of recurrent sores, but it is used only by people with severe herpes infections because of possible adverse effects.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Acyclovir comes as an ointment for use on the skin and as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication as soon as possible after symptoms appear.

Clean and dry the skin area before applying the ointment. Wear protective gloves when applying it to prevent the spread of infection. Rub the ointment in gently. Use enough ointment to cover all sores completely. Do not apply acyclovir ointment to the eyes.

Shake the liquid well before each use to mix the medication evenly.

Continue to take acyclovir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking acyclovir without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking acyclovir,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir (Valtrex), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially probenecid (Benemid), zidovudine (Retrovir, AZT), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney disease, problems with your immune system, human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking acyclovir, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Acyclovir may cause an upset stomach. Take acyclovir with food or milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

If you are using tablets, capsules, or liquid, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

If you are using ointment, apply it as soon as you remember and apply further doses at your regular interval (e.g., every 3 hours) until you go to bed.

However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of either the ointment or oral medication to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from acyclovir are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• burning, stinging, itching, or rash when ointment is applied
• headache
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea or loose stools

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• severe rash
• severe itching
• fever
• confusion
• yellowness of the skin or eyes
• blood in the urine
• stomach pain

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to acyclovir.

Do not have sexual intercourse when you can see the genital herpes lesions. However, genital herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish topical acyclovir, call your doctor.

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Valacyclovir is an antiviral agent used in the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) or genital herpes.

VALTREX DRUG INFO

VALACYCLOVIR-ORAL (val-uh-SYE-klo-veer)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Valtrex

USES: Valacyclovir is an antiviral agent used in the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) or genital herpes.

OTHER USES: This medication may also be used for cold sores (herpes simplex).

HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as directed. Take all this medication as prescribed. Do not skip doses or stop taking this without your doctor’s approval. Stopping therapy too soon may result in ineffective treatment. For best results, take this medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night.

SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, stomach pain, or dizziness may occur the first several days as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if your condition does not appear to improve or you experience a worsening of symptoms while taking this medication. Use caution operating machinery or participating in activities requiring alertness if this medication makes you feel dizzy. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor if you have: kidney disease, blood disorders, any allergies. Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Tell your doctor of any over-the-counter or prescription medication you may take including: cimetidine, probenecid. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include sluggishness, change in amount of urine, loss of consciousness, or seizures.

NOTES: This medication is most effective if it is started within 48 hours of when the rash first appears.

MISSED DOSE: Try to take each dose at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store this medication at room temperature between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 to 25 degrees C) away from heat and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.

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Famciclovir is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

FAMVIR DRUG INFO

Famciclovir is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How should this medicine be used?

Famciclovir comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day) for 7 days to treat shingles. To treat genital herpes it is usually taken twice a day for 5 days. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take famciclovir exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication as soon as possible after symptoms appear.

Continue to take famciclovir even if you feel well. Do not stop taking famciclovir without talking to your doctor.

What special precautions should I follow?

Before taking famciclovir,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to famciclovir, acyclovir (Zovirax), or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially digoxin (Lanoxin), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, problems with your immune system, human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking famciclovir, call your doctor.

What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Famciclovir may cause an upset stomach. Take famciclovir with food or milk.

What should I do if I forget a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

What side effects can this medication cause?

Although side effects from famciclovir are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• headache
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea or loose stools

If you experience any of the following side effects, call your doctor immediately:

• rash
• itching

What storage conditions are needed for this medicine?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

In case of emergency/overdose

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.

What other information should I know?

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor will order certain lab tests to check your response to famciclovir.

Do not have sexual intercourse when you can see the genital herpes lesions. However, genital herpes can be spread even when there are no symptoms.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. If you still have symptoms of infection after you finish the famciclovir, call your doctor.

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This medication is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, mouth, mucous membranes, genital herpes, herpes zoster (shingles), and chickenpox in some individuals. This medication does not cure herpes, but relieves the pain and may make the infection clear faster.

ACYCLOVIR DRUG INFO

ACYCLOVIR – ORAL (ay-SYE-klo-veer)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Zovirax

USES: This medication is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, mouth, mucous membranes, genital herpes, herpes zoster (shingles), and chickenpox in some individuals. This medication does not cure herpes, but relieves the pain and may make the infection clear faster.

HOW TO USE: Begin taking this medication as soon as symptoms appear. Take this medication as directed. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Try to take the medication at evenly spaced intervals throughout the day and night. This will ensure a constant blood level of the medication and is most effective.

SIDE EFFECTS: This medication may cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness or weakness. These effects should disappear in a few days as your body adjusts to the medication. If they persist or become worse, inform your doctor. Notify your doctor if you experience: numbness or tingling of the hands or feet, leg pain, sore throat, skin rash, change in the amount of urine. An allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: This medication should be used cautiously during pregnancy only if clearly needed. It is not known if this medication appears in breast milk. Consult with your doctor before breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include sluggishness, change in amount of urine, loss of consciousness, or seizures.

NOTES: Avoid sexual activity while signs and symptoms of genital herpes are present to prevent infecting your partner. Inform your doctor if this medication does not appear to decrease the frequency or severity of recurrent infections.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not “double-up” the dose to catch up.

STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.

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