Zovirax Cream 5%
ZOVIRAX® CREAM 5% w/w/ACICLOVIR 5%w/w CREAM (Aciclovir)
Patient Information Leaflet
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you.
• Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
• If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
• This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.
• If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet, see section 4.
Your medicine is known as the above names but will be referred to as Zovirax in this leaflet.
In this leaflet:
1. What Zovirax is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you use Zovirax
3. How to use Zovirax
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Zovirax
6. Contents of the pack and other information
1. What Zovirax is and what it is used for
Zovirax contains a medicine called aciclovir. This belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It is used to treat cold sores and genital infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses that cause cold sores or genital herpes.
2. What you need to know before you use Zovirax
Do not use Zovirax if:
• you are allergic (hypersensitive) to aciclovir, valaciclovir, propylene glycol or any of the other ingredients (listed in Section 6).
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Zovirax.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Zovirax if:
• you have a condition where your immune system works less well and your body is less able to fight infections (e.g. if you have HIV or AIDS or if you have had a bone marrow transplant).
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Zovirax.
Zovirax Cream is not for use in the mouth, eyes or the vagina.
Zovirax Cream may cause skin irritation.
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Zovirax.
Other medicines and Zovirax
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without prescription, including herbal medicines.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using any medicine.
3. How to use Zovirax
Always use Zovirax exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Applying the cream
• Zovirax Cream is not for use in your mouth, eyes or the vagina.
• You should not mix Zovirax with anything before you use it, not even water.
• Always wash your hands before and after you use the cream.
Adults and children
• Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area five times a day.
• You should space each application of Zovirax by four hours. Suggested times are: 7am, 11am,
3pm, 7pm and 11pm.
• If your cold sore has not healed after 4 days, or your genital herpes sore has not healed after 5 days, you may use the cream for 5 more days.
• If the affected area has still not healed after this, stop using the cream and tell your doctor.
If you use more Zovirax than you should
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you use too much Zovirax. Zovirax Cream is for use on the skin, if you swallow any talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use Zovirax
• If you forget to use Zovirax, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it is nearly time for your next application, skip the missed application.
• Do not use a double application to make up for a forgotten application.
4. Possible side effects
Like all medicines, Zovirax can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Allergic reactions (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)
If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking Zovirax and see a doctor straight away. The signs may include:
• rash, itching or hives on your skin
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue or other parts of your body
• shortness of breath, wheezing or having trouble breathing
• unexplained fever and feeling faint, especially when standing up.
Other side effects include:
Uncommon (affects less than 1 in 100 people)
• a burning or stinging feeling after applying the cream that goes away
• mild drying or flaking of your skin
• itching.
Rare (affects less than 1 in 1,000 people)
• redness of your skin
• skin rash.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Reporting of side effects
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.
You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.
By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. How to store Zovirax
• Zovirax cream 5% w/w/Aciclovir 5%w/w cream should be stored below 25°C. Keep away from direct heat. Do not store in a refrigerator. Replace the lid after each time you have used the cream.
• Do not use after the expiry date printed on the label on the tube or on the carton. The expiry date (Exp.) refers to the last day of that month.
• KEEP OUT OF THE SIGHT AND REACH OF CHILDREN
• If your doctor tells you to stop using the cream, please take it back to the pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep the cream if your doctor tells you to.
• If the cream becomes discoloured, or shows any other signs of deterioration, you should seek the advice of your pharmacist who will advise you what to do.
• Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help protect the environment.
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Your medicine is called Zovirax cream 5% w/w/Aciclovir 5%w/w cream. It contains the active ingredient Aciclovir 5%w/w in a white cream.
Zovirax cream 5% w/w/Aciclovir 5%w/w cream also contains the following ingredients:
poloxamer 407, cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauryl sulphate, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, propylene
glycol, dimeticone 20, arlacel 165y and purified water.
Zovirax cream 5% w/w/Aciclovir 5%w/w cream is available in a tube of 2g.
POM PL No: 6464/0245
This product is manufactured by Glaxo Wellcome Operations, Barnard Castle, England and is procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product licence holder:
Waymade plc, Miles Gray Road, Basildon Essex SS14 3FR
Leaflet revision and issue date (Ref.) 4.7.2014
Zovirax is a registered trademark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies