Patient leaflet - ACICLOVIR 5%W/W CREAM, ZOVIRAX CREAM
Zovirax® cream
(aciclovir)
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.
The name of your medicine is Zovirax cream but will be referred to as Zovirax throughout 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 is not for use in the mouth, eyes or the vagina. Zovirax 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.
Zovirax Contains:
Cetostearyl alcohol ; The excipient cetostearyl alcohol can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis)
Propylene glycol ; this medicine contains 400mg of propylene glycol per gram of product.
Propylene glycol may cause skin irritation. Do not use this medicine in babies less than 4 weeks old with open wounds or large areas of broken or damaged skin (such as burns) without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Sodium laurilsulfate; this medicine contains 7.5mg of sodium laurilsulfate per gram of product. Sodium laurilsulfate may cause local skin reactions (such as stinging or burning sensation) or increase skin reactions caused by other products when applied on the same area.
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 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.
- 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 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: or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
5. how to store zovirax
If the cream becomes discoloured or shows any signs of deterioration, seek the advice of your pharmacist.
Remember if your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, return any unused medicine to your pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep this medicine if your doctor tells you to.
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
What Zovirax contains
The active ingredient in the Zovirax is aciclovir.
The cream contains 5%w/w acyclovir. The other ingredients are poloxamer 407 cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauril sulfate, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, arlacel 165, propylene glycol, purified water, dimeticone 20.
What Zovirax looks like and contents of the pack
Each carton contains a 2g tube of Zovirax. The aluminium tube has a screw cap and contains a smooth, white to off-white cream.
Manufactured by: Glaxo Wellcome Operations, Barnard Castle, UK.
OR
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG, Barthstrasse 4, 80339 Munich, Germany.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
B&S Healthcare, Unit 4, Bradfield Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 0NU, UK.
Zovirax ®cream, PL 18799/2229
Leaflet date: 11.03.2021 POM I
Zovirax is a registered trademark of the Glaxo Group Limited.
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read?
Call 0208 515 3763 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not refrigerate.
Store in the original container.
Do not use Zovirax if more than one month has passed since you first opened the tube.
Do not use the cream after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and tube labels after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Package leaflet: Information for the user
Aciclovir 5%w/w Cream
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.
The name of your medicine is Aciclovir 5%w/w cream but will be referred to as Aciclovir throughout this leaflet.
In this leaflet:
-
1. What Aciclovir is and what it is used for
-
2. What you need to know before you use Aciclovir
-
3. How to use Aciclovir
-
4. Possible side effects
-
5. How to store Aciclovir
-
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Aciclovir is not for use in the mouth, eyes or the vagina. Aciclovir may cause skin irritation.
If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Aciclovir.
Other medicines and Aciclovir
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.
Aciclovir Contains:
Cetostearyl alcohol ; The excipient cetostearyl alcohol can cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis)
Propylene glycol ; this medicine contains 400mg of propylene glycol per gram of product.
Propylene glycol may cause skin irritation. Do not use this medicine in babies less than 4 weeks old with open wounds or large areas of broken or damaged skin (such as burns) without talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Sodium laurilsulfate; this medicine contains 7.5mg of sodium laurilsulfate per gram of product.
Sodium laurilsulfate may cause local skin reactions (such as stinging or burning sensation) or increase skin reactions caused by other products when applied on the same area.
1. what aciclovir is and what it is used for
Aciclovir 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 aciclovir
Do not use Aciclovir 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 Aciclovir.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using Aciclovir 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 Aciclovir.
Always use Aciclovir exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Applying the cream
- Aciclovir is not for use in your mouth, eyes or the vagina.
- You should not mix Aciclovir with anything before you use it, not even water.
- Always wash your hands before and after you use the cream.
- Apply a thin layer of cream to the affected area five times a day.
- You should space each application of Aciclovir 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 Aciclovir than you should Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you use too much Aciclovir. Aciclovir is for use on the skin, if you swallow any talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
If you forget to use Aciclovir
- If you forget to use Aciclovir, 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, Aciclovir 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 Aciclovir 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.
5. how to store aciclovir
Store in the original container.
Do not use Aciclovir if more than one month has passed since you first opened the tube.
Do not use the cream after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and tube labels after ‘Exp’. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
If the cream becomes discoloured or shows any signs of deterioration, seek the advice of your pharmacist.
Remember if your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine, return any unused medicine to your pharmacist for safe disposal. Only keep this medicine if your doctor tells you to.
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
What Aciclovir contains
The active ingredient is the Aciclovir.
The cream contains 5%w/w aciclovir.
The other ingredients are poloxamer 407 cetostearyl alcohol, sodium lauril sulfate, white soft paraffin, liquid paraffin, arlacel 165, propylene glycol, purified water, dimeticone 20.
What Aciclovir looks like and contents of the pack
Each carton contains a 2g tube of Aciclovir. The aluminium tube has a screw cap and contains a smooth, white to off-white cream.
Manufactured by: Glaxo Wellcome Operations, Barnard Castle, UK.
OR
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare GmbH & Co. KG, Barthstrasse 4, 80339 Munich, Germany.
Procured from within the EU and repackaged by the Product Licence holder:
B&S Healthcare, Unit 4, Bradfield Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 0NU, UK.
Aciclovir5%w/w Cream, PL 18799/2229
Leaflet date: 11.03.2021 POM I
Blind or partially sighted?
Is this leaflet hard to see or read?
Call 0208 515 3763 to obtain the leaflet in a format suitable for you.
Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
Do not store above 25°C.
Do not refrigerate.