Virasorb Cold Sore Cream – patient leaflet, side effects, dosage

1. What the medicine is for

Virasorb contains aciclovir which is an antiviral agent. It is used to treat cold sores on the lips and face.

2. Before you use this medicine

Do not use the medicine if you or your child have….

• An allergy to any of the ingredients listed in section 6.
• An allergy to valaciclovir.
• Do not use on sores inside your mouth, on the eyes or on your genitals.

Sores of this type may require other specific treatment. Talk to your doctor for advice if you are unsure.

Talk to your doctor if you or your child have….

• Severe cold sores.
• A weakened immune system (e.g. due to chemotherapy, radiotherapy treatments or illness).

• Any doubt that your sore is a cold sore.

  Pregnant or breastfeeding….

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine if you are pregnant, might be pregnant or are breastfeeding.

Important information about some of the ingredients

• This product contains cetyl alcohol which may cause local skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis).

  • This product contains 15% w/w propylene glycol (E1520) in each application which can cause skin irritations.

3. How to use this medicine

Apply it to the skin, on the lips and face only.

Adults, the elderly and children

• Start applying the cream as soon as you notice any symptoms such as tingling or smarting.
• Wash your hands before and after use to avoid making the cold sore worse or giving the infection to someone else.

Application

• Apply it preferably using a cotton bud. If one is not available use a clean finger. • Apply a thin layer to all the blisters and the surrounding area.

Length of treatment

• Apply five times a day, every four hours. • Use for five days. If your cold sore has not completely healed after this time carry on using for a further five days.
• If your cold sore has not healed after 10 days of treatment, stop using the cream and ask your doctor for advice.

If your cold sore gets worse at any time, talk to your doctor.

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If you swallow some or get cream in your eyes

If you accidentally swallow some, see a doctor straight away. Take the pack with you to show which medicine you have swallowed. If you get any cream in your eyes, wash it out with lots of cool water. If your eyes feel sore afterwards, tell your doctor.

4. Possible side effects

Like all medicines, Virasorb can have side effects, although these don’t affect everyone. Important side effects

If you think that you have any of the following side effects or symptoms, stop using this medicine immediately and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Allergic reactions (affects less than 1 in 10,000 people)

• 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.

Other possible side effects

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 you notice excessive skin irritation or any other side effect not included above, stop use and tell your doctor or pharmacist. They will tell you what to do.

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. 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 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. Storing this medicine

• Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
• Do not store above 25°C.
• Do not refrigerate.
• Do not use after the expiry date shown on the carton. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
• Medicine should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any unused medicine. These measures will help to protect the environment.

6. Further information What is in this medicine

The active ingredient is:

aciclovir 5%w/w.

The other ingredients are:

glyceryl monostearate, dimeticone, cetyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, propylene glycol (E1520), purified water. What the medicine looks like

Virasorb cream is a smooth white cream. It is supplied in 2g tubes.

Marketing authorisation holder and manufacturer

Thornton and Ross Ltd., Huddersfield, HD7 5QH, UK.

This leaflet was last revised in October 2020

Virasorb is a trade mark of Thornton and Ross Ltd.

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2g

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210x131mm flat (27x131mm folded)

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9pt 14pt

4 16.10.2020

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Updates for excipient guidelines. Virasorb Cold Sore Cream