aciclovir
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about ZOVIRAX. It does not contain all of the available information.
Reading this leaflet does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking any medicine involves some risk. It is possible that all risks associated with this medicine might not have been detected, despite proper testing. Only your doctor or pharmacist is able to weigh up all of the relevant facts, and you should consult them if you have any queries.
If you have any concerns about taking ZOVIRAX ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this information. You may want to read it again.
This leaflet provides information about ZOVIRAX. The statements that are made in this leaflet cannot be applied to any other medicine, even those that are similar or appear to contain the same ingredients.
What ZOVIRAX is used for
ZOVIRAX is used for the treatment and management of genital herpes.
How does ZOVIRAX work?
Aciclovir (the active ingredient in ZOVIRAX) belongs to a group of medicines called “anti-virals”.
ZOVIRAX works by stopping the production of the herpes virus. This reduces the length and severity of an outbreak of herpes. ZOVIRAX can also be taken long term to reduce the number of herpes outbreaks in people who experience this condition often. ZOVIRAX does not get rid of the virus from your body.
Your doctor may, however, have prescribed ZOVIRAX for a different use to that described above.
If you have any questions about why you are taking ZOVIRAX ask your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to provide you with more information.
Before you take ZOVIRAX
ZOVIRAX is not suitable for everyone.
Be sure that your doctor knows about the following before you take ZOVIRAX:
- If you are allergic to:
- Aciclovir (the active ingredient in ZOVIRAX) or valaciclovir.
- Any other ingredient listed at the end of this leaflet.
- If you are pregnant, or become pregnant while using ZOVIRAX, or are breastfeeding.
- If you suffer from:
- A kidney or liver condition, or
- A blood condition, or
- A nerve disease.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medications, including any that you get without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and ZOVIRAX may interfere with each other. These include:
- medicines used to prevent gout or gouty arthritis such as probenecid.
- medicines used to treat gastric ulcers or reflux such as cimetidine.
- fluid or water tablets (diuretics)
- medicines used prevent rejection of transplanted organs such as mycophenolate mofetil.
These medicines may be affected by ZOVIRAX or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.
When you must not take ZOVIRAX
Do not take ZOVIRAX after the expiry date printed on the pack.
Do not take ZOVIRAX if the packaging shows signs of tampering
Do not take ZOVIRAX to treat any other conditions unless advised by your doctor.
Do not give ZOVIRAX to anyone else, even if their symptoms seem similar to yours.
Taking ZOVIRAX
Take ZOVIRAX as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Never change the dose yourself.
Your doctor and pharmacist will be able to tell you:
- how many tablets to take at each dose.
- how many doses to take each day.
- when to take each of your doses.
The label on the pack that the tablets were supplied in will give the same information. If there is something that you do not understand ask either your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of ZOVIRAX in the treatment of an outbreak of herpes is one 200 mg tablet every four hours while awake (a total of five tablets daily) for five or ten days. To reduce the frequency of outbreaks in the long term, the usual dose is one ZOVIRAX 200 mg tablet three times daily for up to six months. This dose may be varied by your doctor depending on the response. Your doctor may also vary the ZOVIRAX dosage for other medical reasons.
If you have any questions about the dose that you have been prescribed you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.
How to take ZOVIRAX
Your ZOVIRAX tablets may be swallowed whole with a glass of water, or dispersed in a quarter of a glass of water (about 50 mL) and then swallowed.
If you forget to take your dose
If you have just missed your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue as before.
If you have forgotten to take one dose of ZOVIRAX and it is almost time to take your next scheduled dose, then skip the dose you have missed, and continue taking your ZOVIRAX as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have forgotten to take more than one dose contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
In case of overdose
Immediately contact your doctor or Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else may have taken too much ZOVIRAX. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
While you are taking ZOVIRAX
Drink plenty of fluids.
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you whether there are any special instructions while you are taking ZOVIRAX.
See your doctor if you feel that your condition is not improving or getting worse.
Driving and using machines
Some side effects such as feeling drowsy or sleepy may impair your ability to concentrate and react. Make sure you are not affected before you drive or operate machinery
When to stop taking ZOVIRAX
Do not stop taking ZOVIRAX just because you feel better. It is important that you complete your course of tablets to effectively treat an outbreak of herpes, or to reduce further outbreaks if you are taking ZOVIRAX long term.
Your doctor will advise you when to stop taking ZOVIRAX. If you are unsure whether you should stop taking ZOVIRAX, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Side Effects
All medicines can have some side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not.
ZOVIRAX helps most people with genital herpes. In a few people it may have some unwanted side effects.
Be sure that your doctor or pharmacist knows as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking ZOVIRAX.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- Severe allergic reactions (rare). Signs include: itchy, bumpy rash (hives), swelling sometimes of mouth causing difficulties breathing, collapse. Contact your doctor immediately if you get these symptoms. Stop taking Zovirax.
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach pain, headache, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, fatigue, itching, skin reaction after sunlight exposure, and fever.
Less common side effects include:
- Hair loss, itchy, bumpy rash (urticaria).
- Weight loss, cramps, menstrual problems.
- Fast heart beat, fluid retention, shortness of breath, vein disorders, and swollen glands.
- Leg and joint pain.
- Medication taste, sore throat, eye disorders, skin rash.
- Liver disorders.
- Irritability, vertigo, difficulty sleeping, depression.
A small number of patients have had other unwanted effects after taking ZOVIRAX.
There is no evidence that ZOVIRAX is addictive.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
After taking ZOVIRAX
If your doctor advises you to stop taking ZOVIRAX ask your pharmacist what to do with any remaining tablets.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the pack that they were supplied in.
Keep ZOVIRAX in a cool, dark and dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store ZOVIRAX in the bathroom or near a sink. Heat and dampness may affect ZOVIRAX.
Keep ZOVIRAX, and all other medicines, where children cannot reach them.
Do not leave ZOVIRAX in the car on hot days.
Product description
What ZOVIRAX looks like
ZOVIRAX tablets are white, biconvex, round, film-coated tablets, branded GXCF3 on one face and plain on the other. They are available in packs of 25 and 90 tablets.
The information provided applies only to: Zovirax 200 mg tablets.
Ingredients
ZOVIRAX contains 200 mg of the active ingredient aciclovir.
ZOVIRAX also contains:
- cellulose-microcrystalline
- povidone
- sodium starch glycollate
- aluminium magnesium silicate
- magnesium stearate
- macrogol 8000
- Opadry Complete film coating system White Y-1-7000
Manufacturer
ZOVIRAX tablets are supplied in Australia by:
GlaxoSmithKline Australia Pty Ltd
Level 4, 436 Johnston Street
Abbotsford, Victoria, 3067
AUST R 51385
This leaflet was prepared on 6 September 2016.
Zovirax® is a registered trade mark of the GlaxoSmithKline group of companies.
© 2016 GSK group of companies. All rights reserved.
Version 6.0
Published by MIMS March 2017
