Question 1

i had positive herpes and using standard medication like zovirax (acyclovir)  i retested after a year and result come back negative.so does it false to show?or?

Accepted Answer

False negative: My assumption is that the test was a false negative.  Once you have the herpes virus in your body, it never goes away.  This can be both the herpes virus that causes genital herpes, as well as the herpes virus that causes chickenpox, shingles, and cold sores.

Question 2

i am 75  who  just resrntly got  shingles. i have been taking zovirax and  acyclovir for 3weeks. are there any  complications or any side  effects for being on this medication longer then  it was prescribed.?  blisters now  went away , buti have  a very s

Accepted Answer

No: No side effects, but waste of money. No benefit from more than 1 week unless you have impaired immunity from a serious condition. Zovirax (acyclovir) and Acyclovir are 2 names for the same med. The cream is useless. The pill may help if started on the first or second day at 800 mg 5x a day for 7 days. Doxepin cream will relieve the pain.

Question 3

is zovirax (acyclovir) an over-the-counter medication or does it have to be prescribed by a doctor?

Accepted Answer

Acyclovir Rx only: There have been many failed tries to get Acyclovir to be an over the counter medication but in the us, it requires a prescription.  Primary adverse events with the agent are CNS side effects and rarely crystallization int he kidneys and therefore it needs to be monitored.

Question 4

is zovirax the suppressive drug for herpes ? how is it different from valtrex (valacyclovir) ?

Accepted Answer

Similar: Both are anti-viral medications made by different companies. For the most part, they work equally well. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is advantageous in that you need to take it less often.

Question 5

i take zovirax (acyclovir) for herpes simplex (genital). i take 40 mg everyday to suppress the herpes simplex eruptions. will this drug suppress shingles too?

Accepted Answer

That'sALotOfPills!!: The FDA has not approved it for use like that unless you are immunocompromised by AIDS or Multiple Myeloma,etc. It's used 'off-label' for those(i.e. not FDA approved but seem to or may  work).As far as for you, I'd bet it would be prescribed like Gatoraid if anyone thought it would work (there's so many people with Herpes out there), but since Shingles comes-on later in life, that's a lot to take!

Question 6

how does zovirax (acyclovir) work?

Accepted Answer

Zovirax (acyclovir): "The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is highly selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by HSV and VZV." See:   http://www.drugs.com/pro/zovirax.html

Question 7

who should not take zovirax (acyclovir)?

Accepted Answer

Zovirax (acyclovir): "Zovirax is contraindicated for patients who develop hypersensitivity to acyclovir or valacyclovir."  See:  http://www.drugs.com/pro/zovirax.html

Question 8

how long does it take for zovirax (acyclovir) to work? help please

Accepted Answer

Slowly: Zovirax (acyclovir) will only speed up the healing of a cold sore by a day or two compared to how long it would have taken to heal without zovirax (acyclovir).  Healing will take 4-5 days instead of 5-6 days.

Question 9

how long does it take zovirax (acyclovir) to get out your system after you stop taking it?

Accepted Answer

12 1/2-15 hours: The half life (time for elimination of half the drug) of acyclovir/zovirax is 2 1/2-3 hours in adults with normal kidney function. A drug is fully eliminated after 5 half lives.  Therefore for Acyclovir it will be completely eliminated 12 1/2-15 hours after taking the last dose.

Question 10

which is better: vectavir vs zovirax (acyclovir)?

Accepted Answer

Pills are best: Vectavir is a brand name for penciclovir, an anti-herpes cream.  Zovirax is a brand name for acyclovir, an anti-herpes drug that is available as a pill or a cream.  In general, pills are much more effective for herpes than creams.

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Doctor answers about:

Zovirax medication

A member asked:

I had positive herpes and using standard medication like zovirax (acyclovir) i retested after a year and result come back negative.so does it false to show?or?

A member asked:

I am 75 who just resrntly got shingles. i have been taking zovirax and acyclovir for 3weeks. are there any complications or any side effects for being on this medication longer then it was prescribed.? blisters now went away , buti have a very s

A member asked:

Is zovirax (acyclovir) an over-the-counter medication or does it have to be prescribed by a doctor?

A member asked:

Is zovirax the suppressive drug for herpes ? how is it different from valtrex (valacyclovir) ?

A member asked:

I take zovirax (acyclovir) for herpes simplex (genital). i take 40 mg everyday to suppress the herpes simplex eruptions. will this drug suppress shingles too?

A member asked:

How does zovirax (acyclovir) work?

A member asked:

Who should not take zovirax (acyclovir)?

A member asked:

How long does it take for zovirax (acyclovir) to work? help please

A member asked:

How long does it take zovirax (acyclovir) to get out your system after you stop taking it?

A member asked:

Which is better: vectavir vs zovirax (acyclovir)?

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