What is Zovirax
25 years ago Zovirax was approved by FDA to be administered at a hospital as Zovirax Ointment that acted as the treatment for the initial outbreak of genital herpes. Zovirax is an antiviral drug that can help to lessen the symptom of herpes. It may not cure herpes but it help in providing comforts for those with the disease.
Zovirax works by slowing the growth and the spreading of the herpes virus thus creating a room of opportunity for the body to fight back the infection. Such symptoms that one should be aware are tingling, burning and blisters.
Zovirax is a prescribe medication, in which it involve the approval of certified physician. The usage of the medication is also rigid and requires the users to monitor the intake as well duration that were prescribed for it. Different from other serious medication, Zovirax can be taken with or without food.
How to use Medicine
By taking it with food may decrease stomach upset and it is advisable to drink a lot fluid when taking Zovirax so that it can smooth the kidney function. Before the end of the medication, there are also possibilities the symptoms may decrease.
Zovirax will not treat a viral infection such as the common cold or flu. During the period of medication, avoid the infected areas to be in contact with another person, touching another person should be avoided due to the contagious nature of the disease.
As reminder Zovirax should be taken with caution, in which person who are allergic, pregnant or plan to get pregnant should seek consultation before taking the medication.
Herpes viruses such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chicken pox are some of the viral diseases treated by using Zovirax. Zovirax will reduce the duration, frequency and severity of Herpes symptoms as well as reduce the risk of spreading.
There are different types of Zovirax to treats based on severity and also age of the patient. It comes in several forms such as tablets, ointment, injection and suspension. The first stage of treating genital herpes and certain herpes simplex infection of the skin is by using Zovirax ointment. Zovirax cream is used for herpes cold sores on the lips and face only.
Zovirax is also used by some doctors as supplement or added drugs in the treatment of AIDS, unusual herpes infections with possibilities of kidney or bone marrow transplant. The usage of Zovirax will need to prescribe by a certified physician, in which the treatments for all levels are different in terms of the types, the duration as well as the amount of intake.
For example different dosage of zovirax are presented by color coding such as Zovirax 200 mg – blue capsule, Zovirax 400 mg – white, shield-shaped tablets, Zovirax 800 mg – light-blue, oval tablets, Zovirax suspension 200 mg/5 mL – off-white, banana-flavored suspension. Zovirax helps to reduce the pain and duration of herpes zoster, aids in making the virus less transmittable and helps to reduce new lesions.
In simpler terms, to understand Zovirax is that it helps in preventing the disease from becoming more serious and dangerous by providing time for the body to heal.
Who Should Consider Using Zovirax
Here are some of the health issues that Zovirax being used. All dosages as well duration for the usage of Zovirax differs based on the age group.
In adults there are 4 types disease that require Zovirax, the Genital Herpes, Herpes Cold Sores, Herpes Zosters (shingles) as well as Chickenpox.
Below are the medication dosages for all four diseases:
For adults, suffering from Genital Herpes, the usual dose is one 200-milligram capsule or 1 teaspoonful of liquid every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 10 days. If the herpes is recurrent, the usual adult dose is double as well as the duration of the medication.
Therapy should be started at the earliest sign or symptom. Ointments are applied to affected area every 3 hours, 6 times per day, for 7 days. Use enough ointment to cover the affected area.
As for another type of herpes suffered by adult the Herpes Cold Sores, the Zovirax cream are applies to the affected area 5 times a day for 4 days. Therapy should also begin as soon as possible after the first sign of a cold sore such as a bump, tingling, redness, or itchiness.
For Herpes Zoster (Shingles) The usual adult dose is 800 milligrams (one 800-milligram tablet or 4 teaspoonfuls of liquid) every 4 hours, 5 times daily for 7 to 10 days.
For Chickenpox: The usual adult dose is 800 milligrams 4 times a day for 5 days. If suffering from kidney disBuy the dosage are required to be adjusted by the certified physician.
Zovirax As Chicken Pox Treatment For Children
Besides adult, Zovirax are also used for children as well as older adult. For children the medications are only for chicken pox but with strict requirement.
The dosages are influence by the weight of the child. The dosage for children 2 years of age and older suffering from chicken pox are tabulated by taking into consideration the weight of the body and the intake of the medication daily but its differ is the child is weighing more than 88 pounds in which the dosage is more to an adult.
The intakes are from two forms or two ways, oral as well as ointment and both ways haven’t established its safety and effectiveness among children. Whatever it maybe, a certified physician are required to inform the parents of the guardian about the benefits as well as the effect of Zovirax has towards children.
As for older adult, the dosage is at a low end dosage range, this because they are at risk to have kidney problems or other disease or to be taking other medication.
In general, Zovirax are safe, but any excess of the medication may have dire consequences. If any of these symptoms shows such as, agitation, kidney failure, lethargy, coma, seizures, immediately consult certified physician. Zovirax however has been stated not to be used to cure common cold or flu.
Dosages
200, 400, 800 mg
Quantity
30, 60, 90, 120 pills
Related Categories:
Antiviral
Related Medications:
Acyclovir
