Zovir 200mg Tablet
Product Info
| Prescription required | Yes |
| Marketer | East West Pharma |
| Active Ingredient | Acyclovir (200mg) |
| Storage | Store below 30°C |
| Chemical Class | Nucleoside analog |
| Habit Forming | No |
| Therapeutic Class | ANTI INFECTIVES |
| Action Class | Antiviral (Non-HIV) drugs |
| User Rating | 4.6 |
| User Reviews | 358 |
FAQ
What are the serious side effects of Zovir 200mg?
Serious side effects are rare, but if you experience them, you should seek medical advice right away. These rare side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.
Does Zovir 200mg prevent transmission of infection to others?
No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with Zovir 200mg. Herpes infections are contagious, so avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching your eyes after touching an infected area. Wash your hands frequently to prevent transmitting the infection to others. You should practice safe sex by using condoms. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.
Is hair loss caused due to Zovir 200mg permanent?
Hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Zovir 200mg. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.
What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Zovir 200mg accidentally?
Accidental, repeated overdoses of oral Zovir 200mg over several days have resulted in nausea, vomiting, confusion and headache. Consult your doctor in case of overdose.
Will I get cured after taking Zovir 200mg for shingles?
Zovir 200mg is an antiviral medicine effective against herpes simplex and varicella zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection. It does not remove the viruses from the body but prevents the viruses from dividing and spreading.
Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Zovir 200mg?
Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking Zovir 200mg. The reason being, their kidneys do not flush the drug out of their system as quickly as a younger person’s kidneys would do. Elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Zovir 200mg, and their kidney function should be monitored. These patients should be given a lower dose and should be monitored for neurological problems.
Can I get resistant to Zovir 200mg treatment?
Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with an impaired immunity have reported resistance to Zovir 200mg. If you are not responding to Zovir 200mg, the possibility of drug resistance should be checked.
What if you forget to take Zovir Tablet?
If you miss a dose of Zovir 200mg, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.
Zovir 200mg Tablet Reviews
Zovir 200mg is an antiviral medicine. It helps in treating viral infections like herpes labialis, herpes simplex, shingles, genital herpes infection, and chickenpox. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells and therefore helps in clearing the infection.
Zovir 200mg should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking it. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
Some side effects of this medicine include headache, dizziness, vomiting, nausea, fatigue, and fever. Inform your doctor if these side effects do not resolve or persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
How Zovir 200mg Tablet Works
Zovir 200mg is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.
How to Use Zovir 200mg Tablet
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Zovir 200mg may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Benefits of Zovir 200mg Tablet
- In Herpes Simplex Virus Infections: Zovir 200mg is an antiviral medicine. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. It will not cure herpes and neither it prevents passing on the infection to others. However, it can speed up healing of the sores and decrease the symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning, itching. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully to get maximum benefit.
- In Genital herpes infection: Genital herpes infection is a common sexually transmitted infection marked by genital pain and sores. It can affect both men and women. Symptoms include pain, itching and irritation. Zovir 200mg helps in treating the symptoms effectively and also prevents multiplication of the infection causing virus.
- In Shingles: Shingles is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Zovir 200mg can shorten the length and severity of shingles. It is most effective if you start taking it as soon as possible after the rash appears. Keeping the immune system healthy is the best way to prevent shingles. Maintaining good hygiene is another way of preventing shingles.
- In Chickenpox: Zovir 200mg is used for the treatment of chickenpox. It is most effective if it is started within 24 to 48 hours after the onset of the rash. Take it as prescribed by the doctor to get the most of it. However, chickenpox is highly contagious. You can help prevent the spread of chickenpox by practicing good hygiene and washing your hands frequently. Reduce your exposure to people who have chickenpox. If you already have chickenpox, stay at home until all of your blisters have dried and crusted over.
- In Herpes labialis: Herpes labialis, commonly known as cold sores, is a viral infection that primarily affects the lip. Symptoms typically include a burning pain followed by small blisters or sores. The first attack may also be accompanied by fever, sore throat, and enlarged lymph nodes. Zovir 200mg can speed up healing of herpes labialis and also prevent recurrence of the sores.
Uses of Zovir 200mg Tablet
- Herpes labialis
- Herpes Simplex Virus Infections
- Shingles
- Chickenpox
- Genital herpes infection
Zovir 200mg Tablet Side Effects
Safety Tips
Breast feeding
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zovir 200mg is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
Driving
UNSAFE
Zovir 200mg may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
Alcohol
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Zovir 200mg. Please consult your doctor.
Kidney
CAUTION
Zovir 200mg should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Zovir 200mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.It is advisable to drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine.
Liver
CAUTION
Zovir 200mg should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Zovir 200mg may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Zovir 200mg is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
Quick Tips
- Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
- Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.
- If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.
- Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
References
- Aciclovir. Hayes, UK: Ranbaxy (UK) Limited a Sun Pharmaceutical Company; 2007 [revised 15 Aug. 2018].
- Acyclovir [Prescribing Information]. Research Triangle Park, NC: GlaxoSmithKline; 2005.
- Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 846-47.
- Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 18-22.
- Chaves RG, Lamounier JA. Breastfeeding and maternal medications. J Pediatr (Rio J). 2004;80(5 Suppl):S189-98.
- Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1594-1600.