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Possible food and drug interactions when taking this medication
It is especially important that your health care professional know if you are taking any of the following:
- Carmustine (e.g., BiCNU) or
- Cisplatin (e.g., Platinol) or
- Combination pa
in medicine containing acetaminophen and aspirin (e.g., Excedrin) or other salicylates or
- Cyclosporine (e.g., Sandimmune) or
- Deferoxamine (e.g., Desferal) (with long-term use) or
-
Gold salts (medicine for arthritis) or
- Inflammation or pain medicine, except narcotics, or
- Lithium (e.g., Lithane) or
- Methotrexate (Mexate) or
- Other medicine for infection
or
- Penicillamine (e.g., Cuprimine) or
- Plicamycin (e.g., Mithracin) or
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What special precautions should I follow?
Pregnancy¡XTopical Zovirax has not been studied in pregnant women. However, this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animal studies using mice, rats, or rabbits, ex
ept when given in very high doses in a study using rats.
Breast-feeding¡XIt is not known whether topical Zovirax passes into the breast milk. However, Zovirax ointment has not been reported t
cause problems in nursing babies, even though small amounts of topical Zovirax are absorbed through the mother's skin and mucous membranes. Although most medicines pass into breast milk in small amou
nts, many of them may be used safely while breast-feeding.
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Symptoms of overdose
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include sluggishness, change in amount of urine, loss of consciousness, or se
izures.
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Proper Use of This Medicine
Your medication should not be shared with others, and the prescribed dose should not be exceeded. You can take Zovirax with or without food.
Zovirax ointment should not be used in or near th
e eyes. To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, use a rubber glove to apply the ointment.
Zovirax cream should not be used in or near the eyes, or inside the nose or mouth. The medica
tion can, however, be applied on the outside of the lips. Apply the cream with your fingers to clean, dry skin. Be sure to wash your hands before and after applying Zovirax cream, and avoid bathing or
swimming afterward to prevent it from washing off. Do not cover the cold sore with a bandage or make-up unless your doctor approves.
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How should you take this medication?
Zovirax comes as an ointment for use on the skin and as a tablet, capsule, and liquid to take by mouth. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to
explain any part you do not understand. Take Zovirax exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Use this medication as soon as possible
after symptoms appear.
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Description
Zovirax is used to treat herpes infections of the skin, lip, and genitals; herpes zoster (shingles); and chickenpox. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching and promotes heal
ing.
Topical Zovirax does not prevent the recurrence of sores but may decrease pain and itching if applied when the earliest symptoms first appear. Oral Zovirax decreases the frequency and se
verity of recurrent sores, but it is used only by people with severe herpes infections because of possible adverse effects.
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