| WHAT
IS TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR & HOW DOES IT WORK? |
| Topical
Acyclovir formulations are compounded by Trinova Health compounding
pharmacy and contain
5% Acyclovir, an FDA-approved anti viral agent . Acyclovir
works
by stopping the replication of the herpes virus. Topical
Acyclovir
is effective for both genital herpes and cold sores. |
| WHEN
SHOULD I USE TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR ? |
| Topical
Acyclovir should be liberally applied to the affected area every 3
hours,
6 times a day for 7 days. The topical formulation should be
applied
in sufficient quantities to adequately cover the lesion: to
the genital
area lesion for genital herpes or to the lip for cold sores.
You
first wash your hands with soap and water before applying, and then
apply
enough formulation to adequately cover the lesion and rub it
in until
the cream disappears. After apply you need to wash your hands
with
soap and water. If you suffer from genital herpes or cold
sores,
than be prepared and always have a tube on hand so you can use it at
the
first tingling signs of the onset of genital herpes or cold sore
outbreak.
For this medication to be most effective, you need to start using it as
soon as possible after the first tingling and signs of genital herpes
outbreak
or a cold sore. Topical Acyclovir will lessen the
discomfort,
pain, and severity of the genital herpes outbreak or cold
sores and
help the outbreak or cold sores to disappear quicker! |
|
WHAT
IS GENITAL HERPES?
|
| If
you notice a rash, chafing, pimples or sores of any kind in the genital
area, it could be herpes. In order to be sure if you have herpes, you
must
have a physical exam by your doctor. Genital herpes is a sexually
transmitted
disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Once you are
infected
the virus remains in your body the rest of your life and one often as
recurrent
outbreaks. Herpes is spread through direct body contact and
once
infected you can spread the virus to others even when there are no
active
sores present. Genital herpes presents itself with
blister-like sore
on the genitals or buttocks that recur from 4 to
more than
12 times a year and each outbreak if left untreated can last about 7 to
10 days. |
| WHAT
ARE COLD SORES? |
| Cold
sores, also known as fever blisters, are liquid-filled blisters that
erupt
around the lips and sometimes spread to the nose and chin.
One out
of every 4 adults will develop a cold sore at some point in their adult
life, and 80% to 90% of adults carry the Herpes Simplex I Virus
responsible
for cold sores. (This is NOT the same as herpes simplex II that causes
genital herpes.) Once infected with the cold sore virus it stays
dormant
in the body and periodically erupts as cold sores often
related to
stress, sun exposure, the flu etc. Cold sores are extremely
contagious
and the herpes simplex I virus spreads by direct skin-to-skin contact.
A person may shed virus in the saliva even when cold sores
are not
present. |
| WHAT
IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLD SORES & CANKER SORES? |
| Canker
sores are small painful ulcerations occurring inside the mouth or
gums.
They seem to be caused by stress, a physical nick or diet.
Unlike
cold sores, canker sores are NOT contagious. The main
distinguishing
feature is that cold sores erupt outside of the mouth on the lips, chin
and sometimes under the nose, canker sores occur inside the
mouth.
Since a canker sore inside the mouth is not associated with the herpes
simplex virus, Topical Acyclovir is NOT indicated! |
| WHAT
DOES A COLD SORE LOOK LIKE? |
| A
cold sore frequently starts as an irregular shaped blister on the lips
and blisters can spread to the chin and under the nose area.
It quickly
loses its top and becomes a shallow ulcer which often crusts on
top.
Most often a fever, sunburn or stress may provoke an outbreak of cold
sores.
Cold sores can be painful and severe cases can even leave
scarring.
Many people who suffer from recurring cold sores feel a tingling or
burning
sensation a day before the cold sore erupts. Cold sores can
not be
prevented there is a FDA approved treatment for recurrent cold sores,
Topical
Acyclovir . |
| CAN
I USE TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR WITH OTHER CREAMS OR MAKEUP ? |
| No.
Do not apply any other topical medications, skin care products, lip
balms,
makeup, or lipstick to the same area where the medication is being
applied. |
| WHAT
PRECAUTIONS ARE NECESSARY WHEN APPLYING TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR ? |
| Do
not get Topical Acyclovir in your eyes. Do not apply inside
your
mouth or nose. Do not swallow this medication. Be
sure to wash
your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying. Topical
Acyclovir
is to be used topically only. |
| WHAT
ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR? |
| Topical
Acyclovir is indicated for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes
outbreaks
or cold sores in healthy adults. Topical Acyclovir should
only be
used on cold sores on the lips and face or for genital
herpes.
It should not be used inside the mouth. Avoid contact with
the eyes
because it can cause irritation. |
|
WHAT
IF I MISS A DOSE?
|
| If
you miss a dose, apply Topical Acyclovir as soon as
possible.
But do NOT double dose Also do NOT exceed the
recommended dose
or frequency of application. |
|
HOW
LONG DO I HAVE TO USE TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR?
|
| Over
50 million adults (25% of women and 20% of men) carry genital Herpes
Type
2 virus, and over 80% to 90% of adults carry the cold sore
virus.
At least 1 in 4 will suffer from cold sores during their
life.
If you suffer from recurrent cold sores, you should always have a tube
of Topical Acyclovir on hand available when you feel the first onset of
a cold sore. (Acyclovir needs to be stored between 59 - 86 degrees ,
therefore
do not leave in the car in hot or cold weather.) You use the Topical
Acyclovir
for 7 consecutive days for each outbreak that you experience. |
| WHEN
USING TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR CAN I STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS? |
| Yes!
There is no cure for genital herpes or cold sores and once you have the
herpes simplex I or II virus in your body you are always a
carrier.
You are extremely contagious during an outbreak of cold sores and
Acyclovir
DOES NOT alter the contagious nature of the active genital herpes
outbreak
or cold sore, but it does relieve the severity and discomfort of the
herpes
outbreak or cold sores! Once you have
herpes simplex
I or II, even if you don't have active outbreaks of genital herpes or
cold
sores you are always potentially contagious and could be
shedding
virus. When you have genital herpes outbreak or cold sore
lesions
you are especially contagious. |
| WHAT
ARE THE SIDE
EFFECTS OF TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR? |
| There
are very minimal side effects associated with Topical Acyclovir
application.
A few people about 5 %, slightly more than those receiving a placebo
non-active
cream) experience local application site reactions: dry lips, cracked
lips,
burning skin, itching, stinging, or flakiness of skin
.
No life-threatening symptoms have ever been reported. Topical
Acyclovir
is to be applied
topically and used externally
only. It is NOT intended for internal use. In case
of accidental
consumption of cream call 911 for emergency help or your local poison
control
center. |
WHO
SHOULD NOT USE TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR ?
WHAT ARE
THE CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR TOPICAL ACYCLOVIR?
|
| CONTRAINDICATIONS:
In order to proceed to the medical consultation, you must go to the
next
page and read the contraindications and verify that you do not have any
of the contraindications, you are not pregnant and are not breast
feeding,
and understand that if you have AIDS, a suppressed immune system, a
bone
marrow or kidney transplant, any organ transplant or kidney disease you
must NOT use Topical Acyclovir. Acyclovir is CONTRAINDICATED in anyone
with known hypersensitivity to the product or any of its
components:
You must not use Acyclovir (Acyclovir) a hypersensitivity to Acyclovir
or valacyclovir or any of the inactive ingredients.
Check first
with Trinova Health pharmacy (818-551-1165) if you have any questions
regarding
sensitivity to any of their compounded Acyclovir topical products)
Always
inform your doctor before starting therapy. |
| Under
NO circumstance do we prescribe to any child under
the age
of 18, in anyone pregnant or breast-feeding, anyone with an organ
transplant,
kidney disease or advanced HIV to use Topical Acyclovir. |
|
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