| 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, Zovirax ( 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, Zovirax
( acyclovir) . |
| WHAT
IS ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir) & HOW DOES IT WORK? |
| Zovirax(
acyclovir cream 5 %) is a medical is an FDA-approved anti viral agent.
Zovirax works by stopping the replication of the herpes virus. |
| WHEN
SHOULD I USE ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir) ? |
| Zovirax
(acyclovir) cream should be liberally applied to the affected area 5 times
a day for 4 days. You first wash your hands with soap and water before
applying, and then apply enough cream 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 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 a cold sore. For this medication to
be most effective, you need to start using it as soon as possible after
the first tingling and signs of a cold sore. Zovirax (acyclovir)
will lessen the discomfort, pain, and severity of the cold sores
and help the cold sores to disappear quicker! |
| CAN
I USE ZOVIRAX (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 ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir) ? |
| Do
not get Zovirax (acyclovir) in your eyes. Do not apply inside your
mouth, nose or genital areas. Do not swallow this medication. Be
sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after applying.
Zovirax (acyclovir) is to be used topically only. |
| WHAT
ARE THE INDICATIONS FOR ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir)? |
| Zovirax
(acyclovir) is indicated for the treatment of recurrent cold sores in healthy
adults. Zovirax should only be used on cold sores on the lips and
face. It should not be used on mucous membranes, it should
not be used inside the mouth, it should NEVER be used for genital herpes.
Avoid contact with the eyes because it can cause irritation. |
|
WHAT
IF I MISS A DOSE?
|
| If
you miss a dose, apply Zovirax 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 ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir)?
|
| Over
80% to 90% of adults carry the cold sore virus and 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 Zovirax on
hand available when you feel the first onset of a cold sore. (Zovirax needs
to be stored between 59 - 86 degrees , therefore do not leave in the car
in hot or cold weather.) You use the Zovirax cream for 4 consecutive days
for each outbreak that you experience. |
| WHEN
TAKING ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir) CAN I STILL SPREAD THE VIRUS? |
| Yes!
There is no cure for cold sores and once you have the herpes simplex I
virus in your body you are always a carrier. You are extremely contagious
during an outbreak of cold sores and Zovirax (acyclovir) DOES NOT
alter the contagious nature of the active cold sore, but it does relieve
the severity and discomfort of cold sores! Once you have
herpes simplex I, even if you don't have active outbreaks of cold
sores you are always potentially contagious and could be shedding
virus in your saliva. But when you have cold sore lesions you must avoid
kissing and direct contact because at this time you are especially contagious. |
| WHAT
ARE THE SIDE
EFFECTS OF ZOVIRAX (Acyclovir)? |
| There
are very minimal side effects associated with Zovirax (acyclovir) cream
topical 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. Zovirax (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 TAKE
Zovirax ( acyclovir) ?
WHAT ARE THE CONTRAINDICATIONS
FOR Zovirax ( 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 Zovirax (acyclovir). Zovirax (acyclovir) is CONTRAINDICATED
in anyone with known hypersensitivity to the product or any of its components:
You must not take Zovirax (acyclovir) if you have a hypersensitivity to
acyclovir or valacyclovir or any of the inactive ingredients: cetostearyl
alcohol, mineral oil, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate,
water, and white petrolatum.. 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 take Zovirax (acyclovir). |
|
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