"Zovirax": how to forget about herpes

According to WHO statistics, by the age of 50, two-thirds of the world's inhabitants are infected with the herpes virus. But the disease is not manifested in everyone. Some may not realize that the virus is napping in the body. This is due to the characteristics of the life cycle of the pathogen.

Why is this virus incurable?

"Zovirax" acts on most types of herpes virus, and is particularly active in the alpha-herpes virus family. These include three types of pathogens:

• herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1) - manifested on the lips, sometimes on the genitals;
• herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) - the causative agent of genital herpes;
• herpes type 3 - varicella-zoster virus - the causative agent of chickenpox in children and shingles in adults.

The therapeutic effect extends to the following pathogens:

• Epstein virus - Barr;
• cytomegalovirus.

The virus penetrates through the mucous membranes and is sent along the nerve fibers to the spinal ganglia. There, he frees himself from his shell and embeds his DNA into the nucleus of a nerve cell. Genetic material will be there until the right moment.

Many people have long been asymptomatic carriers. But with a decrease in immunity, the body loses control of the virus, and it goes in the opposite direction along the axons of the nerve cells to the lip epithelium. The virus enters the cells, sets them up for the synthesis of their own particles. Several thousand viruses replicate in each epithelial cell. During their exit, they capture part of the cell membrane to create their own membrane. This damages the cell and leads to its death.

All therapeutic measures are aimed at the destruction of viruses that began to replicate in epithelial cells. DNA particles that remain in the nuclei of nerve cells are reliably protected from drugs and the immune system. The body cannot direct aggression against itself, therefore the virus remains in it forever.

Features of the active substance

Acyclovir is the active substance in the composition of Zovirax. This is an analogue of the normal component of the DNA of purine nucleoside deoxyguanosine. The development of the drug belongs to the pharmacologist from the United States Gertrude Elion, who received the Nobel Prize for this.

The mechanism of action is associated with the incorporation of acyclovir due to similarity in viral DNA. This is accompanied by a blockage of the DNA polymerase enzyme, which is manifested by a halt in the synthesis of this acid.

Pharmacological properties of ointment, cream, tablets and solution

Zovirax is available in several pharmacological forms. Their type and dosage are presented in the table.

Table - The main forms of "Zovirax"

Each of the means has its own specific application.

• Cream. Used externally, locally in the area of ​​rashes. Acts on epithelial cells. With repeated application, the systemic absorption is minimal. Helps accelerate the healing of acne, reduces pain, prevents the appearance of new rashes.
• Ointment. When applied to the cornea, it is rapidly absorbed. Therefore, in the intraocular fluid there is a noticeable increase in the concentration of acyclovir. It is excreted by the kidneys.
• Pills. Quickly absorbed in the intestines. Four hours later, reaches high plasma concentrations. The content in cerebrospinal fluid is 50% less than in blood. Most of the medicine is excreted by the kidneys unchanged.
• Infusion solution. With intravenous infusion, the maximum concentration is recorded after an hour. The elimination half-life is from two to three hours. It is excreted by filtration by the renal glomeruli and secretion in the tubules.

Withdrawal of medication through the kidneys requires dose adjustment in renal failure. According to studies, in this condition, the half-life of the drug can last up to 19 hours.

There is also a combination drug cream "Zovirax Duo-Active." In addition to acyclovir, it includes the hormonal component hydrocortisone. Its addition gives the cream the following properties:

• antipruritic;
• anti-inflammatory;
• vasoconstrictive;
• antiallergic.

In what cases can I use

Indications for use of Zovirax include cases of infection with the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, as well as manifestations of herpes zoster, Epstein-Barr virus. But there are some features.

• Cream. It acts exclusively locally. Therefore, it cannot be used as monotherapy. The action of local remedies is supplemented with tablets. The cream is used for rashes of a cold on the lips, on the nose, with genital herpes. Dentists prescribe acyclovir for herpetic stomatitis. Cream is not used to treat papillomas, the cause of the disease in this case human papillomavirus, which "Zovirax" is not valid.
• Ointment. It is used topically for the treatment of keratitis, conjunctivitis caused by HSV-1. Barley is not included in the range of indications. This pathology is a consequence of infection with Staphylococcus aureus.
• Pills. Used for the treatment of skin manifestations of HSV-1, HSV-2, as well as for the prevention of relapse in people with normal immunity or immunodeficiency. Effective in the treatment of chickenpox, shingles. They are used in neurology in patients with facial neuritis and other localizations in cases of suspected herpetic nature of the disease. Can be used in HIV-infected people and people after bone marrow transplantation.
• Infusion solution. The list of indications is the same as for tablets. But often these are more severe manifestations of the disease. Also, the solution can be used in newborns infected with herpes.

Instructions for use "Zovirax": dosage selection

The cream is applied to the rash with a thin layer, but not rubbed to avoid infection of neighboring tissues. It can be used four to six times a day. The course lasts from five to ten days. It is important to start treatment with the first signs of infection in the form of edema, itching and burning. The result of the disease may be jammed lips, which are a sign of deficiency. vitamin band not the remnants of herpes.

Treatment with eye ointment is carried out until the symptoms disappear, plus another three days. It is squeezed 1 cm long into the conjunctival sac five times a day. It is important to observe a time interval of four hours.

The use of tablets is possible in adults and children after a year. They are taken with meals, washed down with a glass of water. Dosage depends on the purpose of administration and the immune status of the patient. This is described in more detail in the table.

Table - Treatment with Zovirax tablets

For children, the exact dosage can be calculated by body weight. 20 mg / kg of body weight is recommended, but not more than 800 mg in each of the four doses. Obese patients do not need a dose adjustment. With renal failure, the dose is reduced, and in older people, compliance with the drinking regimen is required with the intake of at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day.

The solution for intravenous infusion should be properly prepared. To do this, 10 ml of a 0.9% solution of sodium chloride or water for injection are injected into the ampoule with the lyophilisate. The vial is shaken until the contents are completely dissolved. The solution should be administered dropwise over an hour. For this, a special infusion pump is used, in which you can set the required speed. Or the solution is diluted further and injected with a dropper. Calculation of dosage is carried out individually in each case. The course of treatment is five days.

Unwanted effects

Side effects can be observed from the use of any dosage form.

• Cream. Itchy skin, burning sensation when used from genital herpes - vulvit. With reduced immunodeficiency, a candida fungus may appear, which leads to thrush. But this is not a consequence of treatment with a cream.
• Ointment. Side effects are manifested by blepharitis, burning, conjunctivitis.
• Tablets and solution. Dyspeptic symptoms, increased liver enzymes in the blood, headache, allergies, fatigue. Rarely observed anemia, leukopenia, dizziness. In patients with severe renal disease at high doses, convulsions and confusion may occur, and coma is possible.

Overdose symptoms include more severe side effects. Treatment involves hemodialysis and the maintenance of vital functions of the body.

From contraindications - individual intolerance to the drug. Use with caution in dehydration and renal failure.

"Zovirax" is one of the trade names of the drug acyclovir. There are analogues of Zovirax ointment for the active substance. In pharmacies, you can find drugs with the following names:

• Acyclovir-Vishfa;
• Herpeblock;
• "Gaviran";
• "Acigerpin."

Reviews about the Zovirax tablets indicate the high effectiveness of the drug, especially if you start treatment with the appearance of the first signs of pathology, and not at the stage of bursting bubbles. The correct approach to treatment, as well as the elimination of factors that reduce immunity, help to achieve stable remission and reduce the frequency of relapses.In severe cases, an antiherpetic vaccine helps.

Reviews

If you catch in time the first signs of herpes such as mild itching and slight redness and begin to smear this place with Zovirax about once an hour, then most likely there will be no sores and by the evening everything will disappear without a trace. Then you can anoint the next day for prevention. But if you just start the process a bit, you will have to suffer 3-4 days. But, in any case, this ointment significantly facilitates life.

Kasia https://www.piluli.ru/product/Zoviraks/review

I treat herpes with Zovirax, though it doesn’t react as quickly as in advertising, but on the second day the sore begins to decrease, and on the third day it disappears. The only thing is that if I am too lazy to smear with ointment at the first pain, then, when a blister has already appeared, it is useless to smear with Zovirax, the process has begun and you can’t stop it.

Olga https://www.piluli.ru/product/Zoviraks/review

Good drug. Effective in the first hours of a cold sore rash. With daily use, herpes passes faster by 3-4 days less herpetic eruptions. With reduced immunity, it is ineffective, but I can safely recommend it to most patients. The effect is not immediately apparent, ineffective in patients with HIV infection.

Chukhrov V.V., https://protabletky.ru/zovirax/#otziv

A constant problem in the fall is herpes, mainly the appearance of an ailment on the lips. The only remedy that helps me is the antiviral agent Zovirax. Everything goes quickly for me. I immediately feel if there is an itching on the lips and a burning sensation, then you need to wait for this nasty sore. I’m smearing at night, because during the day it’s not aesthetic for me to go with cream on my lips. I apply a lot at a time, so that quickly the whole composition penetrates the layers of the skin and begins to act. Passes on the fourth day after application. Very effective and inexpensive tool. I am satisfied and recommend to everyone who has encountered this sore.

Katerina, https://protabletky.ru/zovirax/#otziv

Review of pills, not ointments! For the first time after drinking a course of Zovirax tablets, I forgot about herpes for 2 years for sure, now immunity is at zero, I'll try to drink again. Do not confuse with ointment. A whole tube of Zovirax acyclovir ointment contains 50 mg. This is a whole tube! And in one tablet of Zovirax acyclovir 200 mg, which must be taken 5 times a day, that is, 1000 mg of acyclovir is obtained per day !!! And their treatment period is 5 days, that is, 5000 mg of acyclovir !! Do not compare 5000 mg in tablets with 50 mg in ointment. I really forgot about herpes for 2 years after zovirax tablets. TABLETS !!! This is a very strong immunomodulator.

Hope, https://www.otzyvua.net/zoviraks/review-90740

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