Drug Details
Therapeutic Class:
Antiviral
Forms:
- Oral capsule: 200 mg
- Oral tablet: 400 mg; 800 mg
- Buccal tablet: 50 mg
- Oral suspension: 200 mg/5 mL
- Ointment: 5% ointment available in 5 g tube, 15 g tube, and 30 g tube
- Cream: 5% cream available in 5 g tube
- Powder for injection vial: 1 g; 500 mg
This medication guide will provide drug information about the oral dosage form of Zovirax (acyclovir).
Administration:
- By mouth
- Topically (on the skin)
- Intravenously (into a vein)
Therapeutic Uses:
Zovirax (acyclovir) is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes, shingles, and chickenpox.
Controlled Status:
Not a controlled substance
What is Zovirax (acyclovir)?
Zovirax is an antiviral medication. Zovirax is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses. Zovirax does not cure herpes viruses, meaning it does not get rid of them. It reduces the growth and the spread of the herpes virus; thus, lessening the symptoms of the infections. Infections caused by herpes viruses that Zovirax can treat are genital herpes, shingles, cold sores, and chickenpox.
Zovirax oral capsules and tablets are used to treat genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. Delayed-release buccal tablets are used to treat cold sores. There are also ointment and cream options that are used to treat genital herpes.
Who can take Zovirax (acyclovir)?
- Adults
- Children who are at least two years old
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