Warnings
What are the risks of taking Zovirax?
Zovirax can cause serious health problems in certain groups of people. You should talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns or other treatment options. Kidney problems:
Zovirax can cause serious kidney problems. Elderly patients and those with existing kidney problems are even more prone to develop worsened kidney function with Zovirax. This risk also increases with dehydration or electrolyte imbalance. Medications that can be potentially harmful to the kidneys should also be avoided while taking Zovirax; examples of these medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), meloxicam (Mobic), and ketorolac (Toradol). Some of these medications are over-the-counter products, while others are prescription medications. You should drink plenty of water while taking Zovirax. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new medicines. If you are on Zovirax long-term, your doctor will order blood tests to monitor your kidney functions. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen are two main blood tests used to evaluate your renal function. Blood disorders:
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) is a rare blood disorder that some people develop while taking Zovirax during clinical studies. Symptoms you should watch out for are lack of energy, unexplained fever, unusual bleeding, bruising, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or dark urine. Your doctor will order blood tests while you’re on Zovirax to ensure the safety of this therapy. |
What should I tell my doctor before starting Zovirax?
You should not take Zovirax if you are allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir (Valtrex). Signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hives (rash on your body), swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Zovirax is not to be used in children under the age of two.
To make sure Zovirax is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- Kidney disease
- A weakened immune system (being immunocompromised) by certain diseases or by taking immunosuppressants
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant. If you have genital herpes, it is important to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy. Herpes can be passed to the baby during childbirth if you have a genital herpes lesion. Take your anti-viral medications as directed to control herpes infections.
Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed. It is not known if it is safe to breastfeed while using Zovirax.
What proper medical care should I take while on Zovirax?
Drink plenty of fluids while taking Zovirax to ensure your kidneys are working properly.
Go to all doctor and blood work appointments.
Herpes infections are contagious, even while you are on anti-viral medication like Zovirax. Avoid touching the infected areas then touching your eyes. Avoid having the infected areas come in contact with other people. Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently to prevent passing the infection to others.
If you have genital herpes infections, taking Zovirax will not prevent you from passing genital herpes to your partner(s). Refrain from having sexual intercourse while you have active herpes lesions or the first symptoms of an outbreak.
If you are infected with the herpes virus, the virus multiplies in the body and can be released into the environment. This release is called “viral shedding.” Keep in mind that you can still spread genital herpes through viral shedding, even if you have no symptoms.
What drugs can interact with Zovirax?
Zovirax can cause harm to your kidneys. Taking Zovirax with other medications that are not kidney-friendly can worsen this effect. Let your doctor or pharmacist know if you are taking any of the following medications:
- Cancer medicines
- Osteoporosis medicines
- Certain antibiotics
- Organ transplant rejection drugs
- Blood pressure medications
- Bowel disorder medicines
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), meloxicam (Mobic), ketorolac (Toradol), and other medicines for pain and inflammation.
Talk to your pharmacist if you are not sure whether you are taking any of the above medication categories.
This is not a complete list. Other drugs, including prescriptions or nonprescription drugs, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, and vitamins, may interact with Zovirax. Not all potential drug interactions are listed in this guide. It is highly recommended to keep a list of all the drug products you are using (prescriptions, over-the-counter products, herbal supplements, natural products, and vitamins) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
SOCIAL