INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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Please read all of the leaflet carefully before you take your medicine
This leaflet answers some common questions about Zovirax 400mg tablets. It does not contain all of the available information.
Reading this leaflet does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Taking any medicine involves some risk. It is possible that all risks associated with this medicine might not have been detected, despite proper testing. Only your doctor or pharmacist is able to weigh up all of the relevant facts, and you should consult them if your have any queries.
If you have any concerns about taking Zovirax 400mg ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this information. You may want to read it again.
This leaflet provides information about Zovirax 400mg. The statements that are made in this leaflet cannot be applied to any other medicine, even those that are similar or appear to contain the same ingredients.
Zovirax 400mg is used for suppression of recurrent genital herpes
Aciclovir (the active ingredient in Zovirax 400mg) belongs to a group of medicines called "anti-virals". Zovirax 400mg works by stopping the production of the herpes virus. This reduces the length and severity of an outbreak of herpes. Zovirax 400mg does not get rid of the virus from your body.
Your doctor may, however, have prescribed Zovirax 400mg for a different use to that described above. If you have any questions about why you are taking Zovirax 400mg ask your doctor or pharmacist. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to provide you with more information.
Zovirax 400mg is not suitable for everyone.
Be sure that your doctor knows about the following before you take Zovirax 400mg:
Take Zovirax 400mg as directed by your doctor or pharmacist. Never change the dose yourself. Your doctor and pharmacist will be able to tell you:
The label on the pack that the tablets were supplied in will give the same information. If there is something that you do not understand ask either your doctor or pharmacist.
The usual dose of Zovirax 400mg is one 400mg tablet twice a day.
Your doctor may also vary the Zovirax 400mg dosage for other medical reasons.
If you have any questions about the dose that you have been prescribed you should ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Your Zovirax 400mg tablets may be swallowed whole with a glass of water, or dispersed in a quarter of a glass of water (about 50 mL) and then swallowed.
If you forget to take your dose or if you have just missed your scheduled dose, take it as soon as you remember and continue as before.
If you have forgotten to take one dose of Zovirax 400mg and it is almost time to take your next scheduled dose, then skip the dose you have missed, and continue taking your Zovirax 400mg as directed by your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have forgotten to take more than one dose contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you have missed.
If you have trouble remembering when to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
Immediately contact your doctor or Poisons Information Centre for advice (0800 POISON or 0800 764 766) or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you may have taken too much, or if anyone else has taken any Zovirax 400mg. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Keep telephone numbers for these places handy.
Do not stop taking Zovirax 400mg just because you feel better.
It is important that you complete your course of tablets to effectively treat the herpes infection.
Your doctor will advise you when to stop taking Zovirax 400mg.
If you are unsure whether you should stop taking Zovirax 400mg talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Drink plenty of plain fluids.
Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to tell you whether there are any special instructions while you are taking Zovirax 400mg.
See your doctor if you feel that your condition is not improving or getting worse.
All medicines can have some side effects. Sometimes they are serious. Most of the time they are not.
Zovirax 400mg helps most people with genital herpes. In a few people it may have some unwanted side effects.
Be sure that your doctor or pharmacist knows as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Zovirax 400mg. Often it is difficult to tell the difference between side effects of medication and symptoms of the underlying illness.
If you think you are having an allergic (hypersensitivity) reaction to Zovirax 400mg, TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Symptoms include:
This is not a complete list of side effects. A small number of patients have had other unwanted effects after taking Zovirax 400mg.
There is no evidence that Zovirax 400mg is addictive.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you don't understand anything in this list.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side-effects. You may not experience any of them.
If your doctor advises you to stop taking Zovirax 400mg ask your pharmacist what to do with any remaining tablets.
Keep your tablets in the pack that they were supplied in.
Keep Zovirax 400mg in a cool, dark and dry place where the temperature stays below 30°C.
Do not store Zovirax 400mg in the bathroom or near a sink.
Heat and dampness may affect Zovirax 400mg.
Keep Zovirax 400mg, and all other medicines, where children cannot reach them.
Do not leave Zovirax 400mg in the car on hot days.
Zovirax 400mg tablets are pale pink and shield-shaped, marked "ZOVIRAX 400" on one side and with a triangle on the other. They are available in packs of 56 tablets.
Zovirax 400mg contains 400 mg of the active ingredient aciclovir.
Zovirax 400mg also contains: cellulose-microcrystalline, povidone, sodium starch glycollate, aluminium magnesium silicate, magnesium stearate, macrogol 8000, iron oxide red CI77491, and coating concentrate opadry OY-7240 clear.
Zovirax 400mg tablets are supplied by:
Glaxo Wellcome New Zealand Limited
Quay Tower
Cnr Albert and Customs St.
Private Bag 106600
Downtown Auckland
New Zealand
Ph: (09) 367 2900
Fax (09) 367 2910
™ZOVIRAX is a trademark of the Glaxo Wellcome Group of Companies
This leaflet is copyrighted to Glaxo Wellcome and may be reproduced but not altered in any way.
Issue 2, September 2000