INFORMATION FOR CONSUMERS
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Please read this leaflet carefully before you start to use your medicine. It answers some common questions about Viraban ointment.
Keep the leaflet with the medicine.
You may need to read it again.
This leaflet only applies to Viraban ointment.
Your medicine is called Viraban cold sore ointment. The active ingredient is aciclovir. Aciclovir belongs to the class of medicines called antivirals. Antivirals are used to treat infections caused by viruses.Viraban ointment is used to treat the symptoms of cold sores.
Viraban ointment may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Make sure it is safe for you to use Viraban ointment. Read the following questions carefully.
Have you previously had an allergic reaction to aciclovir or any other ingredient such as polyethylene glycol? (An allergic reaction may include rash, itching, swelling or breathing difficulties).
Are you pregnant or intend to become pregnant?
Are you currently breast feeding?
Are you taking any other medicine, especially any other preparation that is to be applied to the same area of the skin?
Do you have any condition which might weaken your immune system. e.g. HIV infection, a bone marrow transplant or cancer treatment ?
If you answer YES to any of the above questions or are not sure, do not start treatment. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist first.
Use your medicine as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Apply a thin layer of Viraban ointment to the affected area(s), five times a day for five days. Use Viraban ointment as soon as the first symptoms of a cold sore appear, such as burning, tingling or itching.
You should wash your hands before and after applying the ointment, and avoid unnecessary rubbing of the lesions or touching them with a towel, to avoid aggravating or transferring the infection.
Special care should be taken to avoid contact of Viraban ointment with your eye. If you get some ointment in your eyes, wash it out with cool water. If any irritation persists, contact your doctor.
Do not use Viraban ointment inside the mouth or vagina; it may irritate.
Do not mix Viraban ointment with any other cream or lotion.
It is important to continue using Viraban ointment for the full time of treatment (five days), even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days.
Do not forget to use the ointment. If you do forget to use the ointment at any time, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for ointment to be used, skip the missed use and go back to your normal schedule. Also, do not use more often or for a longer time than recommended.
This medicine is for you. Never give it to others. It may harm them, even if their symptoms are the same as yours.
Viraban ointment can occasionally cause mild pain, drying, flaking, burning or stinging at the area where it is applied. These side effects are usually mild. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if they continue or, are intense or bothersome.
Less commonly, itching and rarely skin rash may occur. Consult your doctor if the effects persist or are bothersome. Other side effects that are not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other side effects, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
If your symptoms do not improve within 10 days or if, they become worse, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
Store below 25°C. Do not refrigerate.
DO NOT USE IN EYES
FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY
Keep your medicine out of the reach of children.
Do not keep/use this medicine when no longer needed or after its expiry date.
Besides aciclovir, Viraban cold sore ointment also contains polyethylene glycol NF400 and NF3350 as inactive ingredients.
If you are concerned about any aspect of your treatment with Viraban ointment, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Viraban ointment is made by Taro Pharmaceuticals Inc, Hawthorne, NY 10532, USA in its Canadian manufacturing plant.
Distributed in New Zealand by AFT Pharmaceuticals, Auckland, New Zealand.
Medicine classification: Pharmacy Medicine
Date of last revision: May 1999