Zovirax vs. Avaclyr

• Are Zovirax and Avaclyr the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zovirax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Avaclyr?
• What is Zovirax?
• What is Avaclyr?
• What Drugs Interact with Zovirax?
• What Drugs Interact with Avaclyr?
• How Should Zovirax Be Taken?
• How Should Avaclyr Be Taken?

Zovirax (acyclovir) and Avaclyr (acyclovir ophthalmic ointment) are nucleoside analogue type antivirals that interfere with the replication of herpes viruses used to treat different conditions.

Zovirax is used to treat shingles, chickenpox, and genital herpes.

Avaclyr is used to treat acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers in the eye) in patients with herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) virus.

Zovirax is an oral drug available in tablets and liquid, and Avaclyr is an ointment used in the eye.

Side effects of Zovirax that are different from Avaclyr include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, stomach pain, headache, lightheadedness, swelling in your hands and feet, and feeling unwell (malaise).

Side effects of Avaclyr that are different from Zovirax include eye pain (stinging), inflammation of the cornea (punctate keratitis), and eye infection (follicular conjunctivitis).

Zovirax may interact with probenecid, other antivirals, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, injectable osteoporosis medication, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).

Avaclyr may interact with other drugs.

Common side effects of Zovirax include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,
• stomach pain,
• headache,
• lightheadedness,
• swelling in your hands and feet,
• and feeling unwell (malaise).

Serious side effects of Zovirax include renal function problem.

Common side effects of Avaclyr include:

• eye pain (stinging),
• inflammation of the cornea (punctate keratitis), and
• eye infection (follicular conjunctivitis).

Zovirax (acyclovir) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue that interferes with the replication of herpes viruses used to treat

• shingles,
• chickenpox,
• and genital herpes.

Avaclyr (acyclovir ophthalmic ointment) is a herpes simplex virus nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated in the treatment of acute herpetic keratitis (dendritic ulcers) in patients with herpes simplex (HSV-1 and HSV-2) virus.

 

Zovirax may interact with probenecid. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Avaclyr may interact with other drugs. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using Avaclyr; it is not expected to harm a fetus. Acyclovir, the medication in Avaclyr, passes into breast milk following oral administration. It is unknown if Avaclyr passes into breast milk following ocular administration.

 

Zovirax tablets are available in 200, 400 and 800 mg strengths and as a liquid suspension with 200 mg strength per 5 ml. Usual doses are 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times a day for 10 days for shingles; doses for genital herpes infection are the same interval but start with 200 mg. Doses for chickenpox is the same as shingles except it goes for only 5 days for adults; for children ages 2 and up are weight based (20 mg per Kg) up to 40 Kg, 5 times a day for 5 days. Over 40 Kg, the person gets the adult dose for 5 days.

The dose of Avaclyr is a 1 cm ribbon applied in the lower cul-de-sac of the affected eye 5 times per day until healed then 3 times per day for 7 days.