Zovirax vs. Lysine

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

Zovirax (acyclovir) and lysine are used to treat different forms of herpes virus.

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

Lysine is used to treat cold sores (herpes simplex libialis). Lysine is also used for athletic performance enhancement, and to treat elevated pH (metabolic alkalosis).

Zovirax and lysine belong to different drug classes. Zovirax is a nucleoside analogue type antiviral and lysine is an herbal supplement.

Side effects of Zovirax and lysine that are similar include diarrhea and stomach/abdominal pain.

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

Side effects of lysine that are different from Zovirax include chronic kidney (renal) failure, inflammation in the kidney (interstitial nephritis), and increased calcium absorption.

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).

Lysine 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 Lysine include:

• diarrhea
• abdominal pain
• chronic kidney (renal) failure
• inflammation in the kidney (interstitial nephritis)
• increased calcium absorption

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

• shingles,
• chickenpox,
• and genital herpes.

Lysine is an herbal supplement used for athletic performance enhancement, or treatment for cold sores (herpes simplex libialis) and elevated pH (metabolic alkalosis).

Lysine is possibly effective for cold sores (herpes simplex labialis) treatment.

Lysine is available under the following different brand names: L-lysine and Lysine Monohydrochloride.

 

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

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider or pharmacist first.

Lysine has no known severe interactions with any drugs.

Lysine has no known serious interactions with any drugs.

Lysine has no known moderate interactions with any drugs.

Lysine has no known mild interaction with other drugs.

 

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 Lysine is as follows:

• 1,000 mg orally daily for 12 months and
• 1,000 mg orally three times daily 6 months

Topical: (Super Lysine Plus) applied every 2 hours for 11 days

Metabolic Alkalosis (elevated pH levels)

• 10 grams orally once daily, divided doses for up to 5 days