Zovirax Injection
- Generic Name: acyclovir for injection
- Brand Name: Zovirax Injection
Zovirax Injection (Acyclovir for Injection) side effects drug center
Zovirax Injection Side Effects Center
What Is Zovirax Injection?
Zovirax (acyclovir sodium) for Injection is an antiviral that is used for treating infections caused by the herpes virus.
What Are Side Effects of Zovirax Injection?
Common side effects of Zovirax Injection include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, muscle pain, numbness or tingling, loss of coordination, drowsiness, lightheadedness, or swelling in your hands or feet.
Dosage for Zovirax Injection
Zovirax is given as an IV injection as directed by your doctor. It is usually given for at least once every 8 hours for 5 to 10 days.
What Drugs, Substances, or Supplements Interact with Zovirax Injection?
Zovirax may interact with tizanidine, probenecid, or drugs affecting the kidneys (e.g., amphotericin B, cisplatin, and aminoglycosides such as gentamicin). Tell your doctor all medications you use. Zovirax will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading the virus to others.
Zovirax Injection During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Zovirax should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. Zovirax is excreted in breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.
Additional Information
Our Zovirax (acyclovir sodium) for Injection Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.
Zovirax Injection Consumer Information
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- confusion, agitation, hallucinations, feeling less alert than usual;
- tremors, seizure;
- blood in your urine;
- kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath; or
- low blood cell counts--fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath.
Common side effects may include:
- swelling or bruising around the IV needle;
- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
- rash, itching, hives; or
- low blood cell counts.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Zovirax Injection (Acyclovir for Injection)
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Zovirax Injection Professional Information
SIDE EFFECTS
The adverse reactions listed below have been observed in controlled and uncontrolled clinical trials in approximately 700 patients who received ZOVIRAX at ~5 mg/kg (250 mg/m²) 3 times daily, and approximately 300 patients who received ~10 mg/kg (500 mg/m²) 3 times daily.
The most frequent adverse reactions reported during administration of ZOVIRAX were inflammation or phlebitis at the injection site in approximately 9% of the patients, and transient elevations of serum creatinine or BUN in 5% to 10% (the higher incidence occurred usually following rapid [less than 10 minutes] intravenous infusion). Nausea and/or vomiting occurred in approximately 7% of the patients (the majority occurring in nonhospitalized patients who received 10 mg/kg). Itching, rash, or hives occurred in approximately 2% of patients. Elevation of transaminases occurred in 1% to 2% of patients.
The following hematologic abnormalities occurred at a frequency of less than 1%: anemia, neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytosis, leukocytosis, and neutrophilia. In addition, anorexia and hematuria were observed.
Observed During Clinical Practice
In addition to adverse events reported from clinical trials, the following events have been identified during post-approval use of ZOVIRAX for Injection in clinical practice. Because they are reported voluntarily from a population of unknown size, estimates of frequency cannot be made. These events have been chosen for inclusion due to either their seriousness, frequency of reporting, potential causal connection to ZOVIRAX, or a combination of these factors.
General
Anaphylaxis, angioedema, fatigue, fever, headache, pain, peripheral edema.
Digestive
Abdominal pain, diarrhea, gastrointestinal distress, nausea.
Cardiovascular
Hematologic and Lymphatic
Disseminated intravascular coagulation, hemolysis, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, leukopenia, lymphadenopathy.
Hepatobiliary Tract and Pancreas
Elevated liver function tests, hepatitis, hyperbilirubinemia, jaundice.
Musculoskeletal
Nervous
Aggressive behavior, agitation, ataxia, coma, confusion, delirium, dizziness, dysarthria, encephalopathy, hallucinations, obtundation, paresthesia, psychosis, seizure, somnolence, tremor. These symptoms may be marked, particularly in older adults (see PRECAUTIONS).
Skin
Alopecia, erythema multiforme, photosensitive rash, pruritus, rash, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, urticaria. Severe local inflammatory reactions, including tissue necrosis, have occurred following infusion of ZOVIRAX into extravascular tissues.
Special Senses
Visual abnormalities.
Urogenital
Renal failure, elevated blood urea nitrogen, elevated creatinine (see WARNINGS).
Read the entire FDA prescribing information for Zovirax Injection (Acyclovir for Injection)
&Copy; Zovirax Injection Patient Information is supplied by Cerner Multum, Inc. and Zovirax Injection Consumer information is supplied by First Databank, Inc., used under license and subject to their respective copyrights.