According to the instructions, "Zovirax" is an eye ointment designed to fight viruses, increase local immunity. In addition to ointment, an agent based on acyclovir is on sale in tablets, gel, substance for injection. The drug is effective against widespread viruses that provoke various forms of herpes, and is also used for smallpox, infection with cytomegalovirus and Epstein's infectious agent, Barr.
general information
It helps, as indicated in the instructions, ointment "Zovirax" from herpes, infectious diseases, chickenpox. You can use the drug in some cases if AIDS is established. If the patient has undergone a bone marrow transplant, to preserve health, improve well-being, they can also prescribe the drug on acyclovir. Since the ointment is intended for the eyes, it is on sale represented by the drug “Zovirax ophthalmic. The doctor makes a choice between this form and alternative release options, assessing the patient's condition, diagnoses, and manifestations of the disease.
Ointment for eyes "Zovirax" (instructions must be included in the package) is available in the form of a homogeneous mass. The texture is somewhat similar to oil. The tube should not have grains, lumps. “Zovirax” is characterized by an unusual smell. The color is white, the ointment is translucent. The drug is packaged in an aluminum tube. Volume - 4.5 g.
Technical aspects
In the reviews, instructions for the ointment "Zovirax" it is noted that the tool exhibits a pronounced antiviral effect. The manufacturer explains this with the activity of the main substance used to make the drug - acyclovir, which is allocated 3% of the total amount of the drug, that is, for each gram of ointment - 30 mg of acyclovir. In addition to the antiviral compound, the composition has special components that improve efficiency and simplify its use.
The complete current list is always listed in the instructions for use. People with allergic reactions to various substances used in the pharmaceutical industry should familiarize themselves with it. A detailed study of the list helps to prevent a negative response from the body. It is also necessary to warn about a possible allergy to the doctor prescribing the composition.
Acyclovir shows pronounced activity against such viruses:
- first and second type of herpes;
- chickenpox;
- cytomegalovirus;
- Epstein virus - Barr.
Local application of the ointment allows you to achieve the most pronounced effect on the affected area of the organs of vision. At the same time, improvement affects the skin, mucous membranes. Acyclovir does not penetrate the circulatory system and does not show a systemic effect.
According to the instructions for use, Zovirax eye ointment soon after application enters the body cells infected with the virus. Biochemical reactions during which the viral enzyme thymidine kinase is produced are inhibited. Acyclovir triphosphate reacts with the polymerase responsible for the generation of viral DNA, and the acyclovir derivative is included in the new structure. The presence of a DNA defect makes it impossible to further multiply the pathological form of life, inhibits the functioning of the virus, and prevents reproduction. In medicine, this effect is called a “false substrate” when the components are replaced.
Application rules
From the instructions for use of the Zovirax ointment from herpes and other viruses, it follows that the drug has a high level of selectivity. Acyclovir affects exclusively infected cells, without affecting healthy ones. This allows us to rank Zovirax as the safest means to fight viruses - the drug is toxic to a low degree. The manufacturer warns: “Zovirax” is not intended for a long course of treatment, as there is a risk of superinfection resistant to acyclovir.
The instructions for the use of Zovirax ointment for herpes say that the drug is effective when the infection provoked keratitis.
You can not use the drug if an allergic reaction is established or hypersensitivity to:
The use of the drug is quite simple: a small amount of the drug is squeezed out of the tube and evenly distributed under the lower eyelid. The manufacturer recommended repeating the procedure daily five times. The duration of therapy is until the symptoms of keratitis completely disappear, and an additional three days as a preventive measure. As the manufacturer warns in the instructions for use, the Zovirax eye ointment immediately after use can cause a slight burning sensation of the treated skin areas. Such sensations do not require discontinuation of the drug, they pass through a short time on their own.
An important condition for safe use - it is unacceptable to use contact lenses during the course of treatment. If necessary, vision correction will have to use glasses.
Special occasion
As follows from the instructions, Zovirax ointment during pregnancy can be used to treat keratitis without any fear. The drug is absorbed into the circulatory system in such an insignificant amount that it can not have a significant effect on either the mother's body or the condition of the fetus.
The manufacturer draws attention to the fact that during pregnancy, the use of Zovirax ointment (in the instructions pay special attention to this) is possible only after coordinating the program with the treating doctor. No clinical trials have been conducted to confirm the safety of the composition for pregnant women, the absence of negative effects on the female body or embryo.
In medical practice, the use of Zovirax ointment for various forms of herpes, including damage to the lips and skin, is widespread. This is due to the absence of a negative effect and the inability to resort to forms of the drug that have a systemic effect: injections and pills for women in a "interesting" position under the ban.
Observations showed that there was no negative effect on the fetus when using Zovirax during the period of gestation. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the studies were not formalized in the form of scientific research, therefore there is a risk of their fallacy.
Ointment "Zovirax" for children
The instructions for use indicate that you can use the drug from the moment of birth. The agent is applied up to five times daily, treating the lower eyelid, if signs of keratitis are detected. The drug is used until the symptoms of the disease completely disappear.
Ointment can be used if the child has a herpetic rash, a rash caused by chickenpox. Zovirax has been used since infancy.
If necessary, preventive measures to prevent relapse "Zovirax" is used under the supervision of a doctor and in accordance with his recommendations.
Safety and reliability
The manufacturer in the instructions for use ophthalmic ointment "Zovirax" recommends applying to the affected areas of the organs of vision with four-hour intervals between sets. To prevent the spread of the virus to other areas of the skin, a cotton swab should be used, evenly distributing the composition to the affected areas. The duration of this course should be at least four days, even if the symptomatology has exhausted itself earlier. If short-term therapy does not show a pronounced result, “Zovirax” is used for no more than ten days. If, according to the results of this period, there is still no effect, you should make an appointment with the doctor to select a replacement.
After the symptoms disappear completely, the Zovirax ointment (instructions for use draws special attention to this) is used for another three days. This ensures a minimal risk of relapse.
According to the instructions for use, Zovirax ointment can cause minor side effects. The most characteristic is the previously mentioned mild burning sensation, which soon passes by itself and does not require any intervention or use of drugs. In rare cases, ointment can cause:
- conjunctivitis;
- keratopathy (does not require discontinuation of therapy, the problem exhausts itself after completion of the course);
- blepharitis.
There is a risk of developing an allergic response to the body. Very rarely, against the background of the use of ointment, angioedema is observed.
Note!
As noted in the instructions for Zovirax ointment, acyclovir shows the most pronounced effect when the disease only begins to develop, so it is reasonable to start treatment, the first signs are barely noticed.
Application to the mucous eyes can cause an inflammatory reaction, so you should carefully apply the ointment, laying it strictly under the lower eyelid. If the disease is established against the background of immunodeficiency, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations. It is unacceptable to conduct treatment on your own, without consulting a specialist.
Instructions for the use of Zovirax ointment on acyclovir states that the drug does not show interaction with other drugs, does not enter into chemical reactions. There is no decrease or activation of the effect of "Zovirax" or other formulations taken by the patient. This applies not only to eye ointment, but also to all other forms of the drug on acyclovir.
Alternative option
The greatest matches are observed in the instructions for ointments "Zovirax" and "Acyclovir". Analogues of Zovirax are also:
Analogs: Herpevir
As in the instructions for the Zovirax ointment, the accompanying documentation states that the antiviral agent is based on acyclovir and is effective against the first and second types of herpes simplex. "Gerpevir" is intended for use locally, externally. The tool is suitable for the treatment of persons who have reached the age of twelve. The optimal application format is five times daily, breaks between sets are four hours. The most pronounced result is observed if you start using the ointment immediately, as soon as the first symptoms of the disease appear. The duration of treatment is 4 days, but it is possible to lengthen the course to ten if the manifestations continue to bother. In the absence of a pronounced effect with a ten-day use, you should consult a doctor for recommendations. An alternative would probably be chosen.
Manufacturers warn in the instructions for ointments "Zovirax", "Gerpevir", prolonged local use of medications can cause negative reactions of the body. In the case of Zovirax, the manufacturer warns of the possibility of superinfection. "Herpevir" can provoke:
- skin peeling;
- erythema;
- burn;
- burning.
After the drug is canceled, unpleasant manifestations soon pass on their own.
Herpevir: Important Aspects
According to the instructions for ointments "Zovirax", "Gerpevir", drugs on acyclovir can provoke an allergic reaction of the body. In addition, possible side effects of Herpevir include:
- soreness at the site of application;
- skin peeling;
- rash;
- dry skin;
- burning;
- erythema.
In rare cases, there is a risk of an immediate allergic reaction. The most difficult scenario of its development is angioneurotic edema.
Zovirax ointment (according to the instructions) by children and adults can be used equally effectively. "Herpevir" has more stringent restrictions: the drug is intended only for people who have reached the age of 12 years. Both drugs can not be used if hypersensitivity to acyclovir is established. You can not apply "Herpevir" if the negative response of the body to other components of the drug is known.
During gestation, breastfeeding “Gerpevir” can be used if the obvious benefit to the woman exceeds the possible risks to the embryo. Similar restrictions apply to the use of "Herpevir" during lactation.
Technical points
As in the case of Zovirax, the possibility of interaction with other medicinal formulations has not been proven with respect to Herpevir.
Ointment includes not only acyclovir, but also auxiliary compounds:
- emulsifier;
- propylene glycol;
- propylene oxide;
- proxanol.
For one gram of medication - 25 mg of acyclovir. On sale are aluminum tubes containing 5 or 15 g of the drug.
Analogs: Acyclovir
Perhaps, Acyclovir is the most famous and popular drug for stopping viral activity in the organs of vision. The product is sold in the form of a three percent ointment, painted white or has a slight shade of yellow. Some manufacturers "Acyclovir" yellow. For one gram of medication, 30 mg of acyclovir falls, the other volume is petrolatum.
On the pharmacy shelves, “Acyclovir” is represented by cardboard packaging containing instructions for use and an aluminum tube with 10 grams of ointment.
"Acyclovir" is one of the antiviral drugs widely used to combat herpes. This is a synthetic agent similar in structure to thymidine nucleoside.
Biology and chemistry: features
The principle of action of the ointment "Acyclovir" is similar to the preparation "Zovirax", since the main component of these two medicines is identical.
Virus-infected cells in the body contain thymidine kinase. When surfaces are treated with acyclovir, a phosphorylation reaction is initiated, leading to the formation of monophosphate of the active substance. Monophosphate is converted to diphosphate with the participation of guanylate cyclase. The next reaction involves the interaction of cellular enzymes, the result is the formation of acyclovir triphosphate. This compound is produced strictly in intact cells, which means that the drug is generally safe for humans and practically non-toxic.
Acyclovir triphosphate is able to penetrate into deoxyribonucleic acid, which prevents the propagation of a pathological microorganism. An extremely high selectivity combined with specificity leads to the accumulation of an active metabolite only in cells infected with herpes infection.
"Acyclovir" is prescribed if herpes of the first or second type is installed, as well as a virus:
- tinea versicolor;
- Epstein - Barr;
- chicken pox.
The agent shows moderate activity against cytomegalovirus.
If Acyclovir is used in the treatment of herpes infection, the drug prevents the appearance of new foci, rashes, reduces the risk of dissemination of the skin, and reduces the likelihood of visceral complications. On the background of the use of Acyclovir, crusts appear less often, pain is weakened if the patient develops herpes zoster and suffers acute pathology.
Kinetics and features
As clinical trials have shown, acyclovir is able to quickly penetrate through the corneal epithelium into the intraocular fluid, where it reaches a concentration sufficient for a pronounced therapeutic effect. It is believed that a small amount of acyclovir can enter the circulatory system, but reliable methods for detecting this currently do not exist, since the volumes are too small. When using the “Acyclovir” eye ointment, the active component can be found in urine, but the concentration is too low to speak about the effect on the body - it is not given therapeutic value.
"Acyclovir" is not used during lactation. The tool can not be used if an allergic response is established to:
For children and adults, the dosage of the eye ointment is the same - a centimeter strip of the drug is placed under the lower eyelid in the conjunctival sac. Frequency of use - five times with four-hour breaks between them. The drug is used until complete recovery and another three days after it for the prevention of relapse.
Side effects
Studies have shown the following possible negative reactions of the patient's body:
- allergic response;
- angioedema;
- keratopathy;
- conjunctivitis;
- blepharitis;
- slight burning of treated areas.
For allergies, use is immediately discontinued. Keratopathy does not require a course stop, as the symptoms disappear on their own when the ointment is stopped.
Specific cases
With an accidental ingestion of ointment, an overdose is possible that manifests itself:
- shortness of breath
- nausea
- violation of the stool;
- renal failure;
- convulsiveness
- headache.
There may be neurological disturbances due to the use of ointment in food. The most severe consequences of an overdose are lethargy, coma.
There is no specific antidote, symptomatic treatment is carried out. Hemodialysis is possible.
Features of the application program
The simultaneous use of drugs on acyclovir and immunostimulants enhances the effectiveness of the first group.
The result will be the brighter and faster achieved, the sooner it was possible to start treatment. The best option is the use of “Acyclovir” at the first sign of infection.
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The drug is sold without a prescription, it is presented in almost any modern pharmacy. After opening, the composition should be used for no more than a month, after this period the medication becomes unusable.