Which is better: Acyclovir or Zovirax? This question interests many people who periodically have herpes. Usually, attending physicians help patients choose a drug. However, it should be noted that most people acquire such funds on their own, that is, without a doctor’s appointment. Therefore, to understand what is better: “Acyclovir” or “Zovirax”, have to do it first hand. In this article, we describe the features of both drugs presented, as well as compare their effectiveness.
Basic information
Modern pharmaceutical companies produce a huge number of drugs that help get rid of herpes in a short time. Among them, drugs such as Acyclovir and Zovirax are especially popular. The action of these funds is due to their composition. To determine which one is more effective and better, it is necessary to study how they affect the human body.
Form, composition of drugs
Which is better: Acyclovir or Zovirax? The main criteria for choosing these drugs are: effectiveness, price, safety and form.
As the active substance, the considered drugs contain acyclovir. This component copes well with viruses. Thus, both medicines have the same effect on the human body.
There are several forms of release of the drugs presented. They can be purchased in the form of a cream, ointment or tablets. In the acute course of the disease, these forms are best used in combination.
The “Acyclovir” and “Zovirax” tablets contain 200 mg of the active substance - acyclovir. It should be noted that the last drug can be purchased in the form of a powder intended for the preparation of an injection solution. Usually it is used for extensive herpetic eruptions, as well as if the patient can not take the tablet form of the medicine. In this situation, Zovirax defeats Acyclovir.
Main difference
Most often, for prophylactic purposes, patients use the oral form of the drug Acyclovir (tablets). Instructions, the price of this tool are listed below. To prevent the development of the disease, the patient will need only one pack of medication per month. As for a drug like Zovirax, it is less popular. What is the reason for this? The fact is that Zovirax (round tablets, white) is much more expensive than Acyclovir. By the way, the price of these funds is perhaps the main and only difference between them.
The drug in question has a high cost due to its manufacturer. As you know, the drug "Zovirax" is manufactured by an English pharmaceutical company. As for Acyclovir, it is exclusively a Russian drug.
Analogues of the drug
What to choose: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax" for herpes? If you can’t decide on the purchase of an antiviral drug, or if you just didn’t find it in a pharmacy, then you can replace it with analogues. These include the following funds: "Herpevir", "Valtrex", "Gaviran", "Valavir", "Medovir", "Virolex". All of the listed medicines are produced by different companies and have different prices. However, all of them are intended for the treatment of herpes and other viral diseases.
"Zovirax" (tablets): instructions for use
What is the drug "Zovirax"? As mentioned above, this tool is available in various forms.
3% ointment "Zovirax" is intended for the treatment of viral diseases of the eyes. It is applied in a small layer on the lower eyelid up to five times a day. After all symptoms have disappeared, this medicine should be used for several more days.
Cream "Zovirax" (acyclovir is its main active ingredient) is applied in a thin layer to the skin area with rashes. Use this tool should be no more than 4 days. Although sometimes the doctor still decides to extend the therapy for a few more days. If, in this case, no improvement is observed, then inform the doctor about it.
The oral form of the drug "Zovirax" (tablets) is prescribed to adults up to five times a day, for several days. Such a medication is used to treat viral diseases, in connection with which the duration of therapy and the dosage of the drug are determined individually. In some cases, this drug is prescribed for children.
Injections using the Zovirax solution are given to patients for 5 days. As a rule, this form of the drug is used only in a hospital under the constant supervision of doctors.
It can not be said that the medication in question is approved for use even in newborn babies. Depending on the course of the disease and the characteristics of the child’s development, a special dosage of the drug is also selected.
"Acyclovir" (tablets): instructions
The price of this medicine is not very high. As a rule, it is 40-50 rubles per 10 tablets.
The Russian manufacturer of this drug offers several forms of release: tablets, 5% ointment or cream, as well as 3% eye ointment.
The medicine "Acyclovir" (ointment for herpes) can not be used to treat children under 3 years of age. But this drug is widely used in the adult population.
Acyclovir tablets are prescribed in an amount of 200 mg every 4 hours. In severe cases, a single dose can be doubled. Moreover, the sooner the therapy is carried out, the faster the patient will recover.
An ointment with the same name is applied to the area where there are herpetic eruptions. It is used in a small amount up to 5 times a day. The course of therapy with this tool should not exceed 10 days.
In young children, such a medicine can be used only in extreme cases. With small rashes, it is advisable to treat them only with ointment, which should be applied strictly to the affected area. Only in this case, the risk of side effects will be minimal.
It is advisable to treat children with Acyclovir tablets no longer than 5 days in a row. Otherwise, the body will get used to the medication, and with repeated illness, the medication may not give the desired result.
Medication
For what purpose are patients prescribed drugs such as Acyclovir and Zovirax (tablets)? The instruction for use claims that the active substance is able to prevent the appearance of herpetic vesicles, reduce the risk of complications, accelerate the formation of crusts and not leave scars. Also, the component under consideration is effective in the treatment of herpes zoster. In addition to eliminating the disease itself, it relieves discomfort and increases the body's defenses.
Both Acyclovir tablets and Zovirax tablets can be prescribed for children with chickenpox. The use of such drugs is necessary, first of all, to prevent complications. They prevent the reproduction of the virus, as well as its spread to other organs. In addition, such drugs reduce or completely eliminate pain and inflammation, significantly reduce the number of skin rashes.
Cautious appointment
With extreme caution, the funds in question should be prescribed when:
- state of dehydration;
- kidney disease;
- diseases of the nervous system.
Also, these drugs can not be used if you are allergic to any of their components. In case of violation of the dosage of the drug or an increase in the duration of treatment, the following side effects may be observed in patients:
- nausea, anemia;
- vomiting, rash, jaundice;
- drowsiness, diarrhea, dizziness;
- urticaria, fatigue, itching.
Use during pregnancy
It is no secret to anyone that the immunity of a pregnant woman is very weak, so he is not able to withstand colds. In this period, representatives of the fair sex often have herpes. The use of "Acyclovir" and "Zovirax" in this case is allowed only if the risk ratio is beneficial to the health of a woman and harm to a baby.
Most often, such drugs are not recommended to drink during gestation. This is due to the fact that there is a high risk of the following undesirable consequences:
- stomach ache;
- allergic manifestations;
- sleep disturbance;
- disruption of the digestive system;
- dizziness and pain in the head;
- the appearance of shortness of breath.
If the use of such a drug cannot be avoided, then it is better to give your preference to “Zovirax”. This is due to the fact that it has less negative impact on the body of a woman, and therefore on the development of the child.
The choice of medication
Which is better: Acyclovir or Zovirax? Experts say that of the two drugs mentioned, it is better to choose the original, that is, Zovirax. This is due to the fact that in the process of its production several stages of purification of its components were carried out. Thus, it can be safely noted that the medicine "Zovirax" is more effective and less safe. This tool does not contain harmful impurities that can cause unwanted side effects. If the price of this drug seems too high for you, then you can replace it with Acyclovir. Although such a replacement is not always appropriate and effective. In any case, with the development of a herpetic rash, as well as with a burning sensation, tingling and itching, it is necessary to use acyclovir-based products. Thanks to this substance, you can cure herpes in a short time. In addition, if you take pills for preventive purposes, then the recurrence of the disease will be much less.
Another reason why many experts recommend the use of Zovirax is that this remedy is better held in the affected area, and therefore the patient's recovery is faster. Also, the positive aspects of this medication include the fact that it is approved for use in newborns and pregnant women (only after consulting a doctor).