What Zovirax is and what it is used for
Zovirax 200 mg/5 mL Oral Suspension (called 'Zovirax' in this leaflet)
contains a medicine called aciclovir. This belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by stopping the growth of viruses.
Zovirax 200 mg/5 mL Oral Suspension can be used to:
 treat shingles, and when started right after the rash appears, it can help reduce the nerve pain that can exist after the shingles rash has cleared treat cold sores, genital herpes and other herpes simplex infections (but not to be used to treat herpes simplex infections in newborn infants or severe herpes simplex infections in children whose immune systems work less well which means their bodies are less able to fight infections)
 stop cold sores and genital herpes returning after you have had them
 Prevent cold sores and genital herpes in people whose immune systems
work less well.
What you need to know before you take Zovirax
Do not use Zovirax if:
 you are allergic (hypersensitive) to aciclovir or valaciclovir or any of the other ingredients (listed in Section 6).
Do not take Zovirax if the above applies to you. If you are not sure, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zovirax.
Warnings and precautions
Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zovirax if:
 you have kidney problems
 You are over 65 years of age.
 you are thirsty. You must make sure you drink plenty of liquids such asÂÂ
water whilst taking this medicine.
 Your immune system is weak
If you are not sure if the above apply to you, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Zovirax.
Other medicines and Zovirax
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.
In particular tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following medicines:
 probenecid, used to treat gout cimetidine, used to treat stomach ulcers Taking Zovirax with food and drink
Food and drink is not affect the absorption of your medicine
