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Overview

Zoster 5% Cream

Manufacturer :  Leeford Healthcare Ltd
Medicine Composition :  Acyclovir
Prescription vs OTC : Prescription by Doctor required

About Zoster 5% Cream

Zoster 5% Cream is an antiviral drug. It is used to treat infections caused by certain types of herpes viruses. However, it is not a cure for these infections (recurrences tend to appear within 3 months of original infection), nor will this medication reduce the risk of transmission to others when lesions are present.

The viruses causing these infections continue to live in the body. Zoster 5% Cream only decreases the length and severity of these outbreaks. Zoster 5% Cream is used to treat cold sores surrounding the mouth, shingles, chickenpox and genital herpes.

People, who suffer frequently from this, take the drug to reduce future occurrences. It helps the sores heal faster, prevents the formation of new sores and decreases pain or itching. This medication may also help reduce the time for which pain remains after the sores heal. In people with a weak immune system, Zoster 5% Cream can reduce the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious infections.

Treatment with Zoster 5% Cream should be started as soon as the first symptoms such as tingling, burning, blisters present themselves. Zoster 5% Cream does not harm an unborn child. But a doctor should still be consulted before taking this medicine, especially if pregnant or planning to become pregnant.

Some side effects include nausea, diarrhoea, kidney problems and low platelet count. Greater care is recommended for those with poor kidney or liver function.

Take as directed for full course of therapy; do not discontinue even if feeling better. Maintain adequate hydration (2-3 L/day of fluids unless instructed to restrict fluid intake) to prevent renal complications. Avoid use of other topical creams, lotions, or ointments unless approved by prescriber.

You may experience nausea or vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking lozenges, or chewing gum may help); lightheadedness or dizziness (use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known); headache, fever, muscle pain (an analgesic may be recommended).

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the uses of Zoster 5% Cream

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the contraindications of Zoster 5% Cream ?

    • Hypersensitivity

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the side effects of Zoster 5% Cream ?

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    Key highlights of Zoster 5% Cream

    • Is It safe with alcohol?

      It is generally safe to consume alcohol with this medicine.

    • Are there any pregnancy warnings?

      This medicine is probably safe to use during pregnancy.
      Animal studies have shown low or no adverse effect on the foetus, however, there are limited human studies. Please consult your doctor.

    • Are there any breast-feeding warnings?

      Unknown. Human and animal studies are not available. Please consult your doctor.

    • Does this affect kidney function?

      Caution should be used in patients with renal impairment.

    • Does this affect liver function?

      There is no data available. Please consult doctor before consuming the drug.

    • Is it safe to drive while on this medicine?

      This drug may cause light-headedness or dizziness, thus use caution when driving or engaging in tasks that require alertness until response to drug is known.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the substitutes for Zoster 5% Cream ?

    Below is the list of medicines, which have the same composition, strength and form as Zoster 5% Cream , and hence can be used as its substitute.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    What are the dosage instructions?

    • Are there any missed dose instructions?

      If you miss a dose of Acyclovir, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.

    Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

    How does this medication work?

    The active constituent of this medication is converted into acyclovir monophosphate by the help of viral thymidine kinase. It is further converted by cellular guanylate kinase into diphosphate. At the very end, it is converted by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, phosphoglycerate kinase and pyruvate kinase into triphosphate.

      Information given here is based on the salt content of the medicine. Uses and effects of the medicine may vary from person to person. It is advisable to consult a Internal Medicine Specialist before using this medicine.

      What are the interactions of Zoster 5% Cream ?

      Whenever you take more than one medicine, or mix it with certain foods or beverages, you"re at risk of a drug interaction.

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      • Interaction with Medicine

        Increased CNS side effects with zidovudine and probenecid.
      • Interaction with Disease

        Use with caution in patients with pre-existing renal disease or in those receiving other nephrotoxic drugs concurrently; maintain adequate urine output during the first 2 hours after I.V. infusion; use with caution in patients with underlying neurologic abnormalities, serious hepatic or electrolyte abnormalities, or substantial hypoxia. Use with caution in immunocompromised patients; thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) has been reported.

      FAQs about Zoster 5% Cream

      • Ques : Will I get cured after taking Zoster 5% Cream for shingles?

        Ans : It is an antiviral medicine that is effective against herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses. It does not cure infections caused by these viruses but helps to minimize the symptoms and shorten the duration of infection.

      • Ques : Does Zoster 5% Cream prevent transmission of infection to others?

        Ans : No, you can infect other people, even while you are being treated with this medication.

      • Ques : What are the serious side effects of Zoster 5% Cream?

        Ans : Side effects include hives, blistering or peeling rash, yellow skin or eyes, unusual bruising or bleeding, loss of consciousness, fits, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations and swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat.

      • Ques : Do elderly patients need to be more careful while taking Zoster 5% Cream?

        Ans : Older adults (over age 65 years) tend to experience more side effects when taking this drug. It is advised that elderly patients should drink plenty of water while taking Acyclovir, and their kidney function should be monitored.

      • Ques : What can happen if somebody takes more than the recommended dose of Zoster 5% Cream accidentally?

        Ans : Overdoses of oral Zoster 5% Cream over several days may cause nausea, vomiting, confusion, and headache. You are advised to consult your doctor in case of an overdose.

      • Ques : Can I get resistant to Zoster 5% Cream treatment?

        Ans : Patients with advanced HIV disease or patients with impaired immunity have reported resistance to Zoster 5% Cream.

      • Ques : Is hair loss caused due to Zoster 5% Cream permanent?

        Ans : No, hair loss is an uncommon side effect of Zoster 5% Cream. It stops when the medicine is discontinued.

      References

      • Acyclovir-Drug Information Portal [Internet].druginfo.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

        https://druginfo.nlm.nih.gov/drugportal/name/acyclovir

      • Acyclovir-DrugBank Online [Internet].go.drugbank.com 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

        https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00787

      • ACYCLOVIR tablet,solution-DailyMed [Internet].dailymed.nlm.nih.gov 2022 [Cited 20 June 2022].Available from:

        https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/search.cfm?labeltype=all&query=ACYCLOVIR

      Disclaimer : The information produced here is best of our knowledge and experience and we have tried our best to make it as accurate and up-to-date as possible, but we would like to request that it should not be treated as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment.

      Lybrate is a medium to provide our audience with the common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. Even if there is no mention of a warning for any drug or combination, it never means that we are claiming that the drug or combination is safe for consumption without any proper consultation with an expert.

      Lybrate does not take responsibility for any aspect of medicines or treatments. If you have any doubts about your medication, we strongly recommend you to see a doctor immediately.
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      Written ByDrx Hina FirdousPhD (Pharmacology) Pursuing, M.Pharma (Pharmacology), B.Pharma - Certificate in Nutrition and Child CarePharmacology
      Reviewed By
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      Reviewed ByDr. Garima SharmaMBBS, Master in Healthcare Administration, Diploma in Occupational HealthGeneral Physician
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