Treat With Zovirax

Get your Zovirax treatment* online in a few simple steps, without having to see your doctor. Our virtual care service connects you to highly trained clinicians who can assess your health needs and safely prescribe your treatment.

* Includes Free Private Prescription & Consultation
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MEDICAL INFORMATION

Zovirax Key Facts

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Medically reviewed by Navin Khosla, B.Pharm
Written by

Created
September 23, 2024 (Current Version)

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Other known brand names

Sitavig

About Zovirax

Zovirax contains aciclovir, an antiviral, as its active ingredient. It is used for the treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis) and genital herpes (herpes simplex strain 2, HSV-2), which are both herpes viruses.

Aciclovir is also used to treat varicella zoster virus (VZV, herpes zoster), which causes chickenpox and shingles and is also used in immunocompromised patients to prevent infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) in those who have had an organ transplant.

Aciclovir’s mechanism of action is to block certain enzymes in the virus, preventing virus replication. This allows your immune system to control the infection.

NowPatient offers Zovirax and generic aciclovir for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, and shingles, following an online consultation with a prescribing clinician.

Key facts of Zovirax

  • Zovirax is an antiviral treatment used for genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults
  • Zovirax has some common side effects which include skin reactions, nausea and vomiting
  • It can be dangerous if you take Zovirax with certain medications. If you’re not sure if it is safe, discuss this with the prescribing clinician

Who is Zovirax suitable for?

Zovirax is suitable for adults between 18 and 65 years of age.

Who is Zovirax not suitable for?

Zovirax may not be suitable for some people. To make sure it’s safe for you, speak to the prescribing clinician before using Zovirax if you:

  • Have had an allergic reaction to the active ingredient aciclovir in the past or any of the other inactive ingredients such as dimeticone, liquid paraffin, propylene glycol, poloxamer 407, purified water, or sodium laurilsulfate
  • Have kidney disease
  • Have liver problems
  • Are over 65 years of age
  • Have a weak immune system

How and where to get Zovirax?

You can buy Zovirax safely and securely from NowPatient. You can start a consultation today for free and if you qualify for treatment, you only pay for the cost of the medication. Delivery is made to your home or office from our registered pharmacy.

Our service is certified, safe and effective, and we only ever treat conditions. If you book a consultation with a prescribing clinician for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles, you can discuss if Zovirax is a suitable treatment option for you.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if a treatment plan is suitable for you. If it is, the clinician will issue you with a prescription which can then be ordered, paid for and delivered directly to your chosen address by NowPatient.

Dosage and strength for Zovirax for Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, and shingles

Zovirax is available as a Zovirax tablets, Zovirax cream, suspension, or powder for infusion. When used for Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles, it is available in tablets ranging from 200 to 800 mg tablets.

Information about how to take Zovirax for Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, and shingles

Your dose of Zovirax will depend on the condition you are being treated for:

  • Herpes Simplex virus – 200mg, five times a day for 5 days at approximately four hourly intervals
  • Genital herpes – 200mg, five times a day or 400mg three times a day for 5 days or longer if new lesion appear or healing incomplete
  • Shingles – 800mg five times a day for 7 days at 4 hourly intervals

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at your usual time. You should always complete the course of treatment as prescribed by your healthcare provider and read the patient information leaflet provided with your medication for further drug information.

What happens if you take too much Zovirax?

If you take more than prescribed, then it can lead to some unpleasant side effects. You should talk to your doctor or reach out to one of our prescribing clinicians, if you have taken too much aciclovir and you experience any of the following side effects:

What are the side effects of Zovirax?

Very common side effects include:

  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Photosensitivity
  • Skin rash
  • Itching

If you experience any serious side effects, you should contact NHS 111.

If you experience a serious allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis with the signs shown below you should contact emergency services on 999.

  • Your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
  • You’re breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you’re choking or gasping for air)
  • Your throat feels tight or you’re struggling to swallow
  • Your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
  • You suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
  • Someone faints and cannot be woken up

Information about taking Zovirax at the same time as other medications or herbal supplements

There is not enough evidence to suggest there are any drug interactions between herbal supplements and Zovirax. In any event, you should let your prescribing clinician know if you are taking any herbal supplements.

Also, speak to your doctor if you are taking certain prescription drugs, in case of drug interactions:

  • Aminoglycosides
  • Methotrexate
  • Cyclosporin
  • Tacrolimus
  • Cimetidine
  • Probenecid

Can Zovirax taken for Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, shingles be taken long term?

Courses of treatment of Zovirax range from 5 to 7 days. If your condition has not improved within this time, speak to your doctor for medical advice.

Is there a herbal Zovirax?

No. Herbal Zovirax does not exist. If you have been marketed such a formulation, it may be fake.

Can women use Zovirax?

Women can take Zovirax for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles. However, Zovirax is not recommended during pregnancy or if you are breastfeeding as acyclovir may pass into breast milk. Checking with your doctor before taking Zovirax.

Should I avoid any particular food or drink when taking Zovirax?

You can eat and drink normally when taking Zovirax for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles.

What lifestyle changes can I make to help me with Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles?

Condoms can reduce the risk of getting genital herpes if used correctly, but be aware, a condom will only protect the area of the body it covers. You should also avoid sex while you have outbreaks of sores or blisters.

Shingles develops when the varicella-zoster virus, which originally caused chickenpox, is reactivated in your body, after you have already had chickenpox. There are vaccines such as Shingrix that are now available. Speak to your doctor for advice if you are considering the Shingrix vaccine.

Alternatives to Zovirax

Alternatives for the treatment of Herpes Simplex virus, genital herpes, or shingles include other antiviral drugs such as Valtrex, valacyclovir, Famvir, or famciclovir.

Sources

Medical Disclaimer

NowPatient has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that all material is factually accurate, complete, and current. However, the knowledge and experience of a qualified healthcare professional should always be sought after instead of using the information on this page. Before taking any drug, you should always speak to your doctor or another qualified healthcare provider.

The information provided here about medications is subject to change and is not meant to include all uses, precautions, warnings, directions, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or negative effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a particular medication does not imply that the medication or medication combination is appropriate for all patients or for all possible purposes.

Service Guide

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Treated Privately With Zovirax

What does the Get Treated Privately service for Zovirax do?

The Get Treated Privately service is a private prescribing service which is designed for adults aged 18 years and over, who are experiencing health issues and who would like to receive a fast-track assessment and if applicable, a treatment plan from a qualified prescribing clinician. Treatments for Zovirax are dispensed and delivered to your home or workplace from our regulated online pharmacy.

Is this a safe Zovirax prescribing service?

Yes. Our formulary of medications prescribed and conditions treated are controlled, governed, and continuously risk-assessed by our Medical Director, Dr Ihtesham Sabri. Unlike other prescribing services which operate using faceless questionnaires, our Zovirax prescribing service is conducted through remote video consultations, also known as synchronous consultations. This builds patient safety and prescribing appropriateness into our service, ensuring our prescribing clinicians can be satisfied with who and what they are treating. There is no guarantee of supply of medications, and any prescriptions supplied are at the sole discretion of our clinician prescriber. There is no charge for the Zovirax consultation.

What is a prescribing clinician and is it safe for me to use them on the NowPatient platform?

Our prescribing clinicians are board-certified pharmacists, nurses, or doctors who can also prescribe any medicine for any medical condition, subject to accepted accreditation and good clinical practice. They are all registered with their respective regulatory bodies. For example, a pharmacist independent prescriber is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). Each prescribing clinician undergoes an extensive background check including a disclosure and barring service check (DBS). In addition, they undergo a rigorous license verification process. When you book an appointment with our prescribing clinicians you will see their full name, license number, and any specialized credentials they have.

Is the service available worldwide?

Yes, you can get treated privately for Zovirax worldwide.

Do I need to pay for this service?

Yes. This is a private service. You do not need to pay for the consultation. You only pay for the cost of the Zovirax you are prescribed.

How do I book a consultation?

Once you have logged into your account, you will need to navigate to the Get Treated Privately service card which is located as a service item on the dashboard.

Using the action button on the service card, you can select one of the following – ‘Search Treatments’ or ‘Search Conditions’. From here you can search for Zovirax.

Depending on the search type and the product/condition that you would like to get treated, you will be taken to a consultation booking screen. Follow the simple steps to complete your booking. During the booking confirmation, you will be able to select a date and time that is convenient for you, along with the preferred language and gender of the prescribing clinician you wish to choose. You will then see a list of all available expert clinicians who are trained to assess the medication or condition chosen. Once you have confirmed your booking, you will see a summary of the appointment including preliminary information about the consultation. At this point, you will also be able to add a reminder to your calendar. Always ensure your account health profile is up to date before any consultation. This ensures that our clinicians have the most up-to-date information about your current health status and anything that may influence their prescribing decisions. You will receive a push notification, SMS notification and email reminding you of your consultation, 30 minutes before the virtual consultation is due to start.

Depending on certain medications which require our clinicians to have your up-to-date blood pressure readings, you may be required to submit a virtual blood pressure check, using your smartphone or device. We will provide you with full instructions, when this is required.

What happens during the remote video consultation?

During the consultation, the clinician will ask you a series of questions that will allow the clinician to assess your condition and potential treatment options including Zovirax. At the end of the consultation, the clinician will decide if Zovirax is a safe and suitable option for you.

If it is, the clinician will discuss the treatment option, so that you can jointly agree on the treatment plan. Once you have jointly agreed on a treatment plan, the clinician will issue a prescription for Zovirax which will be available in your Cart at the end of the consultation.

Also, with your consent, the clinician may wish to inform your doctor of the treatment that was prescribed. We recommend that you agree to this since your doctor is responsible for your overall care and they should have a record of this consultation and medication prescribed. In addition, our clinician may take the opportunity to advise you on your overall health including advice on healthy living or stop smoking.

What happens at the end of the Zovirax consultation?

At the end of the consultation, you will receive a notification which will summarise the outcome. It will also advise you if any referrals were made to your doctor, along with any other advice that was given to you by the clinician.

If a referral letter was issued to your doctor, you will be able to view a copy of this in the ‘Documents’ section of the dashboard.

If you were prescribed a treatment, it will now be available in your Cart.

When you go to your Cart, you will be able to select the treatment, checkout and make payment. Once the checkout is complete, your prescription order will be sent to our regulated online pharmacy for processing.

What if the prescriber does not prescribe Zovirax?

We operate a safe prescribing service. This means that our prescribing clinicians always exercise their clinical judgment when prescribing . Unfortunately, we do not operate a self select service where you can choose a medication and simply buy. If the clinician that sees you does not prescribe anything, then you will not be charged.

Will I get status updates for my Zovirax order?

Yes. When your Zovirax prescription is approved, and after you have checked out and paid for your order, we will keep you fully updated with the status of your order. Every time the status of your order changes, you will be notified immediately. These notifications will appear in the ‘Notification Feed’ section on the dashboard.

How will my Zovirax be delivered?

All orders are shipped in discreet and unmarked packaging. This means it is suitable for delivery wherever you require (home, work, or a neighbour).

For thermo-sensitive orders (e.g. Insulin or weight loss injections) we use cold chain-validated packaging. Your parcel will normally receive an estimated delivery window from the courier on the day of delivery.

For your protection and safety, your first order can only be delivered to the address that is registered with NowPatient. Future orders can be delivered to any other address, for example, your workplace.

Do you ship cold-chain or temperature sensitive products?

Yes. We use a specialist courier service for all thermo-sensitive deliveries. This is to ensure that cold chain integrity is always maintained and thus the product quality, safety and efficacy.

Learn more about how we handle the delivery of temperature sensitive products.

Where do you deliver?

We currently deliver to all postcodes/zipcodes worldwide. Some postcodes in rural areas may have a slightly longer delivery time.

When will my order arrive?

We aim to ship all orders placed Monday – Friday before 3pm on the same day. Orders placed outside these times will be shipped the next working day. All deliveries are shipped by Royal Mail, which delivers Monday through Saturday in the UK. For deliveries outside of the UK, please check with your national postal service for accurate delivery days.

Our delivery options have the following delivery times:

  • UK – Royal Mail Tracked 24 & Signed for Delivery – Next day delivery
  • Europe – Royal Mail Tracked – Typical delivery of 3-5 working days
  • Worldwide – Royal Mail – Typical delivery of 5-7 working days. If a tracked option is available for your country via Royal Mail, this service will be applied.

What should I do if my order has not arrived?

Delivery is normally made promptly after your dispatch notification is received. You can check the tracking details of your Zovirax order in the ‘Notification Feed’ section of the dashboard, at any point after dispatch.

Unfortunately, packages can sometimes get lost in the delivery system. If after 10 days you have not received your delivery, please contact us and we will do all we can to resolve the problem.

Can you prescribe GLP-1 weight loss injections?

Yes. However, with GLP-1 weight loss medications, the license requires that there are support resources put in place as part of the plan including coaching for a healthy lifestyle, exercise, and diet. Our clinicians will discuss this with you, if you are prescribed this type of treatment.

You can learn more on our Weight Loss Programs feature page.

What’s included with my order?

If you are ordering prescription medication, your order will contain your medication only.

If you are ordering weight loss injections, your order will contain:

  • Your prescription of pre-filled weight loss injection pens
  • Needles
  • Sharps bin for safe disposal of needles (if ordered as part of the bundle)

Can I reorder my medication, if I have already been prescribed a course?

Yes. However, as a responsible prescribing service, we do not issue more than one monthly cycle of medication at a time.

This means that, if you would like to reorder, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This is important, because it allows our clinicians to keep track on the progress of your treatment plan and ensure that the medication remains safe and effective for you.

What is the earliest I can reorder my medication or treatment?

14 days after you have received your first monthly supply of Zovirax, we will send you a notification to advise you that you are eligible to reorder your medication. To ensure that we are able to safely prescribe Zovirax for the next supply, you will need to rebook a consultation.

This ensures that our clinician can check in on your treatment plan and ensure it is working as intended and continues to be safe, suitable and appropriate for you.

How do I reorder my Zovirax?

When you are eligible to reorder your next Zovirax prescription, we will send you a notification reminder. This notification reminder will request that you book a consultation with a NowPatient Clinician.

You should book a suitable time and date for the consultation.

At the end of the consultation, the clinician may advise you to either

  • Stop the treatment
  • Stay on the current dose of Zovirax
  • Increase the dose of Zovirax

If our clinician deems it safe for you to continue with Zovirax, the prescription will be added to your cart, from where you can checkout.

Delivery will be made in line with our delivery timescales.

As a responsible prescribing service, we will always monitor your Zovirax treatment plan to ensure that it remains safe, effective and suitable for you.

How do I reorder weight loss medication?

Our weight loss programs are built to closely monitor treatment progress and safety. Please refer to the Weight Loss Programs Service Guide that explains how you can reorder or step edit your dose.