What is Zovirax ointment 5% used for?

This medication is used to treat the first outbreak of genital herpes infection. It is also used to treat non-life-threatening herpes infections of the skin and around the mouth (cold sores) in people with a weakened immune system.

How often should acyclovir cream be applied?

Acyclovir topical cream is usually applied 5 times daily for 4 days. Acyclovir topical ointment is usually applied 6 times daily for 7 days. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

How many times a day can you use acyclovir cream?

Acyclovir cream is usually applied five times a day for 4 days. Acyclovir cream may be applied at any time during a cold sore outbreak, but it works best when it is applied at the very beginning of a cold sore outbreak, when there is tingling, redness, itching, or a bump but the cold sore has not yet formed.

When should I stop using acyclovir cream?

Use the cream for at least 5 days. If the genital herpes sore has not healed by then, you can carry on using the cream for another 5 days. If the affected area has still not healed after a total of 10 days, stop using the cream and tell your doctor.

How long can you use acyclovir cream?

For topical dosage form (cream): For herpes simplex infection: Adults—Apply to the affected area(s), four to six times a day, for up to ten days.

How quickly does acyclovir work?

Response and effectiveness. May take up to two hours to reach peak plasma concentrations after oral acyclovir administration. May take up to three days for symptom reduction; however, acyclovir should be taken until the course prescribed is completed. Acyclovir works best when started within 48 hours of symptom onset.

Is 1 gram of valacyclovir a lot?

Typical dosing for Valtrex (valacyclovir) Genital herpes (recurrent outbreaks): Take 500 mg by mouth twice daily for 3 days. Genital herpes (reduction of recurrent outbreaks): Take 500 mg to 1 gram by mouth once daily. For people who also have HIV, the dose would be 500 mg by mouth twice daily.