Acivir Cream
Available Dosages
| SKU | 9 |
|---|---|
| Generic For | Zovirax |
| Strength | 10gm |
| Active Ingredient | Acyclovir |
| Pack Size | Qty | Price Per Pill or Unit | Price | Cart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Tube/s | US$ 14.00 | US$ 14.00 | |||
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| 3 Tube/s | US$ 8.00 | US$ 24.0043%US$ 42.00 | |||
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| 6 Tube/s | US$ 6.00 | US$ 36.0057%US$ 84.00 | |||
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Acivir cream is a topical medication used in treating herpes simplex virus infection of the skin including initial episodes of genital herpes and treating herpes labialis. The active ingredient of the medicine is Acyclovir, which falls into the category of drugs known as antivirals. The antiviral agent is highly active against herpes simplex virus, including herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 and varicella zoster virus. The medicine helps to reduce the inflammation and stop the pain caused by herpes and clears up the lesions in less time.
What is Acivir cream 5% used for?
Acivir cream is indicated for the following conditions:
- Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores)
- Life threatening herpes simplex infections in immunocompromised patients
How does Acivir 5% cream work?
Acivir Cream works by interfering with viral DNA synthesis. This activity results in inhibiting viral replication decrease viral shedding and reduces the time for healing of lesions.
What medications interact with Acivir cream?
Inform your physician if you are using any other medications topically or orally to avoid drug interaction. Your physician will provide a list of drugs that may interact with your antiviral agent and cause serious side effects.
How should Acivir cream be used?
Herpes labial
For the treatment of adults and children above 12 years of age- Apply five times daily for four days. A patient must start using it at first symptom. Apply the preparation to skin lesions only. Avoid eye area while applying the cream.
An individual using Acivir cream must wear rubber gloves to prevent autoinoculation of other body sites and spreading of infection to other people. Apply the cream in sufficient quantity to adequately cover all the lesions.
When should Acivir cream not be used?
- A patient with herpes labial infection should not use Acyclovir cream in case of hypersensitivity towards any ingredients of the formulation.
- Avoid giving it to pregnant women unless the potential benefits justify the potential risk to the baby.
- Exercise caution while using this antiviral agent to a nursing mother because it is still not known whether the topical preparation is secreted in breast milk.
- The safety and effectiveness of the medicine in children than two years of age have not been established.
- The medicinal product is not suitable for application to mucous membranes such as vagina, eye, mouth, and nose as it may cause irritation.
How long should Acivir cream be used?
It is important to start Acivir treatment of recurrent episodes during the prodromal period or when the lesions appear for the first time. A patient must continue the treatment for five days. If there is no improvement seen or healing has not occurred, treatment may be continued for ten days.
Missed dose of Acivir 5% Cream
If you miss the application, apply it, if you remember before the next scheduled application. If it is already time to apply the next dose, then skip the missed one and use the next dose on time.
What are the side effects of Acivir cream?
Acivir may cause dermatological issues like Stevens-johnson syndrome, hives, unusual sweating, rash, etc. Mild pain with or without transient stinging and burning may occur. Other unwanted side effects associated with the use of Acyclovir include drying of the skin, pruritus erythema, and mild flaking. However, these side effects have been reported in a small population of patients.
What is Acivir Cream used for?
Acivir Cream contains acyclovir 5% — a topical antiviral for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections of the skin and lips (cold sores / herpes labialis), and for initial epiSodiumes of herpes genitalis. It is applied directly to the cold sore lesion to reduce healing time and viral shedding. Topical acyclovir works best when applied at the earliest sign of a cold sore (tingling, itching, burning before the blister appears). It does not cure HSV infection — the virus remains latent — but it reduces the duration and severity of active outbreaks.
How does acyclovir 5% cream work on herpes cold sores?
Acyclovir is phosphorylated by the HSV-specific thymidine kinase enzyme to acyclovir monophosphate, then further by cellular kinases to acyclovir triphosphate — the active form. Acyclovir triphosphate inhibits HSV DNA polymerase and incorporates into the growing DNA chain, causing premature chain termination. Since activation requires HSV thymidine kinase (not present in uninfected cells), acyclovir is selectively toxic to HSV-infected cells. Topical application delivers high local drug concentrations at the site of infection while minimising systemic absorption.
How should Acivir Cream be applied for cold sores?
Apply Acivir Cream 5 times daily (approximately every 4 hours while awake) at the first sign of a cold sore (prodromal tingling or burning), continuing for 5 days. Apply a thin layer to cover the lesion and surrounding area; avoid getting cream in the eye. Wash hands before and after application. Use a clean cotton swab or fingertip (wash immediately after). Do not apply inside the mouth or to mucous membranes. Treatment is most effective when started at the first prodromal symptom — if started after the blister has fully formed, the therapeutic benefit is reduced.
Can Acivir Cream be used inside the mouth or on genital herpes?
Acivir topical cream is not recommended for use inside the mouth (oral cavity), inside the vagina, or on the cervix. For oral mucosal HSV (aphthous-like HSV lesions inside the mouth), oral acyclovir tablets are required. For herpes genitalis, topical acyclovir cream provides limited benefit — oral acyclovir 200–400mg five times daily for 5–10 days is significantly more effective for genital herpes outbreaks. Topical therapy can be used as an adjunct for external genital lesions but should not replace systemic therapy for genital herpes.
Is Acivir Cream safe during pregnancy for cold sores?
Topical acyclovir cream has minimal systemic absorption — plasma levels after topical application are negligible. It is considered safe for use during pregnancy for cold sores (herpes labialis). Oral acyclovir has more extensive human pregnancy safety data and is also considered safe. However, any medication use in pregnancy should be discussed with an obstetrician or GP. The risk of untreated cold sores during pregnancy is primarily cosmetic and discomfort — neonatal herpes from cold sores is rare but advise strict handwashing and avoiding touching the lesion.
What drug interactions apply to Acivir Cream?
Due to minimal systemic absorption from topical application, Acivir Cream has no clinically significant systemic drug interactions. The cream base components (polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol) may cause local skin reactions in sensitive individuals. No dose adjustments or interaction checks are required for topical acyclovir. However, if using other topical preparations (emollients, sunscreen, or other topical antivirals), apply Acivir Cream first and wait 10–15 minutes before applying other products to allow adequate absorption.
How does Acivir Cream compare to Zovirax Cream?
Acivir Cream 5% and Zovirax Cream 5% are both topical acyclovir 5% formulations — bioequivalent preparations of the same active ingredient. Zovirax is the original branded product; Acivir is the generic. Both provide the same antiviral activity against HSV at the site of application. The cream bases may differ slightly between brands, but therapeutic efficacy and safety are equivalent. Acivir provides the same cold sore treatment as Zovirax at significantly lower cost.
Is Acivir Cream the same as Zovirax Cream?
Yes. Acivir Cream and Zovirax Cream both contain acyclovir 5% as the active ingredient in topical formulation. Acivir is the generic alternative providing the same antiviral efficacy against herpes labialis as Zovirax at significantly lower cost — making topical HSV treatment accessible and affordable.
Can I order Acivir Cream from PremiumRxDrugs for delivery to the UK?
Yes. PremiumRxDrugs.com ships Acivir Cream to the UK, USA, Australia, and many other countries. Our genuine manufacturer-verified antiviral products, competitive pricing, and free worldwide shipping on qualifying orders make us a reliable source for topical cold sore treatment.
What side effects does Acivir Cream cause?
Topical acyclovir is very well tolerated. Common local reactions: mild burning or stinging at the application site (typically transient), and itching. Occasional: mild erythema (redness) or dryness. Rare: contact dermatitis (allergic reaction to cream base components — polyethylene glycol). Systemic side effects are not expected given negligible absorption. If the lesion worsens significantly, spreads rapidly, or does not improve after 5–7 days of treatment, seek medical assessment — immunocompromised patients may require oral or IV acyclovir.
Should I use Acivir Cream with or without a lip balm or petroleum jelly?
Acivir Cream should be applied directly to the cold sore lesion without covering immediately with emollients or balms — allow the cream to be absorbed for 10–15 minutes first. Moisturising lip balm or petroleum jelly can be applied afterward to reduce drying and discomfort from the lesion, but should not be mixed with or applied simultaneously as this may dilute the acyclovir concentration. Sun exposure can trigger herpes labialis outbreaks — SPF-containing lip balm applied over healed or treated lesions helps prevent UV-triggered recurrences.
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