Acyclovir (Zovirax) Cream
Treatment Guide
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Herpes Outbreak & Cold Sore Management - Episodic Treatment
This treatment plan contains information about your prescription and medication including, but not limited to, ingredient information, interactions, side effects, storage, and other important information you should know prior to starting the medication.
Compounding Information
This prescription contains a compounded medication, which was formulated and created to fit your needs.
Instructions
You have stated that you wish to use a topical medication in order to reduce the severity & duration of herpes outbreaks. The medication you have been prescribed is Acyclovir Cream, which you are to apply topically at the earliest signs of break out. Apply to the affected area up to 6 times daily.
While we respect your choice to use topical acyclovir cream, we want to be clear that oral acyclovir/valacyclovir have been shown in studies to have better efficacy in reducing the duration and severity of outbreaks especially for genital herpes.
Refills
If your symptoms aren't getting better after you start taking the medicine or if you develop new or worsening symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or pain, you should see a medical provider in-person and call or message us immediately.
Active Ingredients
This medicine contains the following active ingredients. If you are allergic to any of these components, similar components, or any of the others components listed in the manufacturer's pamphlet do not take it and call or message us immediately.
- Acyclovir
Allergies
This medicine may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to similar medicines or components. If you are allergic to any of the following please stop the medicine and call or message us or see your medical provider in-person:
- Acyclovir
- Antiviral medicines
- Valacyclovir
Conditions
We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us, however if anything changes and you develop or discover that one of these conditions applies to you please stop taking this medicine and call or message us immediately:
- HIV
- Immunocompromised
- Kidney problems
- Liver problems
- Seizure disorder
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
While Acyclovir is safe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding, if you become pregnant or are breastfeeding you should stop taking this medicine, call or message us immediately, and talk to a medical provider in-person.
Emergency Side Effects
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your medical provider or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash, hives, or itching
- Red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest or throat
- Trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking
- Unusual hoarseness
- Swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Very bad irritation where this drug is used
Other Side Effects
This medicine can also cause other side effects. If any of the other side effects listed in the manufacturer's pamphlet or those below happen to you please stop taking the medicine and call or message us or see your medical provider in-person.
- Skin irritation
- Burning
- Stinging
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Dry lips
- Headache
- Pain where it was placed
Medicines, Supplements, and Foods
We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us, however if anything changes and you start or discover that you are taking any of the medicines, foods, or supplements listed below call or message us before you take the medicine. Some of these can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing you and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on an appropriate treatment plan.
- Foscarnet
- TiZANidine
- Varicella
- Zoster Vaccine
Accurate Information
We have evaluated the specific health information you provided and are making our recommendations based on it. If you forgot to provide or incorrectly provided that information we may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment. If you need to clarify or update any information about your health you can message or call us anytime.
Treatment Failure
This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment. If the treatment is not working, or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, give us a call or message us anytime. If it is an emergency call 911 or seek immediate medical help in-person. You may need to seek alternative treatment such as those listed below or in the follow-up plan.
Misdiagnosis or Delayed Diagnosis
There is also a risk that we may incorrectly diagnose or fail to diagnose the correct conditions that you may have, thereby affecting our recommendation for treatment. This risk exists with in-person care as well, but they may have additional clinical history, physical exam findings and tests to aid their evaluation. We use evidence-based practice guidelines and clinical decision making to try to minimize these risks. Here are some other diagnoses that we attempt to rule out:
- Acne
- Other rash
- Perioral dermatitis
- Other Ulcerative STI like syphilis or chancroid
Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation
We are recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.. You should evaluate this information as well as the manufacturer's pamphlet, and any input from your in-person healthcare team, or other relevant information to decide if this treatment plan is appropriate for you. You are free to decline our treatment recommendations although, doing so may prolong symptoms and can be associated with other risks or negative outcomes.
Alternative Treatment
We have based our recommendation on your specific case and medical guidelines, but there may be alternative treatments or strategies that may be helpful to you. Some may be more or less effective than what we provide. Some treatments may require an in-person exam or procedure which we can't provide. Message us or talk to your medical provider in-person to discuss alternative treatments. Here are some other treatments or strategies that you might consider:
- Alternate antiviral medicines
- In-person lab testing
Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team
You can access your records anytime. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person primary care provider, pharmacist, and the rest of your healthcare team to let them know about any new medicines you are taking or other changes in your health.
You can also ask us questions anytime and we are happy to help you share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.