Zovirax
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5% cream
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Reviewed on February 20, 2025. by
Dr. Joseph Palumbo
Senior Medical Adviser
Registered with NPI (No. 1043478878)
Next review due on
February 20, 2028.
Dr. Joseph Palumbo

Last updated on Feb 20, 2025.

Product info

  • Zovirax is a cold sore treatment that is available as a cream.

  • It contains acyclovir, which helps clear sores and swelling from your skin.
  • The treatment you’re prescribed will depend on the severity of your symptoms.

Price checker
5% cream
$332.95
  • Prices include:
    Express shipping

    2-5 day shipping by secure courier

  • Consultation + Access to our clinicians

    Ask our experts anything you like, any time you want.

  • Total
    $332.95
    Save $0.00 each order
Zovirax Acyclovir

What is Zovirax?

Zovirax is used to help remove the visible symptoms of herpes, leaving you with clear skin that’s free from discomfort. It’s not a cure for herpes but helps clear up sores that show during an outbreak and speed up the healing process.

The cream is used to help treat cold sores (usually around the face or mouth), and can reduce the severity of an outbreak.

How does Zovirax work?

The main ingredient in Zovirax is acyclovir, a common antiviral used to treat both cold sores and genital herpes. Acyclovir acts by inhibiting viral DNA replication, which helps to clear the visible sores and swelling caused by the virus along with preventing future outbreaks. It can also decrease the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of your body. 

What doses of Zovirax are there?

Zovirax is only available as a 5% cream. It’s usually applied around five times a day until the symptoms clear. There used to be Zovirax 200mg tablets, but these are now discontinued. 

treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr. Joseph Palumbo
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on February 20, 2025. Next review due on February 20, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Zovirax Acyclovir

How to take Zovirax

Zovirax cream:

  • Apply the cream to the affected area five times per day.

How long does it take Zovirax to work?

The time it takes for Zovirax to work can vary, and it depends on how severe your herpes outbreak is. Treatment should be effective within five days of beginning your course. If your outbreak lasts longer than this despite using medication, you should send our clinician a message to get some advice. 

What should I do if I make a mistake when using Zovirax ?

If you make a mistake when you use Zovirax cream there are some things you can do:

  • if you forget to apply your Zovirax cream, apply it as normal (up to five times per day).
  • If you accidentally apply too much, simply wipe off the excess and wash your hands thoroughly. 
treated.com This page was written by The Treated Content Team.
Dr. Joseph Palumbo
This page was medically reviewed by Dr. Joseph Palumbo on February 20, 2025. Next review due on February 20, 2028.

How we source info.

When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.

Zovirax Acyclovir

Zovirax isn’t suitable for everyone, and there are some things that you need to be aware of when taking it.

Here’s all the official info on it. If anything is unclear, let our clinician know, and they can talk with you about it.

Zovirax Acyclovir

Zovirax: FAQ

Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

Is Zovirax similar to any other treatments?

Answer:
Zovirax is a very well-known brand name that uses acyclovir to treat herpes outbreaks. You can get unbranded acyclovir to treat herpes which works in the same way. But the packaging and the appearance of the medication itself may differ. 

Using a generic version is usually cheaper than Zovirax, but some people like to use a name brand because of personal preference. So it’s a matter of personal choice, really.

How effective is Zovirax?

Answer:
Zovirax and its main active ingredient, acyclovir, can reduce the amount of time the virus sheds for. This shedding is a factor in why herpes is contagious. [1] Zovirax can also help lesions to heal considerably faster. [2]

It’s not a ‘cure’ for herpes as such, but acyclovir can help to tackle its severity, and make it less likely that you’ll experience outbreaks of the condition in the future.

Which version of Zovirax should I use?

Answer:
There's only one version of Zovirax and it comes as a topical cream. The cream is used to treat skin symptoms of herpes topically, and is applied directly to the cold sore or lesion. So whether you have a cold sore or a herpes lesion on your genitals, Zovirax cream is probably best to treat the signs.

Zovirax tablets are now discontinued for unknown reasons. If the infection is severe and oral antivirals are needed, your doctor might prescribe oral Acyclovir or Valacyclovir. These help relieve symptoms, prevent future outbreaks, and stop the virus from spreading to other parts of the body.

How is Zovirax different to other treatments for herpes?

Answer:
Acyclovir (the active ingredient in Zovirax) is one of the most popular herpes treatments and alternatives to this work in a similar way. Unlike Zovirax, which is only available in cream form, Acyclovir comes as a topical cream and tablet, giving you some choice about how you use it.

Do I need a prescription for Zovirax?

Answer:
Yes. Zovirax is a prescription only treatment, so in the first instance, a clinician will need to make sure that it’s safe and suitable for you to use, having checked your health background.

Treated trusted source:

  1. Corey, L., et al. (1982). A Trial of Topical Acyclovir in Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Infections. New England Journal of Medicine, 306(22), pp.1313–1319.
  2. Kinghorn, G.R., et al. (1983). Efficacy of topical acyclovir cream in first and recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Antiviral Research, 3(5-6), pp.291–301.

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