Zovirax Duo-Active
Zovirax Duo-Active: instructions for use and reviews
- 1. Release form and composition
- 2. Pharmacological properties
- 3. Indications for use
- 4. Contraindications
- 5. Method of application and dosage
- 6. Side effects
- 7. Overdose
- 8. Special instructions
- 9. Application during pregnancy and lactation
- 10. Use in childhood
- 11. Drug interactions
- 12. Analogs
- 13. Terms and conditions of storage
- 14. Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
- 15. Reviews
- 16. Price in pharmacies
Latin name: Zovirax Duo-Activ
ATX code: D06BB; D06BB53
Active ingredient: acyclovir + hydrocortisone (Acyclovir + Hydrocortisone)
Producer: Glaxo Wellcome Operations (Great Britain)
Description and photo update: 2019-11-07
Prices in pharmacies: from 285 rubles.
Buy
Zovirax Duo-Active is a combined external antiviral drug.
Release form and composition
The drug is produced in the form of a cream for external use, which is a white or white homogeneous mass with a yellowish tinge (2 g or 5 g each in aluminum tubes with a screw-on plastic cap, one tube in a cardboard box and instructions for the use of Zovirax Duo-Active).
Composition for 1 g of cream:
- active ingredients: hydrocortisone - 10 mg, acyclovir - 50 mg;
- auxiliary components: soft white paraffin, sodium lauryl sulfate, poloxamer 188, citric acid monohydrate, liquid paraffin, isopropyl myristate, propylene glycol, cetostearyl alcohol, hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide (until the desired pH is reached), purified water.
Pharmacological properties
Pharmacodynamics
Zovirax Duo-Active cream contains two active ingredients - hydrocortisone and acyclovir.
Hydrocortisone is a weakly active glucocorticosteroid; when applied topically and externally, its therapeutic activity is due to its antipruritic, antiexudative, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties. The combination of the antiviral action of acyclovir and the anti-inflammatory effect of hydrocortisone prevents the appearance of elements of vesicular rash during the prodromal period of the disease. In addition, the drug can shorten the healing time of already formed rashes. The mechanism of action of hydrocortisone is associated with blocking the replication of the virus, as well as inhibition of the development of inflammatory reactions in the affected areas of the skin, which ultimately reduces the severity of symptoms of infection.
Acyclovir is an antiviral agent that is active against cytomegalovirus, Varicella zoster (varicella-zoster virus), Herpes simplex types 1 and 2 (types 1 and 2 herpes viruses) and Epstein-Barr virus (human herpesvirus type 4). Thymidine kinase, which is present in cells infected with the virus, through a series of sequential reactions converts acyclovir to monophosphate, diphosphate and acyclovir triphosphate. Acyclovir triphosphate interacts with the DNA polymerase of viruses and is incorporated into the DNA synthesized for new viruses. As a result, the so-called defective viral DNA is formed and the replication of new generations of viruses becomes impossible.
Pharmacokinetics
With local application of Zovirax Duo-Active, the absorption of acyclovir into the systemic circulation is insignificant.
Hydrocortisone is able to penetrate the stratum corneum of the epidermis and reach its lower layers, its absorption is also minimal. When using Zovirax Duo-Active in the recommended doses, hydrocortisone does not exhibit systemic effects and does not suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal system.
Indications for use
Zovirax Duo-Active is used in children and adolescents over 12 years of age, as well as adults for the treatment of recurrent infection of the skin of the lips caused by the Herpes simplex virus.
Contraindications
- fungal, parasitic and bacterial skin infections;
- skin lesions due to infection with other viruses;
- acne vulgaris;
- skin tumors;
- perioral dermatitis;
- rosacea;
- children under 12 years of age;
- hypersensitivity to the main or auxiliary components of the cream, as well as valacyclovir.
Zovirax Duo-Active, instructions for use: method and dosage
Zovirax Duo-Active cream is intended exclusively for external use.
The drug is recommended to be applied every 4 hours during the daytime (5 times during the day) on the affected and adjacent healthy skin areas with a thin layer.
Therapy for recurrent infection should be started as early as possible, preferably already in the prodromal period of the disease, that is, when the first nonspecific symptoms of infection appear (tingling, burning and tightness of the skin).
The course of treatment should be at least 5 days, but Zovirax Duo-Active should not be used for a longer time. If symptoms of infection persist after 5 days of therapy, see your doctor.
To prevent the transmission of infection to other people and the deterioration of the patient's condition, it is necessary to thoroughly wash your hands before and after applying the cream, do not touch the infected skin areas and do not rub them with a towel.
Side effects
Possible side effects of Zovirax Duo-Active are local in nature and occur on the areas where the cream is applied:
- skin and subcutaneous fat: often - peeling and dry skin; infrequently - itching, tingling and short-term burning sensation at the sites of application of the drug; rarely - allergic dermatitis (usually associated with a reaction to auxiliary components or hydrocortisone), changes in pigmentation and redness of the skin;
- allergic reactions: very rarely - Quincke's edema and other immediate hypersensitivity reactions;
- local effects: rarely - swelling, pain, local fever and redness of the skin (symptoms of inflammation).
Overdose
As a result of a single use or accidental swallowing of the contents of the entire tube, no adverse reactions occurred.
If an overdose is suspected, medical attention should be sought.
special instructions
To prevent the appearance of watery blisters on the skin and achieve the maximum therapeutic effect, taking Zovirax Duo-Active should be started at the first signs of the disease.
If the herpes infection of the skin of the lips is significantly pronounced, it is necessary to seek the advice of a doctor.
Zovirax Duo-Active can only be used to treat herpes of the skin of the lips.
The cream is not recommended to be applied to the area around the eyes and the oral mucosa, as well as to use for genital herpes. Care must be taken not to get the cream in the eyes.
Do not stick plasters on the site of application of the drug, including special masking antiherpetic plasters, and apply sealed dressings.
Treatment of any infectious disease in immunocompromised patients should be carried out on the advice of a physician. This category of patients has a high risk of developing resistance to acyclovir, so they should not be prescribed Zovirax Duo-Active.
Auxiliary components of the drug can cause local reactions: cetyl alcohol - contact dermatitis, and propylene glycol - skin irritation.
Influence on the ability to drive vehicles and complex mechanisms
The cream does not affect the psychomotor functions of a person and does not interfere with the patient's ability to drive vehicles and work with other potentially dangerous and complex mechanisms.
Application during pregnancy and lactation
Zovirax Duo-Active is not recommended for use during pregnancy and lactation, unless the cream is prescribed by a doctor (if the expected benefit to the mother is higher than the possible risk to the child or fetus).
Pediatric use
Zovirax Duo-Active should not be used in pediatric patients under the age of 12 years.
Drug interactions
No interaction with other drugs and substances with external application of the cream was found.
Analogs
Analogs of Zovirax Duo-Active are Acyclovir, Acyclovir-Akrikhin, Acyclovir Belupo, Zovirax, Panavir, Gerpferon, Fenistil Pencivir, Devirs, etc.
Terms and conditions of storage
Store at a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C, out of the reach of children. Do not freeze or refrigerate.
The shelf life is 2 years.
An opened tube can be stored for no more than 3 months.
Terms of dispensing from pharmacies
Available without a prescription.
Reviews about Zovirax Duo-Active
Reviews about Zovirax Duo-Active are pretty good. The drug is effective and copes with the main task - the treatment of herpes on the lips. The cream is well absorbed and helps from the first application, and the result is quite long-lasting. Adverse reactions are very rare.
Of the shortcomings, patients note the high cost of the cream for a relatively small volume. Some users complained about the lack of effect of the treatment, as well as the appearance of unwanted side effects (redness and tightening of the skin).
Price for Zovirax Duo-Active in pharmacies
The price of Zovirax Duo-Active in the form of a cream for external use 5% + 1% (2 g each in aluminum tubes) is 260–340 rubles.
Zovirax Duo-Active: prices in online pharmacies
Drug name Price Pharmacy |
Zovirax Duo-Active 5% + 1% cream for external use 2 g 1 pc. 285 r Buy |
Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
Information about the drug is generalized, provided for informational purposes only and does not replace the official instructions. Self-medication is hazardous to health!