What is better - "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax"? Indications, instructions for use

Which is better: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax"? This question interests many people who periodically have herpes. Usually, patients who are treated with the help of this medicine are assisted by physicians. However, it should be noted that most people acquire such funds themselves, that is, without the appointment of a doctor. Therefore, to understand what is best: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax", accounted for by own experience. In this article, we describe the characteristics of both drugs presented, and compare their effectiveness.

Basic information

Modern companies for the production of pharmaceuticals produce a huge number of drugs that help in a short time to get rid of herpes. Among them, such drugs as Acyclovir and Zovirax are very popular. The effect of these funds is due to their composition. To determine which of them is more effective and better, it is necessary to study how they affect the human body.

Form, composition of medicinal preparations

Which is better: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax"? The main criteria for the selection of these drugs are: efficiency, price, safety and manufactured form.

As active ingredient, the drugs under consideration contain acyclovir. This component copes well with viruses. Thus, both medicines have the same effect on the human body.

There are several forms of release of the drugs presented. They can be purchased in the form of a cream, ointment or tablets. In acute disease, these forms are best used in the complex.

Tablets "Acyclovir" and "Zovirax" contain 200 mg of active substance - acyclovir. It should be noted that the last drug can be purchased in the form of a powder intended for the preparation of an injection solution. Usually it is used for extensive herpetic eruptions, and also if the patient can not take the tablet form of the medicine. In this situation, "Zovirax" wins against "Acyclovir".

The main difference

Most often, for prophylactic purposes, patients use the oral form of the drug "Acyclovir" (tablets). Instructions, the price of this tool are listed below. To prevent the development of the disease, the patient will have just one pack of medication a month. As for a drug such as Zovirax, it is less popular. What is the reason for this? The fact is that Zovirax (tablets of round shape, white color) is much more expensive than Acyclovir. By the way, the price of these funds is, perhaps, the main and only difference between them.

This drug has a high cost because of its manufacturer. As you know, the drug "Zovirax" is manufactured by an English pharmaceutical company. As for Acyclovir, it is exclusively a Russian drug.

Drug analogues

What to choose: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax" from herpes? If you can not decide on the purchase of an antiviral drug, or simply do not find it in a pharmacy, you can replace it with analogs. They include the following means: Gerpevir, Valtrex, Geviran, Valavir, Medovor, Virolex. All these medicines are manufactured by different companies and have a different price. However, they are all intended for the treatment of herpes and other viral diseases.

Zovirax (tablets): instructions for use

What is Zovirax? As it was said above, this product is available in different forms.

3% ointment "Zovirax" is designed to treat viral diseases of the eyes. Its small layer is applied to the lower eyelid up to five times a day. After the disappearance of all symptoms, this medicine should be used for several more days.

Cream "Zovirax" (acyclovir is its main active substance) is applied a thin layer on the skin area with rashes. Use this tool should not more than 4 days. Though sometimes the doctor nevertheless makes a decision about prolongation of therapy for some more days. If, in this case, no improvement is observed, then the doctor should be informed about this.

The oral form of Zovirax (pills) is prescribed to adults up to five times a day, for several days. Such a medication is used to treat viral diseases, and therefore the duration of therapy and dosage of the drug are determined individually. In some cases, this drug is prescribed for children.

Pricks with the application of the solution "Zovirax" put the patient for 5 days. As a rule, this form of the drug is used only in a hospital under the constant supervision of doctors.

One can not help saying that the given drug is approved for use even in newborn babies. Depending on the course of the disease and the development of the child is selected and a special dosage of the drug.

"Acyclovir" (tablets): instructions

The price of this medication is not very high. As a rule, it is 40-50 rubles for 10 tablets.

The Russian manufacturer of this drug offers several forms of release: tablets, 5% ointment or cream, and 3% ophthalmic ointment.

The drug "Acyclovir" (ointment from herpes) can not be used to treat children under 3 years of age. But this drug is widely used in the adult population.

Tablets "Acyclovir" is prescribed in an amount of 200 mg every 4 hours. In severe cases, a single dose can be doubled. At the same time, the earlier the therapy is performed, the faster the patient will recover.

An ointment with the same name is applied to the area where there are herpetic eruptions. It is used in small amounts up to 5 times a day. The course of therapy with this drug should not exceed 10 days.

In young children, this medicine can be used only in extreme cases. With small rashes, it is advisable to treat only ointment, which should be applied strictly to the affected area. Only in this case the risk of side effects will be minimal.

Treatment of children with tablets "Acyclovir" is desirable to be carried out no longer than 5 consecutive days. Otherwise, the body will get used to the medicine, and if the disease recurs, the medication may not give the desired result.

Application of the medicine

For what purpose do patients prescribe such drugs as "Acyclovir" and "Zovirax" (tablets)? Instructions for use asserts that the active substance is able to prevent the appearance of herpetic vesicles, reduce the risk of complications, accelerate the formation of crusts and not leave scars. Also, the component under consideration effectively manifests itself in the treatment of herpes zoster. In addition to eliminating the disease itself, it relieves discomfort and increases the body's defenses.

And tablets "Acyclovir", and tablets "Zoviraks" can be prescribed to children suffering from chickenpox. The use of such drugs is necessary, first of all, to prevent complications. They prevent the reproduction of the virus, as well as its spread to other organs. In addition, such drugs reduce or completely eliminate pain and inflammation, significantly reduce the amount of rashes on the skin.

Careful appointment

With special care, the agents should be administered with:

• The state of dehydration;
• Kidney diseases;
• Diseases of the nervous system.

Also, these medicines can not be used if there is an allergy to any of their components. If the dosage of the medication is disturbed or the treatment period is extended, the following side effects can be observed in patients:

• Nausea, anemia;
• Vomiting, rash, jaundice;
• Drowsiness, diarrhea, dizziness;
• Urticaria, increased fatigue, itching.

Use during pregnancy

It is not a secret for anybody that the immunity of a pregnant woman is very weak, so he is not able to withstand catarrhal diseases. It is in this period in the fair sex often causes herpes. The use of "Acyclovir" and "Zovirax" in this case is allowed only if the ratio of the risk of health benefits to the woman and harm to the baby.

Most often these drugs are not recommended to drink during the gestation of the fetus. This is due to the fact that there is a high risk of the following undesirable consequences:

• stomach ache;
• Allergic manifestations;
• sleep disturbance;
• Disruption of the digestive system;
• Dizziness and headache;
• The appearance of dyspnea.

If the use of such a drug can not be avoided, it is better to give your preference to "Zoviraks". This is due to the fact that it has less negative impact on the woman's body, and consequently, on the development of the child.

Medication choice

Which is better: "Acyclovir" or "Zovirax"? Experts say that it is better to choose the original, that is, Zovirax, from the two mentioned drugs. This is due to the fact that in the process of its production several stages of cleaning its components were carried out. Thus, it can be safely noted that the drug "Zovirax" is more effective and less safe. This remedy does not contain any harmful impurities that can cause undesirable side effects. If the price of this drug seems too high for you, you can replace it with Acyclovir. Although such a replacement is not always appropriate and effective. In any case, with the development of herpes rash, as well as with a burning sensation, tingling and itching, it is necessary to use acyclovir-based drugs. Thanks to this substance, you can cure herpes in a short time. In addition, if you drink tablets for preventive purposes, then the relapse of the disease will be much less.

Another reason why many specialists recommend using Zovirax is that this remedy is better kept on the affected area, so that the patient's recovery comes faster. Also, the positive aspects of this drug include the fact that it is approved for use in newborns and pregnant women (only after consulting a doctor).