Acyclovir

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D.M. Garner - 25 Aug 2004 22:37 GMT

OK, so I felt the usual tingling on my lip indicative of an
oncoming cold-sore (fever blister for the Americans), but because
I was busy at work I couldn't rush out to the chemist to buy a tube
of Zovirax. So I found an old tube in my bag, perhaps about six months
old, and rubbed a bit of that on. NOrmally, I find that I can stop
cold sores in their tracks with Zovirax but it didn't work this
time and i have a nice yellow weeping cold sore. Great.

So, my question is this: how long does the acyclovir remain active
in the little tubes of zovirax, once the tube has been opened? I guess
that this tube was probably about six months old since opening, if not
a year.

Thanks,

David.

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Tim Fitzmaurice - 26 Aug 2004 08:01 GMT

> So, my question is this: how long does the acyclovir remain active
> in the little tubes of zovirax, once the tube has been opened? I guess
> that this tube was probably about six months old since opening, if not
> a year.

Hi David....

ACV is pretty stable, I've used powder thats been lying around for years
here at the vet school...but the cream is more a suspension/solution sort
of thing and the storage temperature is important - if you leave it lying
around in baking cars etc its not going to help but so far as Im aware it
doesnt react with air and go off in that way.

Assuming its in date and been stored OK then it should be reasonably
effective as far as the drug itself is concerned...

It could be the cold sore just broke through despite the drug and this one
just wasnt a cold sore amenable to being aborted the way you say you
normally see them act.

Tim
--
When playing rugby, its not the winning that counts, but the taking apart
ICQ: 5178568

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Angela S. - 26 Aug 2004 12:05 GMT

> OK, so I felt the usual tingling on my lip indicative of an
> oncoming cold-sore (fever blister for the Americans),

Cold Sores... Fever Blisters... it's all oral herpes to me.

> but because
> I was busy at work I couldn't rush out to the chemist to buy a tube
> of Zovirax. So I found an old tube in my bag, perhaps about six months
> old, and rubbed a bit of that on. NOrmally, I find that I can stop
> cold sores in their tracks with Zovirax but it didn't work this
> time and i have a nice yellow weeping cold sore. Great.

Well... creams and ointments are not always the best treatment. Sometimes
it's better to keep the area clean and dry and just take an oral antiviral
medication instead. (ie: Famvir, Acyclovir or Valtrex)

What is the expiration date on the tube?

Hang in there,

Angela

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