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Zovirax User Reviews & Ratings

Zovirax has an average rating of 8.2 out of 10 from a total of 17 reviews on Drugs.com. 82% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 12% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Zovirax

  • Anonymous
  • January 25, 2009

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "400mgs twice a day will stop an outbreak. The itching will usually stop within 12 hours after the first dose. I have not had to take it for more than two days. I have not experienced side effects from this medication."

10 / 10
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58 Report
  • Nonam...
  • August 8, 2008

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "If you take just one pill when you begin to feel a tingle, you won't actually get a cold sore/fever blister. It's seriously amazing! I wish I had known about this sooner. I will get a cold sore if I travel a lot or if I have any minor trauma on or around my nose/mouth. One pill when I feel it coming on stops them from forming, but you have to catch it before the blister develops. Keep taking the pill until the tingling goes away. I've never had to take more than 1 pill per occurance."

10 / 10
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57 Report
  • Beloved...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 9, 2018

For Cold Sores "Took one ten day course of this anti-viral over seven years ago and have never had even a hint of another fever blister symptom ever since. I felt better after first week, and remarkably stronger after completing the 10 day prescription . Next best thing to a cure."

9 / 10
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21 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • jlsAL
  • July 25, 2008

For Herpes Simplex "I have been taking zovirax for over 12 years, 400 mg each night at bedtime. I have only had a few outbreaks, caused by kissing my husband who had outbreaks. On doctor's orders, I am to increase to 800 mg each night at bedtime when I do have an outbreak, or when I'm not feeling well. Other virus' can set off a cold sore attack."

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • wayney
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 19, 2012

For Herpes Zoster "I've had shingles a total of 6 times because I am immuno-compromised. Each time it was the same area of my back and wrapping around my side to my stomach. I do not recall the first few outbreaks as it was during a time I was so ill that I am basically missing a few months of my life because I was not alert at all during that time. I do recall the last 4 outbreaks. One of the doctors and I have a theory about why I did not notice the burning, itching etc that tends to be very painful and annoying for most people. The meds I am already on. I take pain meds around the clock already as well as taking gabapentin which helps nerve pain. Now on 200mg/day to prevent recurrence. I don't seem to have any issues with medication taken daily."

9 / 10
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29 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Krreno
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 16, 2016

For Herpes Simplex "I had a sudden onset of cold sores and a new one was appearing each day. I am on immunosuppressants so my body just can't fight this virus on its own. After 5 days I went to my doctor. This medication was amazing- within 24-48 hrs the blisters were crusting over. The swelling and redness was decreasing as well. I am on 400 mg 3 x daily for 10 days. I am currently on day 6. For the first few days I would feel lightheaded (not dizzy) for a few hours after each dose, but that has gone away now. No nausea when taken with food. I did have a few mild headaches, but that was because I was not drinking enough fluid. As soon as I hydrated, headaches were gone. My doctor gave me 2 refills so next time I feel the onset I can start treatment right aw"

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • December 11, 2011

For Herpes Simplex "Zovirax is my first choice for treatment of cold sores which I've had since I was a young girl. Using it in conjunction with Abreva helps promote healing from within the sores; and eliminates the crusty/scabbing that comes with cold sores. Abreva is best used at the first sign of any itching (that familiar feeling of onset) apply as directed on the bottle, and your cold sore will be gone without anyone noticing you even have one. I am just getting over one and with Abreva alone it took three days, no scabbing or crusty formation making it unsightly and causing embarrassment."

8 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • November 4, 2011

For Herpes Simplex "I used to have cold sores all the time when I was a child, either when exposed to too much cold or when exposed to too much heat. Finally, I found a doctor who gave me a prescription (just a few years ago, I'm already an adult) and the Doctor prescribed Zovirax 200 mg 5x a day for 5 days. When I am able to take the medicine as soon as I feel the blister forming, the blister will only last for a day; it will grow and then burst and crust over within twenty four hours, so I've never really had to take the medication for more than 2-3 days. Very thankful for this medicine."

10 / 10
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26 Report
  • doctorW
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • April 14, 2019

For Cold Sores "I get coldsores mainly in the summer, my symptoms start of with dry and itchy lips, and then they start to blister and swell, I recommend if you have the same symptoms as me then put the Zovirax on as SOON AS POSSIBLE! The cold sore feels much better as soon as it’s on, the healing begins straight away, the blister on the mouth begins to dry out so it may feel uncomfortable, because of this I also use Carmex Lip Balm to keep my lips moisturised. I use Zovirax every time I get a cold sore and they heal much faster, for me it’s max 4 days. Amazing product and definietely worth the money!"

10 / 10
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13 Report
  • TDano
  • July 17, 2009

For Herpes Simplex "Been on Zovirax for 15 years. It barely worked when I started using it for genital outbreaks, absolutely does not work now. Three prescriptions of 800mg x 3 times per day has not slowed down or even put a dent in a 4 month long outbreak."

1 / 10
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26 Report
  • larry...
  • August 14, 2010

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "I have had a cold sore outbreak 1-2 x/year for last 15 years usually during summer months (lower lip). I had previously tried medicated lip applicators with little success. A friend suggested Zovirax. I use it now at the first sign of tingling or hardness in the lip. When I catch it early the severity of the outbreak has been greatly diminished. I only use for 2 days and the sore has usually healed in about 10 days to 2 weeks."

10 / 10
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20 Report
  • Plague...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • July 5, 2022

For Cold Sores "I went down with the mother of all (weeping, rapidly expanding) cold sore infections in my twenties and it took weeks for a doctor to identify what it was. Zovirax tablets sorted it right out. My experience was so horrific that I kept the stuff to had for years afterwards, and if ever anything cold sore like appeared I nailed it real quick with a short course of 400Mg tablets. I think it happened twice then my body "learned from the experience" because I've not had a recurrence in 30 years nor (yet) got shingles... Good stuff!"

10 / 10
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1 Report
  • dissa...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • March 12, 2022

For Cold Sores "I was disappointed the price you pay and the amount you get it did not last two days so I wont know just how good its meant to be because I could not do the recommended four days treatment. Therefore my hunt continues for a cold sore cream that will last and not disappoint as zovirax did"

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • June 5, 2008

For Herpes Simplex, Suppression "Been taking for 3-4 years with no side effects whatsoever."

10 / 10
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69 Report
  • Anonymous
  • January 6, 2011

For Herpes Simplex "I had my first outbreak over a year ago, been taking 400mg a day and haven't had an outbreak since."

10 / 10
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37 Report
  • fgrtyyh
  • March 11, 2009

For Herpes Zoster "I've used a limited dose every other day for 9 years with no outbreaks."

9 / 10
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28 Report
  • Anonymous
  • February 21, 2009

For Herpes Simplex "I been taking this medication for about a week and can still feel some pain but other then that it's works really well. I been taking 400 mg three times a day."

5 / 10
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19 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.