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Acyclovir (Zovirax) Ointment
- Treating an initial genital herpes infection (but not subsequent outbreaks) in people with normal immune systems
- Treating non-life-threatening genital herpes or cold sores in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or AIDS.
In people with healthy immune systems, those who used acyclovir ointment in clinical trials to treat their first genital herpes infection had lesions that healed more quickly, compared to people who did not use it. For some people, the medication also helped the pain to go away more quickly and decreased the time that they were contagious.
In people with weakened immune systems who used acyclovir ointment to treat genital herpes and cold sores, the medication decreased the time that the lesions were contagious and helped the pain to go away more quickly.
(Click Acyclovir Ointment to learn more about this antiviral drug, including how it works, possible side effects, generic availability, and more.)
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD