Zovirax Dosage

For adults and children over 88 pounds with chickenpox, the recommended Zovirax dosage is Zovirax 800 mg four times a day for five days. Dosing guidelines vary, depending on factors such as the person's age and the condition the drug is being used to treat. In order for your Zovirax dosage to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed by your healthcare provider.

 

Zovirax Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of Zovirax® (acyclovir) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age and weight
  • The medical condition being treated
  • Other medications you may be taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your Zovirax dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Zovirax Dosage for Shingles

The recommended starting dose of Zovirax for the treatment of shingles is Zovirax 800 mg five times a day (about every four hours) for 7 to 10 days.
 

Zovirax Dosage for Genital Herpes

The dose of Zovirax you are prescribed for genital herpes depends on whether it is your first infection, a subsequent infection, or you take Zovirax to prevent outbreaks.
 
First Infection
The recommended dose of Zovirax for treating the first infection of genital herpes is Zovirax 200 mg five times a day (about every four hours) for 10 days.
 
Later Outbreaks
For treatment of later outbreaks of genital herpes (after the first infection), the dose is Zovirax 200 mg five times a day (about every four hours) for five days, starting at the very first signs of an outbreak. The earlier it is started, the better it works.
(Zovirax Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;