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Zovirax Drug Interactions
Zovirax drug interactions can occur when the medication is taken with Dilantin, Benemid, or a number of other medicines. These interactions may affect the drug levels in your blood or increase your risk of side effects. If Zovirax drug interactions are a concern, your healthcare provider may perform a simple blood test to check medication levels and adjust your dosages, if necessary.
Zovirax® (acyclovir) can potentially interact with other medications. Some of the medicines that may lead to Zovirax drug interactions include:
- Phenytoin (Dilantin®, Phenytek®) or fosphenytoin (Cerebyx®)
- Probenecid (Benuryl®, Benemid®, ColBenemid®)
- Tenofovir (Viread®).
The following sections explain in detail the potentially negative interactions that can occur when Zovirax is combined with any of the drugs listed above.
Phenytoin or Fosphenytoin
There have been reports that Zovirax may decrease the level of phenytoin in your blood, perhaps making it less effective. Your healthcare provider may need to measure the level of phenytoin in your blood (using a simple blood test) and adjust your dose as necessary to prevent this interaction from occurring.
Probenecid
Probenecid can increase the level of Zovirax in your blood, possibly increasing your risk of side effects of Zovirex. Your healthcare provider may need to decrease your Zovirax dosage to prevent drug interactions from occurring.
Tenofovir
Zovirax can increase the level of tenofovir in your blood, potentially increasing your risk of side effects. Your healthcare provider may need to lower your tenofovir dosage to prevent interactions from occurring.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD