Zovirax (aciclovir) is used for the management of initial episodes of genital herpes infections. It is an antiviral medication that helps to reduce the pain and severity of herpes lesions or sores.

In 5 controlled trials, 1,124 patients were treated with Zovirax Cream. Zovirax Cream was well tolerated; 5% of patients on Zovirax Cream reported local application site reactions. The most common adverse reactions at the site of topical application were dry lips, desquamation, dryness of skin, cracked lips, burning skin, pruritus, flakiness of skin, and stinging on skin; each event occurred in less than 1% of patients receiving Zovirax Cream. The safety profile in patients 12 to 17 years of age was similar to that observed in adults.

Some recurrent or long-term side effects for Zovirax are:
• swelling or pain at application site
• itching at application site
• redness at application site