What is the difference between zovirax cream and ointment

Two experiments with n-docosanol cream failed to show statistically significant differences by any parameter between n-docasonol cream and vehicle control-treated sites or between n-docosanol and untreated infection sites. Conclusions: In this model, the efficacy of penciclovir cream was greater than acyclovir cream, acyclovir cream was greater than or equal to acyclovir ointment, and acyclovir ointment was greater than n-docosanol cream.

Since our model was designed to evaluate compounds that function primarily through antiviral activity, the negative findings with n-docosanol in these studies do not exclude that it might work clinically through other mechanisms. The treatments were only applied once a day because acyclovir and penciclovir cream were irritating to guinea pig skin. The asterisk designates when the difference between penciclovir cream and acyclovir cream was statistically significant.

There were 12 infection sites per treatment group. Day 0 was the day of infection. The treatments were applied 3 times per day for 3 to 5 days beginning on day 1. Efficacy measurements were done on the morning of days 4, 5, and 6. Assessments of lesion virus titers were only performed on day 6. The asterisk designates when the difference between the test drug and its vehicle control was statistically significant.

Arch Dermatol. Background There are 3 new topical treatments for herpes labialis that have either been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration penciclovir cream [Denavir] and n-docosanol cream [Abreva] or recently undergone extensive clinical evaluation acyclovir cream.

The relative efficacy of these products is unknown. Objective To compare the efficacy of penciclovir cream, acyclovir cream, n-docosanol cream, and acyclovir ointment in an experimental animal model of cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV-1 disease. Design The backs of guinea pigs were infected with HSV-1 using a vaccination instrument. Active treatments and corresponding vehicle controls were applied for 3 to 5 days beginning 24 hours after inoculation.

Main Outcome Measures After completion of treatment, the animals were killed and the severity of the infection assessed from the number of lesions, the total lesion area, and the lesion virus titer. Two experiments with n-docosanol cream failed to show statistically significant differences by any parameter between n-docasonol cream and vehicle control—treated sites or between n-docosanol and untreated infection sites.

Conclusions In this model, the efficacy of penciclovir cream was greater than acyclovir cream, acyclovir cream was greater than or equal to acyclovir ointment, and acyclovir ointment was greater than n-docosanol cream. Since our model was designed to evaluate compounds that function primarily through antiviral activity, the negative findings with n-docosanol in these studies do not exclude that it might work clinically through other mechanisms.

In the United States, acyclovir ointment Zovirax Ointment is approved for use in immunocompromised patients and penciclovir cream Denavir for use in otherwise healthy adults.

There is experimental evidence that high-dose peroral nucleoside analogue therapy may be highly effective, possibly because of delivery of high concentrations of drug to the site of the infection.

Because of the large number of patients and the expense required to conduct a therapeutic trial in herpes labialis, it is unlikely that the relative clinical efficacy of these various treatments will ever be determined. The dorsal cutaneous guinea pig model is a well-standardized animal model of cutaneous herpes disease and permits an experimental approach to this question.

Drug efficacy in the model correlates with antiviral activity and skin penetration. The present report describes 2 sets of experiments in the guinea pig model. In the first experiment, we compared penciclovir cream, acyclovir cream, and acyclovir ointment with vehicle controls. In the second group of experiments, we examined the efficacy of a new over-the-counter agent, n-docosanol cream Abreva. The results are correlated with the efficacy of other treatments in the model and the outcome of clinical trials.

Hartley strain, outbred, female, albino guinea pigs, weighing approximately g each, were obtained from Charles River Breeding Laboratories Inc, Wilmington, Mass.

During treatment, animals were housed in individual cages. Before inoculation and again immediately before experimental virus lesion assessment, the hair was removed from the animal dorsum with a chemical depilatory. Test compounds were evaluated for irritation on the depilated, uninfected dorsum of guinea pigs.

Test compounds and their vehicles were each applied at 3 different sites once per day, 2 times per day, and 4 times per day for 3 days and evaluated for irritation on the morning of the fourth day using an irritation score of 0 to 4. A score of 4 indicated severe erythema with punctate bleeding. A mean score of 2. Guinea pigs were inoculated with HSV-1 E day 0 in 4 different areas on the depilated dorsum, right and left midback, and right and left rump by multiple shallow punctures with a vaccination instrument as originally performed by Hubler et al.

Test treatments were begun 24 hours after inoculation day 1 and given 1 to 4 times per day at 8 AM, noon, 4 PM, and 8 PM, depending on dermal irritation, for a total of 3 days. The day after completion of treatment day 4 , the dorsum of each animal was again depilated, and the severity of infection at each site was assessed from the number of lesions, the total lesion area, and titer of virus in the excised infection site.

The procedures have been described in detail elsewhere. Paired data drug and drug vehicle were evaluated by the Wilcoxon signed rank test. To compare 2 drugs with one another, efficacies were expressed as the percent difference in a lesion severity measure lesion number, area, or virus titer between the active formulation and its control and tested by a Mann-Whitney rank sum procedure. Penciclovir and acyclovir creams were examined for efficacy in relationship to their corresponding vehicles, which were applied at contralateral infection sites.

Acyclovir ointment and the ointment vehicle were studied concurrently as a control. The different drug formulations were compared with one another using the percentage of improvement in lesion severity measures from the drug vs drug vehicle assessments. Each treatment was evaluated at 12 different infection sites on the guinea pig dorsum as described in the "Materials and Methods" section.

Treatments were only applied once a day because both cream formulations were irritating to guinea pig skin. The results are shown in Table 1. Penciclovir cream had the greatest effect. To further examine the potential differences between penciclovir and acyclovir cream, the 2 treatments were compared directly with one another in 2 additional experiments.

Treatments were only applied once a day because both formulations were irritating to guinea pig skin. The results are shown in Figure 1. In both experiments, penciclovir cream—treated sites had fewer mean numbers of lesions than at acyclovir cream—treated sites vs , respectively and a smaller mean lesion area vs mm 2 , respectively.

Do not apply extra cream or ointment to make up for a missed dose. Topical acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. Keep this medication in the container it came in, with the cap on and tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom.

Never leave this medication in your car in cold or hot weather. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.

If someone swallows topical acyclovir, call your local poison control center at If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at Do not let anyone else use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.

Acyclovir Topical pronounced as ay sye' kloe veer. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products Other names.