Acifar Cream is a medicated cream to overcome herpes infections on the skin, lips, and genitals. This drug can speed up the healing of blisters and reduce herpes complaints. Acifar cream can only be obtained with a doctor’s prescription.
Acifar Cream contains 5% acyclovir. This medicine works by stopping the growth and spread of the herpes simplex virus in the symptomatic area. That way, complaints of pain, heat, or tingling in the wound can heal faster.
Acifar Cream can be used to overcome herpes labialis, herpes zoster, or as an initial treatment for genital herpes. Be aware that Acifar Cream cannot prevent herpes or protect you from herpes transmission.
What is Acifar Cream?
| Group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Antiviral drugs |
| Active ingredients | Acyclovir 5% |
| Benefits | Treating the symptoms of herpes simplex on the skin |
| Used by | Adults and children aged >12 years |
| Acyclovir in Acifar Cream for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Studies on experimental animals do not show any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies on pregnant women.The content of acyclovir in Acifar Cream can be absorbed into breast milk in small amounts. However, this medicine can be used in nursing mothers. |
| Drug form | Cream |
Warning Before Using Acifar Cream
Here are the things you need to pay attention to before using Acifar Cream:
- Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Acifar Cream should not be given to people who are allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir.
- Do not give this medicine to children aged <12 years.
- Consult a doctor if you want to use Acifar Cream for recurrent herpes.
- Tell your doctor if you are experiencing conditions that cause the body’s immune system to be weak, such as HIV/AIDS or chemotherapy.
- Inform your doctor about all medications you are currently using, including certain supplements or herbal products. The purpose is to anticipate unwanted drug interactions.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. Do not breastfeed if there are herpes simplex blisters around the breast.
- Immediately see a doctor if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects after using Acifar Cream.
Acifar Cream Dosage and Use Rules
Apply Acifar Cream on blisters, 5 times a day every 4 hours for 5–10 days.
How to Use Acifar Cream Correctly
Follow the doctor’s advice and read the instructions on the packaging of Acifar Cream before using this herpes medicine. Use Acifar Cream as soon as possible after herpes sores appear.
Always wash your hands with soap and running water before and after using Acifar Cream. Ideally, use cotton or disposable rubber gloves when applying medicine to herpes sores. This is so that the virus does not spread to other parts of the body or infect other people.
Before applying Acifar Cream, clean and dry the skin area that has herpes sores. Apply the cream evenly to cover the herpes sore area. So that the effect of the medicine does not disappear, do not shower or swim after applying Acifar Cream.
Avoid applying other ointments or skin care products, including cosmetics and sunscreen, on the skin area being treated with Acifar Cream unless allowed by a doctor.
Use Acifar Cream according to the time recommended by the doctor even if the herpes wound has healed. The goal is for the herpes simplex infection to be completely cured and not to recur.
The use of Acifar Cream does not reduce the risk of transmission of herpes simplex to others. Take care that the herpes sores do not come into contact with other people and avoid sexual intercourse while there are still herpes sores on the genitals.
Store Acifar Cream in a dry and cool place. Do not store it in a humid place or exposed to direct sunlight. Keep this herpes medicine out of the reach of children.
Interactions of Acifar with Certain Drugs
Medicines applied to the skin, such as Acifar Cream, rarely cause interaction effects when used with other medicines. Even so, the possibility of this drug interacting with certain drugs or active substances is not closed.
To be safe, avoid using other ointments or skin care products on the area being treated with Acifar Cream without first consulting a doctor.
Side Effects and Dangers of Acifar Cream
Given that Acifar Cream contains acyclovir, the side effects that can arise after applying this product to herpes sores are:
Consult a doctor if the complaint does not improve or gets worse. Immediately seek medical help if you experience a drug allergic reaction that can be characterized by hives, shortness of breath, or swelling of the lips or eyelids.
Reference
Chang, J., et al. (2023). A Narrative Review of Alternative Symptomatic Treatments for Herpes Simplex Virus. Viruses, 15(6), 1314.
Majewska, A., et al. (2022). 40 Years after the Registration of Acyclovir: Do We Need New Anti-Herpetic Drugs? Int J Mol Sci, 23(7), DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073431.
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National Institute of Health (2016). MedlinePlus. Acyclovir Topical.
Mayo Clinic (2023). Drugs & Supplements. Acyclovir (Topical Route).
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MIMS (2023). Acifar Cream.
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WebMD (2023). Acyclovir Cream - Uses, Side Effects, and More.