Adco – Acyclovir Topical Cream

ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM contains the active ingredient acyclovir. This belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM is indicated for the treatment of skin and genital infections caused by the Herpes simplex virus. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses that cause skin and genital herpes.

• if you are hypersensitive (allergic) to acyclovir or any of the other ingredients of ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM (listed in section 6).

Warnings and Precautions

Take special care with ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM

• Serious skin reactions such as Drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS) have been reported in patients receiving ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM. Combination of symptoms such as fever, severe rash, peeling skin, swelling of the face, swollen lymph glands, flu-like feeling, yellow skin or eyes, shortness of breath, dry cough, chest pain or discomfort, feel thirsty, urinating less often, less urine can be seen. If you experience any signs of serious skin reactions such as swelling, itching, red severe rash, stop using ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM immediately and contact your doctor (see section 4).

• do not use the cream if it causes burning, redness of skin.

• do not use on mucous membranes as the cream can cause irritation.

• do not use this cream to treat mouth ulcers, eye or the vagina.

• If your immune system is weakened for any reason e.g. HIV infection, a bone marrow transplant or cancer treatment, do not treat yourself with ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM; you must seek advice from your doctor.

Other medicines and ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM

Always tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicine (This includes all complementary or traditional medicines).

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, think you may be pregnant or are planning to have a baby, please consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider for advice before taking this medicine.

FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY. Do not share medicines prescribed for you with any other person. Always use ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist or nurse has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Do not exceed the stated dose. It is best to apply the product as soon as possible after the start of the infection.

For application to the surface of the skin only:

1. Wash your hands thoroughly before use.
2. Apply a thin layer of the cream to the infected area and the skin immediately next to it, 5 or 6 times a day at intervals of about 3 or 4 hours.
3. Wash your hands again, to avoid spreading the infection.
4. Use the cream for 5 to 10 days.

If you use more ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM than you should or if you or a child accidentally swallow the cream. In the event of overdosage, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison centre. Take the packet with you to help identification.

If you forget to use ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM If you miss a treatment, apply the cream as soon as you remember, and apply the remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals.

ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM can cause side effects. Not all side effects reported for ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM, please consult your health care provider for advice.

If any of the following happens, stop using ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM and tell your doctor immediately or go to the casualty department at your nearest hospital:

• rash, itching or hives on your skin
• swelling of your face, lips, tongue or other parts of your body
• shortness of breath, wheezing or having trouble breathing
• unexplained fever and feeling faint, especially when standing up.

The adverse reaction of the skin may appear as rashes with or without blisters. Skin irritation, oedema (DRESS) and fever and flu-like symptoms may occur. These are all very serious side effects. If you have them, you may have had a serious reaction to ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following:

Less frequent side effects:

• A burning or stinging feeling after applying the cream that goes away.
• Itching.
• Mild drying or flaking of your skin.
• Redness of your skin.
• Skin rash.

If you notice any side effects not mentioned in this leaflet, please inform your doctor or pharmacist.

Reporting of side effects

If you get side effects, talk to your doctor or, pharmacist or nurse. You can also report side effects to SAHPRA via the Med Safety APP (Medsafety X SAHPRA) and eReporting platform (who-umc.org) found on SAHPRA website. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM.

• Store all medicines out of reach of children.

• Store at or below 25 °C.

• Protect from light.

• Do not refrigerate.

• Store in the original package and keep the tube in the outer carton.

• Do not use ADCO - ACYCLOVIR TOPICAL CREAM after the expiry date which is stated on the tube/carton.

• Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.

• Do not dispose of unused medicine in drains or sewerage systems (e.g., toilets).