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Can Zovirax Be Taken For Chicken Pox?

Posted on Sat, 11 Jun 2016

Question: i am diagnosed with chicken pox and my dermatologist wanted me to check with pediatric if we need to give Syrup Zovirax as precautionary medicine to my daughter. My daughter is 3 year old and was given Varivax between 12-18 month of age.

Please advice if we need to give my daughter this syrup and if yes then the dosage and duration also

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
By giving Zovirax complications can be reduced

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for asking on this platform

I have gone through the details and do understand your concern.
Chicken pox is a viral infection and Zovirax contains Acyclovir an antiviral.
Treatment with Acyclovir decreases the duration of fever, number of lesions, itchiness and other complications.
Varivax vaccination is given to children for prevention of infection from varicella zoster (chicken pox). Although the efficacy of varivax is very high after first dose but its not 100 %. Also after immunisation against varicella if chicken pox occurs the severity remains less. So in nut shell there are chances of chicken pox even after immunisation.
The zovirax syrup should be started as early as possible (not more than 72 hours) after appearance of rashes for its better effect.
The dose of Acyclovir in this age is 20 mg/kg/dose 4 times a day for 5 days.
5 ml of Zovirax syrup contains 200 mg of acyclovir.
I did not find the weight mentioned in your history. Assuming a 3 years old baby's weight as 14-15 kg the dose would be 5 ml(200 mg) 4 times a day for 5 days.
The common side effects are gastrointestinal disturbances like nausea,vomiting etc.

So I would suggest to give her Zovirax syrup as advised if duration of appearance of rashes is not more than 72 hours. Consult your pediatrician for proper prescription of the medication.
Apply calamine lotion on the lesions for soothing effect.You may give cetrizine syrup for itchiness and paracetamol for fever.

I hope this helps. I shall be glad to help if you have any more query.
Wishing your baby's speedy recovery.
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)

dear doctor, please note till now my daughter is not infected only i am infected. my quetion was primarily that as a precaution shoukd i start medication of my daughter or i shold wait and give medications only when she shows sign or infections?

Answered by Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I won't recommend for prophylactic acyclovir

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for follow up

I am sorry for misinterpretation.
As your baby is already immunised for chicken pox the chances of getting infection is very less.Even if immunised children get infection,it is very mild.
Here I won't recommend you to give her Zovirax for prophylaxis.Maintain proper isolation and keep the baby away.Observe for appearance of any new symptom like fever or rashes.

Thanks and regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar