Document

DailyMed Label: Zovirax

Title
DailyMed Label: Zovirax
Date
2021
Document type
DailyMed Prescription
Name
Zovirax
Generic name
acyclovir
Manufacturer
Bausch Health US, LLC
Product information
NDC: 0187-0994
Product information
NDC: 0187-0994
Product information
NDC: 0187-0994
Description
ZOVIRAX is the brand name for acyclovir, a synthetic deoxynucleoside analogue active against herpes viruses. ZOVIRAX Cream 5% is a formulation for topical administration. The chemical name of acyclovir is 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy) methyl]-6 H -purin-6-one; it has the following structural formula: Acyclovir is a white, crystalline powder with the molecular formula C 8 H 11 N 5 O 3 and a molecular weight of 225. The maximum solubility in water at 37°C is 2.5 mg/mL. The pKa’s of acyclovir are 2.27 and 9.25. Each gram of ZOVIRAX Cream contains 50 mg (equivalent to 5% w/w) of acyclovir and the following inactive ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, water and white petrolatum. Acyclovir Chemical Structure
Indications
ZOVIRAX Cream is a herpes simplex virus (HSV) deoxynucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. ZOVIRAX Cream is a herpes simplex virus (HSV) deoxynucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in immunocompetent adults and adolescents 12 years of age and older. ( 1 )
Dosage
ZOVIRAX Cream should be applied 5 times per day for 4 days. Therapy should be initiated as early as possible following the onset of signs or symptoms of herpes labialis, i.e. during the prodrome or when lesions appear. For adolescents 12 years of age and older, the dosage is the same as in adults. • Apply 5 times a day for 4 days. ( 2 ) • Administer immediately following the onset of cold sore lesions. ( 2 )
Dosage forms
Each gram of ZOVIRAX Cream contains 50 mg (equivalent to 5% w/w) of acyclovir. • Cream, 50 mg (equivalent to 5% w/w) acyclovir. ( 3 )
Contraindications
ZOVIRAX Cream is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valacyclovir, or any component of the formulation. • ZOVIRAX Cream is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valacyclovir or any component of the formulation. ( 4 )
Warnings
• Only for topical use of recurrent HSV lesions on the external aspect of lips and the face. ZOVIRAX Cream should not be applied on mucous membranes including in the eye or inside the mouth or nose. ( 5.1 ) • There is a potential for irritation and contact sensitization. ( 5.2 ) ZOVIRAX Cream should only be applied on the affected external aspects of the lips and face in patients with herpes labialis. Because no data are available, application to human mucous membranes is not recommended. ZOVIRAX Cream is intended for cutaneous use only and should not be used in the eye or inside the mouth or nose. ZOVIRAX Cream has a potential for irritation and contact sensitization [see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ] . The effect of ZOVIRAX Cream has not been established in immunocompromised patients.
Adverse reactions
Drug interactions
Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with ZOVIRAX Cream. Due to minimal systemic absorption of ZOVIRAX Cream, systemic drug interactions are unlikely. • Clinical experience has identified no interactions resulting from topical or systemic administration of other drugs concomitantly with ZOVIRAX Cream. Due to minimal systemic absorption of ZOVIRAX Cream, systemic drug interactions are unlikely. ( 7 )
Use in_specific_populations
Risk Summary Acyclovir is minimally absorbed systemically following topical route of administration, and maternal use is not expected to result in fetal exposure to the ZOVIRAX Cream [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . Experience with topical acyclovir use in pregnant women over several decades, based on published literature including observational studies, has not identified a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage or adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. Animal reproduction studies with systemic exposure of acyclovir have been conducted. Refer to acyclovir prescribing information for additional details. The estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage for the indicated population is unknown. All pregnancies have a background risk of birth defect, loss, or other adverse outcomes. In the U.S. general population, the estimated background risk of major birth defects and miscarriage in clinically recognized pregnancies is 2% to 4% and 15% to 20%, respectively. Risk Summary Acyclovir is minimally absorbed systemically following topical route of administration, and breastfeeding is not expected to result in exposure of the child to ZOVIRAX Cream [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . There are no data on the effects of ZOVIRAX on the breastfed infant or on milk production. The developmental and health benefits of breastfeeding should be considered along with the mother’s clinical need for ZOVIRAX Cream and any potential adverse effects on the breastfed child from ZOVIRAX Cream or from the underlying maternal condition. An open-label, uncontrolled trial with ZOVIRAX Cream was conducted in 113 patients aged 12 to 17 years with recurrent herpes labialis. In this trial, therapy was applied using the same dosing regimen as in adults and subjects were followed for adverse events. The safety profile was similar to that observed in adults. Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients less than 12 years of age have not been established. Clinical studies of acyclovir cream did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 65 and over to determine whether they respond differently from younger subjects. Other reported clinical experience has not identified differences in responses between the elderly and younger patients. Systemic absorption of acyclovir after topical administration is minimal [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] .
How supplied
Each gram of ZOVIRAX Cream contains 50 mg (equivalent to 5% w/w) of acyclovir in an aqueous cream base. ZOVIRAX Cream is supplied as follows: NDC 0187-0994-45: 5 g tubes Store at or below 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].
Clinical pharmacology
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug active against α-herpesviruses [see Microbiology (12.4) ] . A clinical pharmacology study was performed with ZOVIRAX Cream in adult volunteers to evaluate the percutaneous absorption of acyclovir. In this study, which included 6 male volunteers, the cream was applied to an area of 710 cm 2 on the backs of the volunteers 5 times daily at intervals of 2 hours for a total of 4 days. The weight of cream applied and urinary excretion of acyclovir were measured daily. Plasma concentration of acyclovir was assayed 1 hour after the final application. The average daily urinary excretion of acyclovir was approximately 0.04% of the daily applied dose. Plasma acyclovir concentrations were below the limit of detection (0.01 μM) in 5 subjects and barely detectable (0.014 μM) in 1 subject. Systemic absorption of acyclovir from ZOVIRAX Cream is minimal in adults. The systemic absorption of acyclovir following topical application of cream has not been evaluated in patients <18 years of age. Mechanism of Action: Acyclovir is a synthetic purine deoxynucleoside analogue with cell culture and in vivo inhibitory activity against HSV types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) DNA polymerases. It inhibits HSV-1 and HSV-2 replication in cell culture and in vivo. The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is selective due to its affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase (TK) encoded by HSV. This viral enzyme converts acyclovir into acyclovir monophosphate, a deoxynucleotide analogue. The monophosphate is further converted into diphosphate by cellular guanylate kinase and into triphosphate by a number of cellular enzymes. In biochemical assays, acyclovir triphosphate inhibits replication of α-herpes viral DNA. This inhibition is accomplished in 3 ways: 1) competitive inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, 2) incorporation into and termination of the growing viral DNA chain, and 3) inactivation of the viral DNA polymerase. Antiviral Activity The quantitative relationship between the susceptibility of herpes viruses to antivirals in cell culture and the clinical response to therapy has not been established in humans, and virus sensitivity testing has not been standardized. Sensitivity testing results, expressed as the concentration of drug required to inhibit by 50% the growth of virus in cell culture (EC 50 value), vary greatly depending upon a number of factors. Using plaque-reduction assays on Vero cells, the EC 50 values of acyclovir against herpes simplex virus isolates range from 0.09 to 59.9 μM (0.02 to 13.5 μg/mL) for HSV-1 and from 0.04 to 44.0 μM (0.01 to 9.9 μg/mL) for HSV-2. Resistance In Cell Culture Acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 and HSV-2 strains were isolated in cell culture. Acyclovir-resistant HSV resulted from mutations in the viral thymidine kinase (TK; pUL23) and DNA polymerase (POL; pUL30) genes. Frameshifts were commonly isolated and result in premature truncation of the HSV TK product with consequent decreased susceptibility to acyclovir. Mutations in the viral TK gene may lead to complete loss of TK activity (TK negative), reduced levels of TK activity (TK partial), or alteration in the ability of viral TK to phosphorylate the drug without an equivalent loss in the ability to phosphorylate thymidine (TK altered). In cell culture the following resistance-associated substitutions in TK of HSV-1 and HSV-2 were observed (Table 1). Table 1: Summary of Acyclovir (ACV) Resistance-associated Amino Acid Substitutions in Cell Culture HSV-1 TK P5A, H7Q, L50V, G56V, G59A, G61A, K62N, T63A, E83K, P84S, D116N, P131S, R163H, A167V, P173L, Q185R, R216S, R220H, T245M, R281stop, T287M, M322K HSV-2 TK L69P, C172R, T288M HSV-1 POL D368A, Y557S, E597D, V621S, L702H, N815S, V817M, G841C HSV-2 POL - In HSV-Infected Patients Clinical HSV-1 and HSV-2 isolates obtained from patients who failed treatment for their α-herpesvirus infections were evaluated for genotypic changes in the TK and POL genes and for phenotypic resistance to acyclovir (Table 2). HSV isolates with frameshift mutations and resistance-associated substitutions in TK and POL were identified. The listing of substitutions in HSV TK and POL leading to decreased susceptibility to acyclovir is not all inclusive and additional changes will likely be identified in HSV variants isolated from patients who fail acyclovir-containing regimens. The possibility of viral resistance to acyclovir should be considered in patients who fail to respond or experience recurrent viral shedding during therapy. Table 2: Summary of ACV Resistance-associated Amino Acid Substitutions Observed in Treated Patients HSV-1 TK G6C, R32H, R41H, R51W, Y53C/D/H, Y53stop, D55N, G56D/S, P57H, H58/N/R/Y, G59R, G61A, K62N, T63I, Q67stop, S74stop, Y80N, E83K, P84L, Y87H, W88R, R89Q/W, E95stop, T103P, Q104H, Q104stop, H105P, D116N, M121L/R, S123R, Q125H, M128L, G129D, I143V, A156V, D162A/H/N, R163G/H, L170P, Y172C, P173L, A174P, A175V, R176Q/W, R176stop, L178R, S181N, V187M, A189V, V192A, G200C/D/S, T201P, V204G, A207P, L208F/H, R216C/H, R220C/H, R221H, R222C/H, L227F, T245M/P, L249P, Q250Stop, C251G, R256W, E257K, Q261R, T287M, L288Stop, L291P/R, L297S, L315S, L327R, C336Y, Q342Stop, T354P, L364P, A365T HSV-2 TK R34C, G39E, R51W, Y53N, G59P, G61W, S66P, A72S, D78N, P85S, A94V, N100H, I101S, Q105P, T131P, D137stop, F140L, L158P, S169P, R177W, S182N, M183I, V192M, G201D, R217H, R221C/H, Q222stop, R223H, Y239stop, R271V, P272S, D273R, T287M, C337Y HSV-1 POL K532T, Q570R, L583V, A605V, A657T, D672N, V715G, A719T/V, S724N, F733C, E771Q, S775N, L778M, E798K, V813M, N815S, G841S, I890M, G901V, V958L H1228D HSV-2 POL E250Q, D307N, K533E, A606V, C625R, R628C, E678G, A724V, S725G, S729N, I731F, Q732R, M789K/T, V818A, N820S, Y823C, Q829R, T843A, M910T, D912N/V, A915V, F923L, T934A, R964H Note: Additional substitutions to acyclovir resistance may exist. Cross-resistance Cross-resistance has been observed among HSV isolates carrying frameshift mutations and resistance-associated substitutions, which confer reduced susceptibility to penciclovir (PCV), famciclovir (FCV), and foscarnet (FOS) [Table 3]. Table 3: Summary of Amino Acid Substitutions Conferring Cross-Resistance to PCV, FCV or FOS Cross-resistant to PCV/FCV HSV-1 TK G6C, R32H, R51W, Y53C/H, H58N, G61A, S74Stop, E83K, P84L, T103P, Q104Stop, D116N, M121R, I143V, R163H, L170P, Y172C, A174P, R176Q/W, Q185R, A189V, G200D, L208H, R216C, R220H, R222C/H, T245M, Q250Stop, R256W, R281Stop, T287M, L315S, M322K, C336Y Cross-resistant to PCV/FCV HSV-1 POL A657T, D672N, V715G, A719V, S724N, E798K, N815S, G841S Cross-resistant to PCV/FCV HSV-2 TK G39E, R51W, Y53N, R177W, R221H, T288M Cross-resistant to PCV/FCV HSV-2 POL K533E, A606V, C625R, R628C, S729N, Q732R, M789K/T, V818A, N820S, F923L, T934A Cross-resistant to FOS HSV-1 POL D368A, A605V, D672N, L702H, V715G, A719T/V, S724N, L778M, E798K, V813M, N815S, V817M, G841C/S, I890M Cross-resistant to FOS HSV-2 POL K533E, A606V, C625R, R628C, A724V, S725G, S729N, I731F, Q732R, M789K/T, V818A, Y823C, D912V, F923L, T934A, R964H
Nonclinical toxicology
Systemic exposure following topical administration of acyclovir is minimal. Dermal carcinogenicity studies were not conducted. Results from the studies of carcinogenesis, mutagenesis and fertility are not included in the full prescribing information for ZOVIRAX Cream due to the minimal exposures of acyclovir that result from dermal application. Information on these studies is available in the full prescribing information for ZOVIRAX Capsules, Tablets, and Suspension and ZOVIRAX for Injection.
Clinical studies
ZOVIRAX Cream was evaluated in two double-blind, randomized, placebo (vehicle)-controlled trials for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis. The average patient had five episodes of herpes labialis in the previous 12 months. In the first trial, the median age of subjects was 37 years (range 18 to 81 years), 74% were female, and 94% were Caucasian. In the second trial, median age of subjects was 38 years (range 18 to 87 years), 73% were female, and 94% were Caucasian. Subjects were instructed to initiate treatment within 1 hour of noticing signs or symptoms and continue treatment for 4 days, with application of study medication 5 times per day. In both studies, the mean duration of the recurrent herpes labialis episode was approximately one-half day shorter in the subjects treated with ZOVIRAX Cream (n = 682) compared with subjects treated with placebo (n = 703) for approximately 4.5 days versus 5 days, respectively. No significant difference was observed between subjects receiving ZOVIRAX Cream or placebo in the prevention of progression of cold sore lesions. An open-label, uncontrolled trial with ZOVIRAX Cream was conducted in 113 patients aged 12 to 17 years with recurrent herpes labialis. In this trial, therapy was applied using the same dosing regimen as in adults and subjects were followed for adverse events. The safety profile was similar to that observed in adults.
Patient information
ZOVIRAX (zho-vahy-rex) (acyclovir) Cream Important information: ZOVIRAX Cream is for use on cold sores on the lips and around the mouth only. ZOVIRAX Cream should not be used in your eyes, mouth, nose, or on your genitals. What is ZOVIRAX Cream? • ZOVIRAX Cream is a prescription medicine used to treat cold sores (herpes labialis) that are recurring in adults and children 12 years of age and older, and who have normal immune systems. • ZOVIRAX Cream is not a cure for cold sores. It is not known if ZOVIRAX Cream is safe and effective in children less than 12 years of age. Do not use ZOVIRAX Cream if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir, or any of the ingredients in ZOVIRAX Cream. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients in ZOVIRAX Cream. What should I tell my healthcare provider before using ZOVIRAX Cream? Before using ZOVIRAX Cream, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you: • become sick very easily (have a weak immune system). • are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if ZOVIRAX Cream will harm your unborn baby. • are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if ZOVIRAX Cream passes into your breast milk. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to feed your baby if you use ZOVIRAX Cream. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. How should I use ZOVIRAX Cream? • Use ZOVIRAX Cream exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. • Use ZOVIRAX Cream as soon as you have the first symptoms of a cold sore such as itching, redness, burning or tingling, or when the cold sore appears. • Wash your hands with soap and water before and after applying ZOVIRAX Cream. • The affected area should be clean and dry before applying ZOVIRAX Cream. • Apply ZOVIRAX Cream to the affected area 5 times each day for 4 days, including the outer edge. • You should not apply other skin products to the affected area during treatment with ZOVIRAX Cream. • Avoid unnecessary rubbing of the cold sore because this may cause the cold sore to spread to other areas around your mouth or make your cold sore worse. What are the possible side effects of ZOVIRAX Cream? The most common side effects of ZOVIRAX Cream are skin reactions at the treatment site and may include: dry or cracked lips, peeling, flaking or dryness of the skin, a burning or stinging feeling, and itching. These are not all the possible side effects of ZOVIRAX Cream. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. How should I store ZOVIRAX Cream? • Store ZOVIRAX Cream at room temperature between 68° to 77°F (20° to 25°C). Keep ZOVIRAX Cream and all medicines out of reach of children. General information about the safe and effective use of ZOVIRAX Cream. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for purposes other than those listed in a Patient Information leaflet. Do not use ZOVIRAX Cream for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give ZOVIRAX Cream to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them. You can ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider for information about ZOVIRAX Cream that is written for health professionals. What are the ingredients in ZOVIRAX Cream? Active ingredient: acyclovir Inactive ingredients: cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, water, and white petrolatum Distributed by: Bausch Health US, LLC Bridgewater, NJ 08807 USA Manufactured by: Bausch Health Companies Inc. Laval, Quebec H7L 4A8, Canada Zovirax is a trademark of GlaxoSmithKline LLC used under license. © 2021 Bausch Health Companies Inc. or its affiliates For more information, call 1-800-321-4576. This Patient Information has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Revised: 02/2021 9462203
Package label
ZOVIRAX ® (ACYCLOVIR) CREAM 5% NDC 0187-0994-45 Net Wt. 5 g Each gram contains: 50 mg (equivalent to 5% w/w) acyclovir, cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, water and white petrolatum. USE ONLY FOR COLD SORES. FOR CUTANEOUS USE ONLY. Ortho Dermatologics Rx only carton

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Product
acyclovir