FORTEX HERPEX cream for herpes 10g
- quickly relieves the symptoms of numbness, itching and redness
- reduces the risk of cold sores progressing to blisters
- accelerates and shortens the treatment
- initial and recurrent herpes
- antiviral action
HERPEX 50 mg / g cream Acyclovir
FOR TREATMENT OF HERPES
Leaflet: patient information
Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start using this medicine because it contains important information for you. Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you.
- Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.
- If you need further information or advice, ask your pharmacist.
- If you get any side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist. This also includes any possible side effects not described in this leaflet. See point 4.
- If after 10 days you do not feel better or your condition worsens, you should seek medical attention.
What this leaflet contains
- What is HERPEX cream and what is it used for
- What you should know before using HERPEX cream
- How to use HERPEX cream
- Possible side effects
- How to store HERPEX cream
- Package contents and additional information
What is HERPEX cream and what is it used for
HERPEX cream is a medicinal product for skin application. Acyclovir, the active ingredient in HERPEX cream, belongs to a group of medicines known as antivirals.
HERPEX Cream is indicated for the treatment of labial herpes lesions (in the area around the mouth) resulting from infection by Herpes simplex virus type 1.
HERPEX Cream is used to treat early signs and symptoms (eg, tingling, itching or redness) of cold sores on the lips and face to reduce the risk of cold sores progressing to blisters.
Even if herpes progresses to blisters, acyclovir (the active ingredient in HERPEX cream) will shorten the healing process by approximately half to one day, compared to a cream without acyclovir.
If after 10 days you do not feel better or your condition worsens, you should seek medical attention.
What you should know before using HERPEX cream
Do not use HERPEX cream:
- if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir, propylene glycol or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6);
- to treat herpes infections of the eyes or genital herpes;
- for skin infections other than herpes.
Warnings and precautions
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using HERPEX cream.
Use HERPEX cream only on cold sores on the lips and face. Do not use the cream on the mucous membranes, namely in the mouth, eyes or genital area.
Pay special attention and consult a doctor if:
- your immune system is not working normally (for example, if you have had a bone marrow transplant or have AIDS);
- you suspect you have herpes. If you are not sure if you have herpes, talk to your doctor;
- Herpes does not go away completely after 10 days of treatment or gets worse.
Herpes is contagious! You should take precautions to prevent possible transmission of the virus, especially in the presence of active lesions.
Wash your hands before and after applying the cream. Avoid touching or scratching the lesions with your hands or even a towel to avoid worsening the herpes, spreading the infection to someone else or other parts of the body.
Children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age.
Other medicines and HERPEX cream
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using, have recently used or might use any other medicines.
There are no known interactions with other drugs.
HERPEX cream with food, drink and alcohol
Do not apply the cream right before a meal, as you may swallow it.
Pregnancy, lactation and fertility
If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, think you may be pregnant, or are planning to become pregnant, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before using this medicine.
Driving and using machines
HERPEX cream does not affect the ability to drive and operate machinery.
How to use HERPEX cream
Always use this medicine exactly as described in this leaflet or as your doctor or pharmacist has told you. If you are not sure, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
It is important to start treatment as soon as the first symptoms of herpes appear.
Many herpes patients can recognize when they will have herpes, ie. get an itchy or tingling sensation. It is recommended to apply HERPEX cream as early as possible, for example in the tingling phase. However, you can start treating cold sores during the vesicle (blister) phase.
Carefully follow the instructions below:
Adults and children over 12 years of age:
Wash your hands before and after applying HERPEX cream to avoid worsening the condition or passing the infection on to someone else or to other parts of the body.
Apply enough of the cream with your finger to completely cover the infected area (including the outer edges of the cold sores, if present).
Apply the cream 5 times a day, every four hours (approximately every 3-4 hours while awake).
Apply HERPEX cream for 4 days. If herpes is not affected, you can continue treatment for up to 10 days. Consult your doctor if you still have symptoms after 10 days.
Do not exceed the recommended dose!
Do not mix HERPEX cream with other skin creams or lotions.
Use in children and adolescents
Do not give this medicine to children under 12 years of age.
If you have used more than the required dose of HERPEX cream
Adverse effects are unlikely to occur if you accidentally use too much or swallow the cream. However, if you or someone around you, especially a child, has swallowed a large amount of the cream by mistake, tell your doctor immediately.
If you forgot to use HERPEX cream
Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Apply the cream when you remember and continue the treatment as before.
If you have stopped using HERPEKS cream
If you have any further questions related to the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Adverse reactions are classified by system organ class and frequency as follows: very common (≥1/10), common (≥ 1/100 to < 1/10), uncommon (≥ 1/1,000 to < 1/100) ), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000), very rare (≤ 1/10,000), not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data).
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders:
Uncommon - transient burning or stinging immediately after applying the cream; slight drying or peeling of the skin; itching.
Rare - redness of the skin; change in skin color; allergic skin reaction (contact dermatitis).
Disorders of the immune system:
Very rare - rapid hypersensitivity reactions, including angioedema and urticaria.
Reporting adverse reactions
If you get any side effects, tell your doctor or pharmacist. This includes all possible side effects not described in this leaflet. You can also report adverse reactions directly through the national reporting system to the Executive Medicines Agency, 8 Damyan Gruev Street, 1303 Sofia: phone +359 2 8903417, website: www.bda.bg. By reporting side effects, you can help get more information about the safety of this medicine.
How to store HERPEX cream
To be stored below 25 ºC.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not use HERPEX cream after the expiry date, which is stated on the carton, after "EXP by:" and on the tube. The expiration date corresponds to the last day of the specified month.
Shelf life after first opening the tube: 12 months.
Do not use this medicine if you notice the visible signs of product deterioration.
Do not dispose of medicines down the drain or in the household waste container. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines you no longer use. These measures will help protect the environment.
Package contents and additional information
What does HERPEX cream contain?
- The active substance is acyclovir. 1 g of the cream contains 50 mg acyclovir (5% acyclovir, w/w).
- Auxiliary substances are: cetostearyl alcohol, liquid paraffin, propylene glycol (E 1520), sodium lauryl sulfate (E 487), poloxamer 407, white soft paraffin and purified water.
What does HERPEX cream look like and what does the package contain
HERPEX cream is a white, smooth cream without agglomerates or foreign particles.
Each pack contains one aluminum tube of 10 g of cream together with a patient leaflet.
License holder
Fortex Nutraceuticals Ltd. 10 Prohladen kat St., Sofia 1362, Bulgaria
Date of last revision of leaflet
October 2018
