Overview
Uses and benefits
Side effects
How to use
How drug works
Safety advice
Missed dose
All substitutes
Quick tips
Fact box
Patient concerns
User feedback
FAQs

Author Details

Written By

Dr. Mayank

Pharm.D

Reviewed By

Dr. Sachin Gupta

MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated

26 Aug 2025 | 12:00 PM (IST)

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Zovirax Eye Ointment

Prescription Required

NPPA Regulated

Marketer

Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd

SALT COMPOSITION

Acyclovir (3% w/w)

Storage

Store below 30°C

Click here to view all substitutes

Product introduction

Zovirax Eye Ointment is an antiviral medicine which treats eye infections caused by Herpes simplex virus. It works by preventing the multiplication of the virus on the surface of your eyeball (cornea). This stops the production of new viruses and clears up your eye infection.

Zovirax Eye Ointment should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. Dissolve it in a glass of water before taking it. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.

Some side effects of this medicine include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Uses of Zovirax Eye Ointment

Eye infections by Herpes simplex virus

Side effects of Zovirax Eye Ointment

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Zovirax

Eye redness
Stinging sensation

How to use Zovirax Eye Ointment

This medicine is for external use only. Take it in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Check the label for directions before use. Hold the tube close to the eye without touching it. Gently squeeze the tube and place the medicine inside the lower eyelid.

How Zovirax Eye Ointment works

Zovirax Eye Ointment is an antiviral medication which treats eye infections caused by Herpes simplex virus. It works by preventing the multiplication of the virus on the surface of your eyeball (cornea). This stops the production of new viruses and clears up your eye infection.

Safety advice

Alcohol

No interaction found/established

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Information regarding the use of Zovirax Eye Ointment during pregnancy is not available. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Zovirax Eye Ointment is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.

Driving

SAFE

Zovirax Eye Ointment does not usually affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

No interaction found/established

Liver

No interaction found/established

What if you forget to take Zovirax Eye Ointment?

If you miss a dose of Zovirax Eye Ointment, use it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your regular schedule.

All substitutes

For informational purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicines.

Zovirax Eye Ointment

₹34.6/Eye Ointment

Optiviral Eye Ointment

Entod Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹66/eye ointment

74% costlier

Quick tips

Zovirax Eye Ointment helps treat eye infections caused by Herpes simplex virus.
Place it inside the lower eyelid five times a day. Do not apply at nighttime.
Continue the tretment for at least 3 days after healing is complete.
It may temporarily cause itching and stinging sensation immediately following application. Inform your doctor if this persists.
Do not wear contact lenses while using Zovirax Eye Ointment.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Nucleoside analog

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

OPHTHAL

Action Class

Antiviral Agents (Non-HIV)

Patient concerns

I hv herpes blisters around lips and inside mouth ulcer any med to apply 6th day of course of medicine zovirax 800mg

Dr. Atula Gupta

Dermatology

Tab Acivir 400 mg three times daily for 5 daysAcivir ointment once dailyFucidin cream once dailyTest : HSV 1 and 2 IGG and IGM

I have cold sores on lips every march this is 4th year Is there any cure or remedies for treating herpes simplex virus

Dr. Deepak Kumar Soni

Ayurveda

HI Kindly share your treatment detail

User feedback

Patients taking Zovirax Eye Ointment

Once A Day

61%

Twice A Day

22%

Four Times A *

11%

Thrice A Day

*Four Times A Day

What are you using Zovirax Eye Ointment for?

Genital herpe*

50%

Eye infection*

50%

*Genital herpes infection, Eye infections by Herpes simplex virus

FAQs

Is Zovirax Eye Ointment effective?

Zovirax Eye Ointment is effective if used in the dose and duration advised by your doctor. Do not stop taking it even if you see improvement in your condition. If you stop using Zovirax Eye Ointment too early, the symptoms may return or worsen.

I feel better now, can I stop using Zovirax Eye Ointment?

No, you should not stop using Zovirax Eye Ointment suddenly without talking to your doctor. This is because your symptoms may worsen and your infection may return. Remember, your symptoms may improve and you may feel better before the infection is completely cleared. Stopping the medication too early could allow the spread of the infection and hence, prevent complete healing.

In which conditions is the use of Zovirax Eye Ointment avoided?

Use of Zovirax Eye Ointment should be avoided in patients who are allergic to Zovirax Eye Ointment or any of its components. However, if you are not aware of any allergy, or if you are using Zovirax Eye Ointment for the first time, consult your doctor.

What are the instructions for the storage and disposal of Zovirax Eye Ointment?

Keep Zovirax Eye Ointment in the container or the pack it came in, tightly closed. Store it according to the instructions mentioned on the pack or label. Dispose off the unused medicine. Keep it away from children and other people to avoid any misuse.

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Disclaimer:

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

References

Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1594-1600.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. pp. 846-47.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 18-22.
Acyclovir [FDA Draft Guidance]. 2022. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from:
Taylor M, Gerriets V. Acyclovir. [Updated 2023 May 7]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024. [Accessed 25 Jul. 2024] (online) Available from: