Generic name:acyclovir
Dosage form: ointment
Drug class:Topical antivirals
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 1, 2020.
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Zovirax Ointment Description
ZOVIRAX is the brand name for acyclovir, a synthetic nucleoside analogue active against herpes viruses. Zovirax Ointment 5% is a formulation for topical administration. Each gram of Zovirax Ointment 5% contains 50 mg of acyclovir in a polyethylene glycol (PEG) base.
Acyclovir is a white to off-white crystalline powder with the molecular formula C8H11N5O3 and a molecular weight of 225.20. The maximum solubility in water at 37°C is 2.5 mg/mL. The pka’s of acyclovir are 2.27 and 9.25.
The chemical name of acyclovir is 2-amino-1,9-dihydro-9-[(2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl]-6H-purin-6-one; it has the following structural formula: