My Zovirax cream order to Leicester has been marked as dispatched. Does that mean it will arrive tomorrow?
Not necessarily. Dispatch means the order has left for delivery; arrival depends on the delivery service selected and the carrier's progress.
Zovirax cream (Aciclovir)
Generic:
Aciclovir
In stock: 12 packs
AdultsPregnancyAllergiesDiabetesBreastfeedingChildrenDriving
Dosages
Zovirax cream 5 g
| Quantity | Price per tube | You save | Total price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | £27.04 | - | £54.08 | |
| 3 | £22.72 | £12.96 | £68.15 | |
| 4 | £20.19 | £27.41 | £80.75 | |
| 5 | £19.26 | £38.89 | £96.30 | |
| 6 | £18.15 | £53.34 | £108.90 | |
| 7 | £17.46 | £67.04 | £122.23 | |
| 8 | £16.95 | £80.75 | £135.57 | |
| 9 | £16.63 | £93.71 | £149.64 | |
| 10 | £16.15 | £108.90 | £161.49 |
Manufacturers
GlaxoSmithKlineHaleon
Payment & Delivery
Package Example
Your order is carefully packed and is dispatched within 24 hours. Here is what a typical package looks like.
Sized like a regular personal letter (approximately 24x11x0.7 cm), with no indication of what is inside.
Delivery Times
| Delivery Method | Estimated delivery |
|---|---|
| Express Free for orders over £222.24 | Estimated delivery to the UK: 4-7 days |
| Standard Free for orders over £148.16 | Estimated delivery to the UK: 14-21 days |
Payment Methods
Discount Coupons
- New Year's Day - 1 January 2026 9% NEWYEAR9
- Valentine's Day - 14 February 2026 6% VALENTINE6
- St David's Day - 1 March 2026 4% DAVID4
- St Patrick's Day - 17 March 2026 5% PATRICK5
- St George's Day - 23 April 2026 4% GEORGE4
- May Day - 1 May 2026 5% MAYDAY5
- Halloween - 31 October 2026 6% HALLOWEEN6
- Guy Fawkes Night - 5 November 2026 5% GUY5
- Christmas Eve - 24 December 2026 9% XMASEVE9
- Christmas Day - 25 December 2026 10% XMAS10
- Boxing Day - 26 December 2026 10% BOXING10
- New Year's Eve - 31 December 2026 8% NYE8
Brand Names
Also known as (by country):
| Country | Brand Names |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | Zovirax Cold Sore Cream |
FAQ
No. In the United Kingdom, aciclovir 5% cream is a Pharmacy (P) medicine and does not require a prescription. It is supplied under a pharmacist's supervision.
A generic aciclovir 5% cream contains the same active ingredient, aciclovir, at the same stated strength. The cream base, inactive ingredients, packaging and appearance can differ between products, so check the label if you need to avoid a particular ingredient.
Do not increase the amount applied or extend treatment on your own. Seek medical advice if the sore is not healing after the recommended treatment period, becomes severe or widespread, affects the eye, or occurs with a weakened immune system.
Store the cream at 25°C; short excursions between 15°C and 30°C are permitted. Keep the tube tightly closed and do not freeze it. Keep it out of the sight and reach of children.
Zovirax cream contains aciclovir, an antiviral medicine used on the skin for herpes simplex infections, including cold sores on or around the lips. It helps limit viral replication but does not remove herpes simplex virus from the body or prevent all future outbreaks.
Apply a thin layer to the affected skin and surrounding area, usually five times daily at roughly 4-hour intervals while awake. Start at the first tingling or blistering signs where possible, wash hands before and after application, and avoid contact with the eyes and inside of the mouth.
Description
Note:
Images in the description are provided for informational purposes and may differ from the actual appearance of the product. Please refer to the product name, strength, active ingredients, and pharmaceutical form.
Zovirax is also available as 200 mg, 400 mg and 800 mg tablets (oral aciclovir).
Zovirax (Aciclovir) Cream: Key Facts
- Used for recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) on the lips or face caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
- For adults and adolescents aged 12 and over with a normal immune system.
- Apply only to the outside of the lips and face. Do not use it in the eyes or inside the mouth or nose.
What It Treats
Zovirax cream contains aciclovir and is used to treat recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) when applied early in an outbreak.
Zovirax for Cold Sores vs Genital Herpes
| Condition | Can Zovirax (aciclovir) cream be used? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold sores on the lips or face (recurrent herpes labialis) | Yes (on-label) | Start early, at the tingling or itching stage, or when lesions appear. |
| Genital herpes | No | Zovirax cream is not intended for use on the genitals. In the UK, genital herpes is usually treated with prescription oral antivirals, based on a clinician's advice. |
What Zovirax Cream Does Not Do
- It does not cure herpes (HSV stays in the body).
- It does not prevent future outbreaks.
- It does not stop the virus being passed on to other people.
Before You Use
- Do not use if you are allergic to aciclovir, valaciclovir or any of the ingredients in the cream.
- Children under 12 years: safety and effectiveness have not been established. Only use it if your healthcare provider in the United Kingdom tells you to.
If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your healthcare provider before using this medicine.
This product contains propylene glycol and cetostearyl alcohol, which may cause local skin reactions such as stinging or burning. If you know you are sensitive to these substances, ask a healthcare professional before using it.
How to Use
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| How much should I apply? | Apply a thin layer, using enough to fully cover the affected area. |
| When should I start? | As early as possible, at the first sign of an outbreak (tingling or itching) or when lesions appear. |
| How often? | 5 times a day. |
| How long? | 4 days. If it has not healed, you may continue for up to 10 days. See a healthcare provider if symptoms continue beyond that. |
| How quickly does it work? | It may shorten the episode if started early, but it is not a cure and results vary from person to person. |
If you miss a dose, apply it as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for the next application, skip the missed dose and continue with your usual schedule.
If you apply too much, an overdose on the skin is unlikely. If irritation occurs, wash the area gently and speak to a healthcare provider.
Zovirax Cream vs Aciclovir Ointment (5%)
| Feature | Zovirax (aciclovir) Cream 5% | Aciclovir Ointment 5% |
|---|---|---|
| Main on-label use | Recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) on the lips or face (≥12 years) | Initial genital herpes; limited mucocutaneous HSV in immunocompromised patients (prescription use) |
| Where to apply | Outside of the lips and face only; not in the eyes, mouth or nose | For skin use only; not in the eye (genital use may be prescribed for initial genital herpes according to the label) |
| Typical dosing | 5 times a day for 4 days (up to 10 days if needed) | Every 3 hours, 6 times a day for 7 days |
Possible Side Effects
- Mild pain, burning or stinging where the cream is applied.
- Dry, flaky skin or cracked lips.
- Itching or redness in the treated area.
Rarely, severe allergic reactions can happen, such as swelling of the face, lips or throat, trouble breathing, or allergic skin reactions such as contact dermatitis or eczema. Stop using the cream and seek medical advice if this happens.
Storing and Expiry Date
- Keep out of the sight and reach of children.
- Store at or below 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
- Keep it in the original packaging.
- Do not use after the expiry date shown on the carton or tube. If it has expired, stop using it and dispose of it properly (ask your pharmacist for advice).
Further Information
The active ingredient is aciclovir 5% w/w (50 mg per gram of cream).
The other ingredients are cetostearyl alcohol, mineral oil, poloxamer 407, propylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfate, water and white petrolatum.
Zovirax cream is a smooth white to off-white cream. Packaging may vary by market; in the UK, Zovirax Cream is commonly supplied in 2 g tubes.
Health and Hygiene
Cold sores are small, fluid-filled blisters that usually appear on or around the lips and are caused by HSV. To help reduce the risk of spreading the virus during an outbreak:
- Avoid close contact with other people.
- Do not share items that may have come into contact with the sore, such as utensils, towels or lip balm.
- Wash your hands often, especially after touching the affected area.
- Avoid picking at blisters to help prevent a secondary infection.
MD, infectious diseases specialist and medical writer
Customer questions
I live in Lisburn, Northern Ireland. Can I confirm whether Zovirax cream can be delivered to my address before I pay?
Yes. Enter your delivery address at checkout to see the delivery options available for your Lisburn postcode before completing payment.
Before I order from Belfast, can I use my postcode to check if this cream can be delivered to me?
Yes. Add the product to your basket and enter your Belfast postcode at checkout; the available delivery options will be shown there.
My new tube looks different from the one I ordered before. What should I compare before using it?
A different appearance alone does not mean the cream is wrong. Compare the active ingredient, 5% strength, cream dosage form, manufacturer and package label, plus the batch number, expiry date and tube condition; do not use it if any of these are incorrect or the seal is damaged.
I have just found out that I am pregnant and had started using the cream for a cold sore. Should I carry on?
Absorption of aciclovir through the skin is minimal, but use in pregnancy should be considered against the expected benefit. Speak with your midwife, GP or pharmacist before deciding whether to continue, especially if you need treatment over a large area or for longer than usual.
Product specifications
| Active ingredient | Aciclovir |
|---|---|
| Drug class | Antiviral |
| Dosage form | Cream |
| Available strengths | 5% |
| Route | Topical |
| Storage | Store at 25°C; excursions permitted to 15°C - 30°C. Keep the tube tightly closed and do not freeze. |
| ATC code | D06BB03 |
Regulatory information
United Kingdom: Zovirax Cold Sore Cream status
Registration statusZovirax Cold Sore Cream 5% w/w is an authorised medicinal product in the United Kingdom.
Prescription statusIt is classified as a Pharmacy (P) medicine and does not require a prescription, but is supplied under a pharmacist's supervision.
Side-effect reportingSuspected adverse reactions can be reported through the UK MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
Official medicine informationThe NHS provides patient medicine information for aciclovir, including advice on use and side effects.
More information
Reviews
This product has 6 ratings, but only 5 written reviews so far. Share your experience and help other customers.
SB
Sophie B, London
Verified review
Ordered the aciclovir cream and it sailed through customs without a single question, delivered smoothly to London.
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OH
Oliver H, Leicester
Verified review
The outer parcel arrived slightly dented but the Zovirax cream inside was perfectly intact and unaffected.
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OH
Olivia H, Nottingham
Verified review
Packaging was completely discreet with no hint of what was inside, just spot on for a bit of privacy.
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GT
George T, Edinburgh
Verified review
When I lived in London delivery seemed to arrive two or three days quicker, though that's just been my experience.
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ET
Emily T, Stoke-on-Trent
Verified review
Bought this aciclovir cream for my father and support kindly corrected a mistake in his address before it was dispatched.
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