Information Tor the user

Avert Cold Sore Cream

(Aciclovir)

Read all of this leaflet carefully because it contains important information for you.

' This medicine is available without | prescription to treat minor i conditions. However, you still need | to use it carefully to get the best i resuits from it.

I • Keep this leaflet, you may need to ¹ read it again

| • Ask your pharmacist if you need i more information or advice

What this medicine is for

i This medicine contains Aciclovir | which belongs to a group of i medicines called antivirals, which ¹ act to treat infections caused by ! viruses.

| It can be used to treat cold sores of i the lips and face.

Before you use this medicine

i This medicine can be used by | adults and children. However, some i people should not use this medicine ] or should seek the advice of their I pharmacist or doctor first.

XDo not use:

| • If you are allergic to aciclovir, i valaciclovir or any of the ingredients | in this medicine (see “What is in this i medicine¹¹)

• To treat herpes infections (which | may appear as ulcers or blisters) on i your eye or in the genital area

f Talk to your pharmacist or doctor:

, • If you suffer from problems with i your immune system which may | make you more prone to infections i (this problem may be caused by an | illness, some medicines or i radiotherapy)

| • If your cold sore is severe

•    If you are in any doubt whether the ] sore is a cold sore

•    If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant or breastfeeding ,

Other important information

Cold sores are infectious and you i should try not to pass the infection ¹ on to other people. Taking the following precautions may help to ' reduce the risk of passing on the ] infection:

•    Do not touch the cold sore with your hands or towel, if possible

•    Wash your hands immediately if you' do touch the cold sore

•    Do not share your towels with other i people

•    Do not share eating or drinking utensils with other people

•    Try not to kiss other people, especially children, until your cold i sore has healed

Information about some of the | ingredients: Propylene glycol in ! this medicine may cause skin irritation.

Cetyl alcohol may cause skin reactions (e.g. contact dermatitis), i

If you take other medicines

This medicine is not expected to i affect any other medicines that you ] may be using.

If you are unsure about interactions ! with any medicines, talk to your pharmacist. This includes medicines! prescribed by your doctor and medicine you have bought for yourself, including herbal and homeopathic remedies.

/How to use this medicine

i Wash your hands before and after | using the cream.

If after 5 days the cold sore has not healed you can continue to apply the cream for a further 5 days if necessary.

For use on the skin only.

Apply only to the lips and face. Do not apply the cream to the inside of the mouth, the eyes or inside the vagina as it may cause irritation.

Do not use more than the amount recommended above.

If your cold sore has not healed after 10 days stop using the cream and talk to your doctor.

If your symptoms worsen at any time stop using the cream and talk to your doctor.

! If anyone accidentally swallows some of the medicine: Talk to a pharmacist or doctor.

Possible side effects

Most people will not have problems, but some may get some.

! If you get any of these serious side effects, stop using the cream. See a doctor at once:

•    Difficulty in breathing, swelling of the face, neck, tongue or throat (severe allergic reactions)

These other effects are less serious. If they bother you talk to a pharmacist:

Uncommon side effects:

(less than 1 in every 100 people are affected)

•    Burning or stinging sensation of the skin where the cream has been applied

•    itching, dryness or flaking of the skin Rare side effects:

(less than 1 in every 1000 people are affected)

•    Flushed skin, contact dermatitis (redness and swelling of the skin)

Very rare:

(less than 1 in every 10,000 people | are affected)

•    Raised, red, itchy skin (symptoms oij urticaria, which is often known as i hives or nettle rash)

Other side effects:

(It is unknown how often these may | occur)

•    Tense skin

•    Painful sensation of the skin where i the cream has been applied

If any side effect becomes severe, or you notice any side effect not listed here, please tell your pharmacist or doctor.

How to store this medicine

Do not store above 30°C.

Keep this medicine in a safe place ¹ out of the sight and reach of children,! preferably in a locked cupboard.

Use by the date on the end flap of i the carton. Throw away any medicine left 4 weeks after you first | open the cream.

What is in this medicine

Each gram of cream contains Aciclovir 50 mg, which is the active ] ingredient.

As well as the active ingredient, the ! cream also contains propylene glycol, liquid paraffin, white soft paraffin, cetyl alcohol, dimeticone, i arlatone 983S, purified water.

The pack contains 2 g of cream.    ]

Who makes this medicine

Manufactured for The Boots Company PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA by Merckle GmBH Ludwig-Merckle-Str 3 D-89143 Blaubeuren Germany. Marketing    i

Authorisation held by ratiopharm    j

GmBFI Graf-Arco-Str 3 d-89079    ,

Ulm Germany

Leaflet prepared September 2011 ' If you would like any further information about this medicine, please contact The Boots Company, PLC Nottingham NG2 3AA

2Q192.-E