Licorice and Sitavig

• Generic Name: licorice
• Dosage Forms: n.a.
• Other Brand Names:

Licorice is a plant also known as Acide Glycyrrhizique, Alcacuz, Bois Doux, Bois Sucré, Gan Zao, Glabra, Glycyrrhiza, Glycyrrhizic Acid, Isoflavone, Jethi-Madh, Kanzo, Lakritze, Liquiritiae Radix, Liquirizia, Mulathi, Orozuz, Phytoestrogen, Racine de Réglisse, Régalissse, Regaliz, Regliz, Subholz, Sussholz, Sweet Root, Yashtimadhu, Yashti-Madhu, Yashti-Madhuka, Zhi Gan Cao, and many other names.

Licorice is a common flavoring agent and food product. When used as a food product, licorice is not likely to produce health benefits or side effects. When used as a medicinal product, licorice may produce both desired and unwanted effects on the body.

Licorice has been used in alternative medicine as a possibly effective aid in treating heartburn when combined with other plants or extracts in a specific preparation. Licorice may also be possibly effective in treating symptoms of eczema (itching, swelling, redness) when applied to the skin.

Other uses not proven with research have included treating psoriasis, canker sores, irritable bowel syndrome, high cholesterol, muscle cramps, cancer pain, arthritis, bleeding, stomach ulcers, and many other conditions.

It is not certain whether licorice is effective in treating any medical condition. Medicinal use of this product has not been approved by the FDA. Licorice should not be used in place of medication prescribed for you by your doctor.

Licorice is often sold as an herbal supplement. There are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for many herbal compounds and some marketed supplements have been found to be contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.

Licorice may also be used for purposes not listed in this product guide.

• Generic Name: acyclovir
• Dosage Forms: tablet, orally disintegrating, delayed release
• Other Brand Names: Sitavig, Zovirax

Sitavig is a prescription medicine used to treat cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults with normal immune systems. It is not known if it is safe and effective in children.

Do not use this medicine if you are allergic to:

acyclovir or any of the ingredients in Sitavig. See the end of this leaflet for a complete list of ingredients. milk protein concentrate

Before using Sitavig, tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, including if you:

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known if this medicine will harm your unborn baby. are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if this medicine passes into your breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription or over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, or herbal supplements.

See the detailed Instructions for Use for information about how to use this medicine.

Use exactly as your healthcare provider tells you to use it. Use within one hour after you have the first symptom of a cold sore, such as itching, redness, burning, or tingling, and before a cold sore appears. You may eat and drink while using Sitavig. Do not crush, chew, suck, or swallow the tablets. Sitavig will slowly dissolve over time while in your mouth and should be left in place. Gently rinse your mouth with water to clean your teeth while Sitavig is in place. Drink more liquids if your mouth becomes dry while using Sitavig.

You should avoid activities that may prevent Sitavig from sticking to your gum, including: touching or pressing Sitavig after you apply it, wearing upper dentures, chewing gum, and brushing your teeth during the treatment day.

The most common side effects include:

headache and pain where Sitavig is applied.

These are not all the possible side effects of Sitavig. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also:

Sitavig side effects (in more detail)