Herpes Medicine

Herpes medicine is prescribed to stop the growth of herpes simplex virus thus reducing the presence of symptoms of genital herpes in the body.

Herpes medicines are prescribed to:

• People who have poor immune system and experience several genital herpes outbreak
• People who always have outbreak of genital herpes symptoms
• People who experience six or more recurring outbreaks per year
• People who want to reduce the severity of the outbreaks
• Pregnant women who experience genital herpes outbreak
• Pregnant women who have recurring outbreak of genital herpes in the last four weeks of pregnancy

The three antiviral medicines being prescribed are:

• Acyclovir (brand name: Zovirax)
• Famciclovir (brand name: Famvir)
• Valacyclovir (brand name: Valtrex)

These medications are often taken in oral pill form but among the three, Famciclovir and Valacyclovir are taken less frequently per day compared to Acyclovir, this is because they are more easily absorbed by the stomach.

Antiviral medications are also available intravenously but they are just given to patients whose genital herpes are really severe.

There are also topical ointments which are used for oral herpes is not recommended for genital herpes. There are many topical ointments, which claim to treat genital herpes, but they are not proven to be effective and they are not recommended.

How the Medicines Work

Antiviral medicines for genital herpes are classified according to two types, the medicines for initial outbreak and recurring outbreaks.

Antiviral medicines for initial outbreaks are given to lessen the severity of symptoms and they also work in reducing the number of days the herpes will attack.

The U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the following antiviral medicines for initial outbreak of herpes:

• Acyclovir 200 mg – five times a day for seven to ten days
• Acyclovir 400 mg – three times a day for seven to ten days
• Famciclovir 250 mg- three times a day for seven to ten days
• Valacyclovir 1 g – two times a day for seven to ten days

For recurring outbreaks, antiviral medications are most effective when it is taken on the first initial stage of prodromal symptoms, which may include tingling sensation and pain in the infected area.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the used of these drugs for recurring genital herpes outbreaks:

• Acyclovir 400 mg – three times a day for five days
• Acyclovir 800 mg – twice a day for five days
• Acyclovir 800 mg – three times a day for two days
• Famciclovir 125 mg – twice a day for five days
• Famciclovir 1000 mg – twice a day for one day
• Valacyclovir 500 mg – twice a day for three days
• Valacyclovir 1 g – once a day for five days

These medications are recommended for those who have recurring outbreaks; however, for those who experience six or more outbreaks per year, a suppressive therapy is a better option.

Suppressive therapy aims to decrease the severity of the symptoms as well as to minimize the number of days the patient will experience during the outbreak.

The medications under the suppressive therapy under the recommendation of Center for Disease Control and Prevention include:

• Acyclovir 400 mg – twice a day daily
• Famciclovir 250 mg twice a day daily
• Valacyclovir 1 g once a day daily

These drugs are known to decrease the frequency of outbreaks by seventy up to eighty percent. You may consider taking suppressive therapy to avoid severe herpes attacks and complications later on.

Herpes Medicine Side Effects

Herpes medicine are safe to use even for long term use, however, like any other medicines, there are common side effects which patients may experience. Some of the known side effects may include:

• Headache
• Malaise
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Pain in the joints
• Constipation

Don’t take antiviral medications without prescription. Ask your health care provider the best herpes medicine for your condition. 

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