Effective Medications To Treat Herpes

Many of us are you to taking medications or antibiotics to cure us of sickness and disease quickly. There are special drugs out in the market called antiviral drugs that will help to cure herpes. However, unlike antibiotics that cure bacteria, antiviral drugs do not cure the infection. Instead, the drug helps to control the infection, minimize symptoms and keep the infection from spreading to the genital area.

Since 1985 people diagnosed with herpes no longer have to cope with symptoms without the benefits of medication. Even today, there has been an expansion of therapeutic options providing a variety of antiviral drugs. Anyone who has an outbreak of herpes should speak with their physician about possible treatment options. Treatment options will vary from doctor to doctor. Below are a few effective medications to treat herpes.

The following three drugs differ in chemical makeup, how often to take them, price, and FDA requirements. All three are major medications used for either Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) 1 or Herpes Simplex Virus 2. All drugs do not have a FDA indication. Yet, some insurance companies and even health plans will refer to FDA indications to reference how the drug is to be used or reimbursed.

It is important to note that all three drugs, Valaciclovir, Famciclovir, and Acyclovir work in similar ways. They hinder the virus from making copies of itself and spreading to new cells. In order for this to be successful the drug must inhibit an enzyme that is found in the virus, but not in human cells and then hinder the viruses' from synthesizing DNA. These therapies will not cure the infection. HSV remains dormant in the body stored within the nerve ganglia. Each drug can be used daily to inhibit large amounts of the virus from building up and causing whelps or lesions.

Valaciclovir (Valtrex®)

Valaciclovir is an antiviral drug used for genital herpes. Because its active ingredient is Acyclovir the medication has better absorption then some of the other drugs. As a result, Valaciclovir may be taken more frequently.

Famciclovir (Famvir®)

Famciclovir, also known as Famvir, is licensed and used for both suppressive and episodic therapy of herpes. Dosages vary and are based on treatment goals.

Acyclovir (Zovirax®)

Acyclovir, known as Zovirax, was licensed in the 1980's for suppression and treatment of herpes. It was the first successful drug for the treatment of genital herpes. It sells under the name Zovirax. Today there are several generic brands from various manufacturers. Zovirax is, by far, the least expensive antiviral drug on the market. The drug comes in three different formulas: oral, topical and intravenous. Most doctors will not use topical Zovirax to treat herpes because it has not been found useful in treatments.