Which herpes medication is the best

Antiviral therapy is not a cure for HSV-2, but these medicines can make living with herpes easier. Even persons with first-episode herpes who have mild clinical manifestations can develop severe symptoms. Therefore, all patients with genital herpes can receive antiviral therapy, says the CDC. The Food and Drug Administration FDA has approved various medicines that are direct-acting, small molecules that inhibit a key enzymatic step in the HSV-2 replication cycle.

Additionally, intravenous acyclovir therapy should be provided for patients who have severe HSV disease or complications that necessitate hospitalization, says the CDC. Although these new agents have proven efficacious in the treatment of herpes infections, there remains a need for medicines with higher potency, more rapid and durable antiviral action, more convenient dosing regimens.

The pipeline for new herpes medicines has been expanding as candidates have evolved more rapidly due to improvements in chemical synthesis. A promising treatment for HSV-2 named pritelivir has demonstrated in a recent clinical trial that it delivers greater viral suppression than current medicines.

Oral pritelivir, a small molecule helicase-primase inhibitor with a novel mode of action, is currently in a clinical phase 2 study , called PRIOH-1, in the U. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.

Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to acyclovir. Do not let anyone else take or use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Acyclovir pronounced as ay sye' kloe veer. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow? What special dietary instructions should I follow?

What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Other names. To use buccal acyclovir, follow these steps: Find the area on the upper gum above your left and right incisor teeth the teeth just to the left and right of your two front teeth. With dry hands, remove one delayed-release tablet from the container.

Gently apply the tablet to the upper gum area as high as it will go on your gum above one of your incisor teeth on the side of your mouth with the cold sore. Do not apply it to the inside of the lip or cheek. Hold the tablet in place for 30 seconds. If the tablet does not stick to your gum or if it sticks to your cheek or the inside of your lip, reposition it to stick to your gum.

Leave the tablet in place until it dissolves. Do not interfere with the placement of the tablet. Check to see if the tablet is still in place after eating, drinking, or rinsing your mouth.

Avoid the following while you are using acyclovir buccal delayed-release tablet: Do not chew gum, touch, or press the buccal tablet after it has been applied. Start Here. Medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD. There are several drugs used to treat herpes, all of which are antiviral medications. In this guide, comparing valacyclovir vs. Herpes medications like valacyclovir, acyclovir and famciclovir belong to a class of medications called antiviral drugs.

Antiviral drugs are designed to inhibit the multiplication of viruses in the body. Unlike antibiotics, which eliminate the bacteria that cause infections, antiviral drugs simply control viral proliferation, rather than completely eliminating the target virus from the body.

None of the antiviral drugs on the market today can cure herpes. However, consistent use of an antiviral drug can make living with herpes much easier by speeding up healing after an outbreak and reducing your risk of transmitting the virus to other people. Herpes drugs are taken for several reasons. Antiviral drugs are also used as part of suppressive therapy for herpes to reduce the severity and frequency of outbreaks.

Even people with asymptomatic herpes can benefit from using antiviral drugs to lower their risk of spreading the virus to other people through sexual or oral contact. Valacyclovir is one of the most widely used drugs for treating herpes. Most people know of this drug as Valtrex , a brand name used to market the medication by GlaxoSmithKline. Valacyclovir is a prodrug , meaning it converts into another drug inside the body.

Acyclovir then blocks the herpes virus from reproducing, helping to control the symptoms of a herpes outbreak. Like other herpes medications, valacyclovir is highly effective.