Treatment Options for Genital Herpes

Treatment with antiviral drugs can help people who are bothered by herpes outbreaks stay symptom-free longer. These drugs can also reduce the severity and duration of herpes symptoms when they flare up. Drug therapy is not a cure for herpes, but it can make living with herpes condition easier.
There are three major drugs commonly used to treat genital herpes symptoms: acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). These are all taken in pill form. Severe cases may be treated with intravenous (IV) acyclovir.
Formulas applied to the surface of the skin provide little benefit, and doctors don’t usually recommend them.

Genital Herpes Drug Medication #1: Famciclovir
Famciclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats shingles caused by herpes zoster. It also treats herpes outbreaks of herpes simplex that cause herpes cold sores around the mouth, herpes sores around the anus, and genital herpes. In people with frequent genital herpes outbreaks, famciclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes.
Famciclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these herpes infections. The herpes viruses that cause these herpes infections continue to live in the body even between herpes outbreaks. Famciclovir decreases the severity and length of these herpes outbreaks. It helps the herpes sores heal faster, keeps new herpes sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the herpes sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, famciclovir can decrease the risk of the herpes virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious herpes infections.

Genital Herpes Drug Medication #2: Valtrex
Valacyclovir is used in children to treat herpes cold sores (herpes labialis) and chickenpox (varicella zoster). It is used in adults to treat herpes cold sores and shingles (herpes zoster). Valacyclovir does not cure these herpes diseases, but it may decrease pain and help herpes sores heal faster. Valacyclovir belongs to a class of medications known as antivirals.
Valacyclovir is also used to treat people with genital herpes who are currently having a genital herpes outbreak. It can also be used to prevent a herpes outbreak (suppressive therapy). This medication helps control herpes symptoms, but does not cure the herpes disease or prevent herpes infection of sexual partners.
If you are taking valacyclovir for treatment of genital herpes, it is important to follow safe sex practices to lower the chance of giving herpes to your partner, even if there are no herpes symptoms present. Always use a condom made of latex or polyurethane. When you have herpes symptoms or are experiencing a herpes outbreak, do not have sexual contact with your partner.

Genital Herpes Drug Medication #3: Zovirax
Acyclovir is used to treat herpes infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats herpes cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex), shingles (caused by herpes zoster), and chickenpox.
This medication is also used to treat genital herpes outbreaks. In people with frequent herpes outbreaks, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future herpes episodes.
Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these herpes infections. The herpes viruses that cause these herpes infections continue to live in the body even between herpes outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these herpes outbreaks. It helps the herpes sores heal faster, keeps new herpes sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the herpes sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, acyclovir can decrease the risk of the herpes virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious herpes infections.

Side Effects of Herpes Medical Drugs and Follow-up Care for Herpes

Side effects with these drugs are considered mild, and health experts believe these drugs are safe in the long term. Acyclovir is the oldest of the three, and its safety has been documented in people taking herpes suppressive therapy for several years.
People taking herpes suppressive therapy should see their doctor at least once a year to decide if they should continue. You may find taking the pills every day to be inconvenient, the drugs may not work for you, or you may naturally have fewer herpes outbreaks as time goes on. Your doctor can help you make herpes treatment choices to suit your needs.