Acyclovir vs docosanol

Common Questions and Answers about Acyclovir vs docosanol

zovirax

Avatar m tn Abreva (the trade name for docosanol) is not highly effective against HSV and has never been studied for genital herpes, only oral; and even there is barely better than placebo, if at all, and is not recommended by any authoritative agency for herpes treatment. Accordingly, I have no personal experience with docosanol and no familiarity with its side effects; I cannot comment on whether you are having drug-related irritation, a continuing herpes outbreak, or something else entirely.
Avatar m tn She did not think it was HSV and did not order any tests. She did however give me a prescription of acyclovir just in case. About 3 days later I was really panicked and took the Acyclovir for about 3 days. I have not had any other mouth sores but an intermittent very low-grade fever and body aches has persisted to this date. I also have 1 slightly swollen lymph node under my chin (the same side as the ulcers appeared.
Avatar m tn I have been using a 5% docosanol lip balm that I found online. I have been applying it religiously, at an OCD rate of about 10-15 applications per day and a heavy application before I go to bed. It has been 5 and a half months now and I have NOT had a single outbreak, just a little tiny bump, at about month 3, that never developed and went completely away in 2 days.
Avatar f tn However, it is well documented that valtrex and acyclovir perform very similarly. Valtrex is actually converted into acyclovir by the liver, so essentially, the two drugs act the same way in the body to suppress the virus. If acyclovir improves your quality of life, I would stick with it and explain the similarities to your partner - they are well documented and I expect you can find information in scholarly journals that supports the suppressive activity of acyclovir.
Avatar m tn acyclovir needs to be taken twice a day for suppressive therapy.
Avatar m tn He tested me, and I came back positive for HSV2. I started taking suppressive meds (acyclovir 800mg/day). The bump popped, diminished, then a month later came back, still no itch, no pain. I'm thinking this is a HSV2 outbreak and treat it with increased acyclovir. Time goes by and I'm asking questions on the HSV bulletin boards, and its not adding up. Finally I figure out it must be a wart. I get the medicine and the wart goes away in 3 days.
Avatar n tn i forgot to ask about home pcr testing. i've read that you can get a months worth to monitor your viral shedding. is this true and if so where can i get it?
Avatar n tn I've checked two local pharmacies and online. Blue Shield's price for Valtrex is $175.00 vs. Acyclovir at $10.00 per perscription. Tell me the manufacturers aren't trying to gouge us. This is a drug that's been on the market for decades, millions of people take it regularly, it has no adverse effects that I've found and there is no reason to pay that much for something used that widely and that often.
Avatar f tn Ive been taking acyclovir (generic for zovirax) for about a year now. my doctor said its the same drug as valtrex but with valtrex you can get away with taking it once a day. I also dont have insurance and can not afford valtrex so thats why im taking this generic. I take 400mg acyclovir twice a day (which was very hard to get used to, but you have to!) and I get 180 pills (90 days) at Hy-Vee (grocery store) and Sam's club for $10. Other pharmacies charge upwards of $80 for just 30 days.
Avatar m tn To save money, my insurance switched me to acyclovir (400 mg twice a day) with similar results as the Valtrex. Then starting about 3 months ago, I began to have outbreaks every two weeks even with the suppression therapy. My doctor changed me to famciclovir with no change in the frequency of the outbreaks. In addition to the antiviral therapies I also receive hormonal replacement therapy (testosterone injections) every two weeks. I started this a little over a year ago.
Avatar f tn Besides the zovirax ointment, which is difficult to administer since his lips are so sore, are their oral meds vs. topical that would be effective and safe? My pediatrician says he's too young for suppression therapy, but I've read other places that it's available for children under 12. Very frustrated, and just want to give my son some relief.
Avatar f tn their provider needs to better educate himself on acyclovir. we start children on oral acyclovir suppressively from month of age upward as needed. no need for any labs or anything either from it. the arginine/lysine theory never panned out outside of the lab actually. They are even using arginine to treat herpes in research now. Children drink a lot of milk which balances it out anyways. at this point I'd seek out the advice of a pediatric dermatologist for your son.
Avatar f tn previously it reccurs aftr 6months bt from 5months it recurrs frequently [2times/month]iam using acyclovir topical and oral from 1month it subsiding for a while and recurring while iam stressed,gastritis and im also having intermittent cough from 3moths.i got herpes genitalis when i had sex with my 4th boyfriend 5months back.
Avatar m tn If you do get recurrences frequently, or you want to reduce transmission to a partner, you can take daily medication to help. Valtrex or acyclovir are the meds for that. Valtrex is once a day, but is generally more expensive. Acyclovir is twice a day, and is generally a lot cheaper. Most people decide what to take based on convenience vs cost.
Avatar m tn 5 weeks) I am feeling burning and tingling sensation in my groin and around my lips. I am going to get a blood work soon am just waiting for acyclovir to wear off so not to dissuade the data, but assuming that it is genital herpes 1 how is the different, should I take a little breath of relief that it isn't hpv 2. How recurrent is it. And most importantly how is the contagion different? I know it depends of many factors how likely am I to spread it to a partner after it subsides?
Avatar m tn Even now, since you are still forming new lesions, acyclovir should hasten healing. In addition, acyclovir and related drugs are very safe and are not a threat to your kidneys. these are some of the safest medicines we use. The matter of suppressive therapy is a personal choice in terms of how you react to the recurrences. Many people would like to have as few and as mild a recurrence as possible, others take a wait and see attitude.
Avatar f tn I stopped taking acyclovir in December 2011. I have had numerous outbreaks like once a month or every couple of months. I have had HSV2 four years and four months now. My last outbreak was maybe eight weeks ago. Shouldn't my outbreaks decrease since I have had the virus for some time.I would like to know is that too many outbreaks to be experiencing.
Avatar m tn i started taking acyclovir a few days ago for the first time for a mild cold sore breakout. 2 days after i started, the cold sores got more intense, and 2 new huge cold sores came up out of nowhere. i have 3 more days left of the medication, and i'm going to keep taking it, but what should i do? these cold sores are not going away, and it seems like its getting worse! so done with these friggin things...
Avatar m tn Like most I cannot afford Valtrex any more. I have switched to Acyclovir. I've used it effectively for the couple of outbreaks but it seems to be taking considerably longer. I am taking L-Lysene as a suppressor and only take the Acyclovir at the first sign of an outbreak. I was taking 1000mg Valtrex at onset and then 500mg twice a day and everything was clear in 3 days. To get the same effectiveness from Acyclovir how much should I be taking daily during out breaks?