Efficacy of valacyclovir vs acyclovir
Common Questions and Answers about Efficacy of valacyclovir vs acyclovir
valtrex
postmarketing experience with valacyclovir provides evidence of favorable safety and efficacy in herpes simplex virus (HSV) management. Valacyclovir enhances acyclovir bioavailability compared with orally administered acyclovir. Long-term use of acyclovir for up to 10 years for HSV suppression is effective and well tolerated.
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. The benefit of valtrex is that it can be given at a higher dose and only once per day.
However, all studies with acyclovir that have had similar outcomes to valtrex have been with twice daily dosing.
If both the infected and uninfected members of a couple consistently take any of the anti-HSV drugs (acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir), I cannot imagine transmission taking place.
You are wrong about suppressive therapy and blood test results. If someone catches HSV-2, the blood test becomes positive. If it remains negative, no infection occurred.
For suppressive therapy to prevent transmission, I normally rely on valacylcovir 1.0 g once daily.
There are no data on the efficacy of acyclovir, at any dose, in preventing transmission of HSV. Only valacyclovir has been studied for this purpose and therefore, I have less confidence in acyclovir (at any dose). 800 mg twice daily might be more effective than the lower dose, but am not comfortable with such a prediction.
1) Take suppressive therapy, preferably with valacyclovir (acyclovir would be OK, but is less convenient because of more frequent dosing); 2) Inform each and every parnter of your HSV2 infection; and 3) always use condoms, unless your partner is willing to take the chance of not doing so.
Although your apparently doesn't know herpes or its management very well, this doesn't necessarily mean she otherwise "sucks" as a caring and effective doctor.
Take antiviral medications like Acyclovir and Valtrex can help. Some topical creams like Prosurx or Acyclovir are also effective in keeping herpes sores dry. Besides, you should wear cotton underwear to avoid irritation. Immeditaely keep the sores clean and dry after taking bath by a soft cotton towel, and don't forget to wash the towel.
Do report back to your doctor that the prescription is not helping, and that you may need to (a) double your dose, (b) try the brand name itself (Valtrex, rather than the generic valacyclovir) or (c) try an entirely different antiviral. Acyclovir works best for me and for many others, for example.
I hope you find relief soon. There may be over-the-counter topicals that will help with the discomfort. I've heard that folks sometimes use the oral herpes ointments with success.
I have been on Acyclovir once a day 400mg as a preventative for outbreaks for almost 2 years now. It has significantly helped lessen the amount of outbreaks as well as the duration if I do get one. I had to recently switch doctors and this new doctor is not willing to prescribe it to me anymore stating that the FDA has linked Acyclovir to causing cancer after 1 year of use. I can't find anything on FDA website or Google linking long term effects causing cancer.
hi guys i really need to get rid of a pain that is continuous and excruciating on my penile heat exactly in the spot the blisters where.
Got diagnosed with post herpetic neuralgia after being on Valacyclovir for 3 months.
I am on Amytriptiline already for 3 months then increased dosage from 10mg to 75 mg now .
Should i continue at 75mg ? .... the pain is stabbing ... the zone where the blisterd where swell after sex and go back when used a moisturizer cream .
m on daily suppressive therapy of 1000 mg of Valtrex/Valacyclovir, even with that, it seems I still get outbreaks, every month, the first week after my period.
Questions:
1) Is it reasonable to get regular monthly outbreaks while on suppressive therapy? Should I consider asking to up my daily dose? Or perhaps, knowing the pattern, should I just increase it at the end of my cycle? If so, starting when and how much?
You must tell your physician if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir. any kidney disease, blood disorders, immune deficiencies, dizziness etc. side effects associated are nausea, vomiting, fatigue, sore throat, hemolytic uremic syndrome etc.
You need to be concerned about the cumulative side effects of the two drugs. Otherwise, there are no serious interactions documented in the medical literature. Hope this helps. Take care.
Hi, I was diagnosed visually for herpes gentital after I had a few sores on foreskin of penis on 22nd May 2016. Since then I have been on initially on acyclovir and then valacyclovir 500mg daily. After the initial outbreak then just today I noticed after masturbation and washing my penis vigorously with soap just the head of the penis has a mild red rash.
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
The general risk of STDs from oral sex really isn't the issue here, is it? It seems the only concern is transmission of HSV, right?
You certainly could acquire oral herpes due to HSV-2 by performing oral sex on your partner, if he happened to have an outbreak or to be shedding virus without symptoms at the time of the exposure. Similarly, oral sex by you on him could transmit HSV-1 to his penis.
I have genital herpes and my partner has a severely compromised immune system as a result of chemotherapy tx. We have not had sexual intercourse and want to understand what is safe to do/not do. Trying also to determine the best kind of specialist to consult with.
I have recently found out that I have HSV-1 (IgG=41). Not sure if it was from past sexual encounters or even before that, but doesn't matter anymore. I've read somewhere online before that taking acyclovir or valacyclovir every day consistently might result in a negative HSV test. My questions are:
1. Does that work and is that recommended, if not, why?
2.
Hi there.
I just learned I may have been exposed to HIV through unprotected anal sex, and I need to know my risk factors. Three nights ago I had sex with a HIV+ partner who neglected to tell me his status. I was the insertive partner (i.e. the Top), and had no blood exchange or rough sex. I also withdrew before orgasming. I was exposed to his semen, though only on my skin and had no open cuts or sores.
really no reason to be concerned about the actual dose of medication either. we have info on the safety of acyclovir for almost 30 years now and valtrex for 20 years. No long term side effects from being on them. If you are going to bother to take antivirals, take the right dose so that it's actually working.
You are confused. There is a valine ester hanging off of the acyclovir formulation that makes valacyclovir (Valtrex) able to have better bioavailability. That is NOT the active ingredient.
There are no supplements that have been shown to be effective in dealing with herpes, unfortunately.
I'm not clear that anyone is closest to a cure. There are certainly interesting research being done at several sites including University of Washington, Illinois, and Florida.
Definitely talk to your doctor about your medication allergies. There are three types of anti virals that you could take - Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, and Famiciclovir. I'm not sure of how you would react to these - only a doctor would be able to tell you.
Recommended
