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Admissions Requirements. Degree Programs. Research Faculty. International Patients. Financial Services. Community Health Needs Assessment. The dosage of antiviral used to treat genital herpes can vary depending on whether this is your first outbreak or a recurrence.

The dosage is also adjusted if used to prevent a recurrence. The Centers for Disease Control CDC issued the following dosing schedule—in grams g and milligrams mg —for adults with primary genital herpes.

The CDC issued the following dosing schedule for adults with recurrent genital herpes. The CDC issued the following dosing schedule for daily suppressive therapy.

Preventing genital herpes recurrence is important as it reduces the risk of HIV. Some people use natural therapies to treat herpes, either on their own or to support standard medical care. The research supporting their use is generally weak, with little evidence that they can reduce either the severity or duration of an outbreak.

Even so, many people swear by their effectiveness and consider them a vital part of managing herpes outbreaks.

Complementary and alternative therapies sometimes used to treat herpes include:. There is no cure for herpes, but you can manage outbreaks with at-home treatments and over-the-counter medications that can help ease pain.

Antiviral drugs directly treat herpes infections and may help reduce the severity or duration of an outbreak. This includes Abreva docosanol , a topical antiviral available over the counter, and prescriptions antivirals like Zovirax acyclovir and Valtrex valacyclovir.

Antivirals can also be taken on a daily basis to prevent outbreaks in people with frequent recurrences. Complementary and alternative therapies are sometimes used to treat oral or genital herpes, but there is little clinical evidence to support their use. The key to successfully treating any herpes outbreak is a timely response.

The sooner you recognize the signs and start treatment, the shorter and less severe the episode will likely be. For the best results, start treatment within 48 hours of the first appearance of symptoms. If your primary care provider is unable to see you, do not hesitate to get an antiviral prescription from a telehealth provider.

The visit may be partially or fully covered by insurance. If applied before a blister develops, it may reduce the duration of an outbreak to as few as two and a half days. Herpes viruses are treated with antivirals.

There are four prescription oral antivirals commonly used to treat oral or genital herpes:. All three oral antivirals are equally effective in reducing the severity and duration of a herpes outbreak.

However, some experts recommend Valtrex over Zovirax for treating genital herpes. Studies have shown that if started within 48 hours of the first appearance of lesions, antivirals can reduce the duration of oral herpes by one to two days.

Evidence on the benefits of complementary and alternative medicines for treating herpes is scant. However, several natural compounds have shown promise, including:. There have been some promising trials of herpes vaccines.

However, no human trials have proven effective enough to bring a vaccine to market. Oral antivirals heal herpes sores faster than other treatments. In fact, research shows oral antivirals cut the healing time in half.

For fastest healing, use antivirals at the first sign of an outbreak. Keep the area clean and dry and avoid picking or scratching sores. Genital herpes - self-care. Meize-Grochowski R, Shuster G, Boursaw B, et al. Mindfulness meditation in older adults with postherpetic neuralgia: a randomized controlled pilot study.

Geriatr Nurs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted infections treatment guidelines, genital herpes.

Arain N, Paravastu SC, Arain MA. Effectiveness of topical corticosteroids in addition to antiviral therapy in the management of recurrent herpes labialis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Infect Dis. Abreva—docosanol cream [drug label].

Mailoo VJ, Rampes S. Lysine for herpes simplex prophylaxis: a review of the evidence. Integr Med Encinitas. Femiclear for genital herpes—lemongrass and olive extract.

Sauerbrei A. Optimal management of genital herpes: current perspectives. Infect Drug Resist. Álvarez DM, Castillo E, Duarte LF, et al.

Current antivirals and novel botanical molecules interfering with herpes simplex virus infection. Front Microbiol. Denavir—penciclovir cream [drug label]. Xerese—acyclovir and hydrocortisone cream [drug label]. Zovirax acyclovir cream [drug label]. Sung SH, Choi GH, Lee NW, Shin BC.

External use of propolis for oral, skin, and genital diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Deethae A, Peerapornpisal Y, Pekkoh J, Sangthong P, Tragoolpua Y. Inhibitory effect of Spirogyra spp. algal extracts against herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infection.

J Appl Microbiol. Qi T, Lan H, Zhong C, et al. Systematic review and meta-analysis: the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture in the treatment of herpes zoster.

Ann Palliat Med. Pinder M, Wright A. Valaciclovir versus aciclovir for the treatment of primary genital herpes simplex: a cost analysis. Int J STD AIDS. Yip ST, Liu R, Warrington T, Webb CW, Hamilton A.

Clinical inquiry: How well do antivirals shorten genital herpes pain duration? J Fam Pract. Alvarez DM, Castillo E, Duarte LF, et al. Front Microbiol ; By Elizabeth Boskey, PhD Elizabeth Boskey, PhD, MPH, CHES, is a social worker, adjunct lecturer, and expert writer in the field of sexually transmitted diseases.

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Uses This medication contains 2 ingredients: acyclovir and hydrocortisone. How To Use Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start using this medication and each time you get a refill.

Do not apply this medication in the eyes or nose, inside the mouth, or on the genitals. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Precautions Before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir or hydrocortisone; or if you have any other allergies. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant before using this medication.

Drug Interactions Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. Overdose This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. Notes Do not share this medication with others. Doing so may spread the infection.

Missed Dose If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. Storage Store at room temperature. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

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Find Services and Resources If you are looking for health services in your community, you can use the HealthLinkBC Directory to find hospitals, clinics, and other resources. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor. Acyclovir cream and ointment are for use only on the skin.

Do not let acyclovir cream or ointment get into your eyes, or inside your mouth or nose, and do not swallow the medication. Acyclovir cream should only be applied to skin where a cold sore has formed or seems likely to form.

Do not apply acyclovir cream to any unaffected skin, or to genital herpes sores. Do not apply other skin medications or other types of skin products such as cosmetics, sun screen, or lip balm to the cold sore area while using acyclovir cream unless your doctor tells you that you should.

Ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy of the manufacturer's information for the patient. Read this information before you start using acyclovir and each time you refill your prescription. This medication may be prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Apply the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Do not apply extra cream or ointment to make up for a missed dose. Topical acyclovir may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, with the cap on and tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture not in the bathroom.

Never leave this medication in your car in cold or hot weather. Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet.

Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. If someone swallows topical acyclovir, call your local poison control center at If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at Do not let anyone else 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 Topical 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 Brand names of combination products Other names. To use acyclovir cream, follow these steps: Wash your hands. Clean and dry the area of skin where you will be applying the cream. Apply a layer of cream to cover the skin where the cold sore has formed or seems likely to form.

Rub the cream into the skin until it disappears. Leave the skin where you applied the medication uncovered. Do not apply a bandage or dressing unless your doctor tells you that you should. Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any cream left on your hands.

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Financial Assistance Documents — Florida. Financial Assistance Documents — Minnesota. Follow Mayo Clinic. What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products Other names. To use acyclovir cream, follow these steps: Wash your hands.

Clean and dry the area of skin where you will be applying the cream. Apply a layer of cream to cover the skin where the cold sore has formed or seems likely to form. Rub the cream into the skin until it disappears. Leave the skin where you applied the medication uncovered. Do not apply a bandage or dressing unless your doctor tells you that you should.

Wash your hands with soap and water to remove any cream left on your hands. Be careful not to wash the cream off of your skin.

Do not bathe, shower, or swim right after applying acyclovir cream. Avoid irritation of the cold sore area while using acyclovir cream. To use acyclovir ointment, follow these steps: Put on a clean finger cot or rubber glove.

Apply enough ointment to cover all of your sores. Take off the finger cot or rubber glove and dispose of it safely, so that it is out of reach of children.

Keep the affected area s clean and dry, and avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing over the affected area. Other uses for this medicine. What special precautions should I follow? Before using topical acyclovir, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir, valacyclovir Valtrex , any other medications, or any of the ingredients in acyclovir cream or ointment.

Ask your pharmacist for a list of the ingredients. Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had any condition that affects your immune system such as human immunodeficiency virus HIV or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome AIDS.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while using acyclovir, call your doctor. Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet. Topical acyclovir may cause side effects.

Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: dry or cracked lips flaky, peeling, or dry skin burning or stinging skin redness, swelling, or irritation in the place where you applied the medication Some side effects can be serious.

If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately: hives rash itching difficulty breathing or swallowing swelling of the face, throat, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs hoarseness Topical acyclovir may cause other side effects.

What other information should I know?