Herpes is a contagious viral infection that moves into the nervous system to cause recurrent outbreaks interspersed with dormant periods. Herpes comes in two strains, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 typically infects the mouth and lips, while HSV-2 infects the genitals, but either strain can occur in either place or, less often, in the eye or on the skin. Antiviral medications can help lessen the incidence of outbreaks and make outbreaks less severe, but as of 2010 there is no cure for the infection.
Acyclovir
Acyclovir is available by prescription only. It is sold as an oral pill and can be safely used for 10 years or more. Individuals who take acyclovir may choose to take it episodically, at the start of each new outbreak, or suppressively, on a daily basis to try and prevent outbreaks from occurring in the first place. The drug reduces the incidence of recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes by up to 75 percent and reduces shedding of the virus by 94 percent when taken twice daily, according to the Herpes Resource Center. The typical dosage for acyclovir is 200 mg taken five times a day or 400 mg taken two to three times daily for about 10 days. A topical acyclovir ointment sold as Zovirax is used to treat oral herpes outbreaks. Acyclovir may also be given via an IV to infected newborns. In extremely rare cases, herpes may become resistant to acyclovir.
Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir is sold as Valtrex and is actually just a more efficient form of acyclovir. Since it lasts longer in the body than acyclovir, it can be taken less frequently and still have the same effect. Valacyclovir can be used for episodic or suppressive therapy for genital herpes, and a typical dose is 500 or 1,000 mg taken once or twice every day for seven to 10 days. It may also be used to treat episodes of oral herpes if ingested as two doses of 2 g each taken 12 hours apart. Valacyclovir has similar effectiveness to acyclovir, according to the Herpes Resource Center.
Penciclovir
Penciclovir is available in a topical cream for use on oral herpes sores, also known as cold sores. It is sold under the brand name Denavir. According to Merck Manuals, using penciclovir every two hours while awake can shorten a cold sore outbreak by about one day.
Famciclovir
Famciclovir is an prescription-based oral form of penciclovir sold as Famvir. Famciclovir should be taken within six hours of the start of a recurrent herpes outbreak. One course of the drug consists of two pills taken during a single day. As suppressive therapy to prevent outbreaks, it may also be taken twice a day for up to a year, explains PubMed Health.
Topical Anesthetics
Topical anesthetics may also be used to ease painful outbreaks. These may be available either with or without a prescription, and include tetracaine cream and benzocaine ointment.
