How Much Is Genital Herpes Medication

When Is Preventive Treatment Considered

Some people have outbreaks of genital herpes very often or experience especially severe symptoms. Then it may be a good idea to take antiviral medication for a longer time including during symptom-free phases. The goal is to prevent further outbreaks and to keep the symptoms from becoming so severe. Also, the antiviral medication reduces the likelihood of infecting others. As preventive treatment, the WHO recommends the following:

• aciclovir: 400 mg two times per day,
• famciclovir: 250 mg two times per day or
• valaciclovir: 500 mg once per day.

Research shows that preventive treatment can considerably lower the risk of further outbreaks. The people participating had four or more herpes outbreaks per year before the start of the studies, and then took an antiviral medication or a fake treatment for up to one year. A comprehensive analysis of the study results shows that

• 96 out of 100 people who took a placebo had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.
• 46 out of 100 people who were given antiviral medication had at least one further outbreak of genital herpes.

In other words, the medication prevented further outbreaks in 50 out of 100 people within one year.

People with very frequent herpes outbreaks also benefited from preventive treatment: In one study involving people with very frequent outbreaks, the medication lowered the number of episodes in one year from 11 to 2.

Cost Of Herpes Treatment

Herpes are painful sores that usually appear around the mouth and lip area or around the genitals. The herpes simplex 1 virus usually causes cold sores around the mouth, while the herpes simplex 2 virus usually causes genital herpes, although both viruses may cause the herpes infection in both areas.

Treatment If The Blisters Come Back

Go to a GP or sexual health clinic if you have been diagnosed with genital herpes and need treatment for an outbreak.

Antiviral medicine may help shorten an outbreak by 1 or 2 days if you start taking it as soon as symptoms appear.

But outbreaks usually settle by themselves, so you may not need treatment.

Recurrent outbreaks are usually milder than the first episode of genital herpes.

Over time, outbreaks tend to happen less often and be less severe. Some people never have outbreaks.

Some people who have more than 6 outbreaks in a year may benefit from taking antiviral medicine for 6 to 12 months.

If you still have outbreaks of genital herpes during this time, you may be referred to a specialist.

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Is There Any Resistance To Genital Herpes Medication

Resistance to drugs that treat genital herpes even after 20 years of use is very rare. Herpes medications may not work as well in patients who are very immunosuppressed and have been treated with these drugs for a long time. Each individuals response to treatment may vary. In some cases, patients may need more drugs to suppress their viral outbreaks than others.

What To Expect During The First Outbreak

One of the first obvious signs of genital herpes can be the development of a cluster of lesions. These are blister-like sores or ulcers that appear on the skin.

They may appear on the:

• Unusual vaginal discharge

Blisters may burst open and leave behind sores that can be painful. These may take a week or longer to crust over and heal.

The first outbreak of genital herpes is often the worst. Later outbreaks are often shorter in duration and less severe.

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How Should I Take Valacyclovir Tablets

• Take valacyclovir tablets exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your dose of valacyclovir tablets and length of treatment will depend on the type of herpes infection that you have and any other medical problems that you have.
• Do not stop valacyclovir tablets or change your treatment without talking to your healthcare provider.
• Valacyclovir tablets can be taken with or without food.If you are taking valacyclovir tablets to treat cold sores, chickenpox, shingles or genital herpes, you should start treatment as soon as possible after your symptoms start. Valacyclovir tablets may not help you if you start treatment too late.
• If you miss a dose of valacyclovir tablets, take it as soon as you remember and then take your next dose at its regular time. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not take more than the prescribed number of valacyclovir tablets each day. Call your healthcare provider right away if you take too much valacyclovir tablets.

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Can Genital Herpes Be Treated

Your physician can prescribe different medications to help reduce your symptoms and speed up the healing of an outbreak. These medicines work best when you start them soon after an outbreak occurs.

To reduce pain during an outbreak:

• Sit in warm water in a portable bath or bathtub for about 20 minutes. Avoid bubble baths.
• Keep your genital area clean and dry, and avoid tight clothes.
• Take over-the-counter medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin.

Let your physician know if you are worried about your genital herpes. He or she can recommend a support group to help you cope with the virus.

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Compare Acyclovir Prices To Related Drugs

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Prescription drug prices often change. These are the most accurate medication prices at the time of publishing. The listed price without insurance references the price of brand-name drugs. The listed SingleCare price references the price of generic drugs if available. Click the link under Savings options to see updated drug prices.

How Common Is Genital Herpes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 40 million to 50 million adults in the United States have genital herpes. HSV II infection is more common in women and in people who have had more than five sexual partners. Most people with HSV II do not know they have it, because it does not always cause symptoms.

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How Often Do Outbreaks Occur

Recurrence of a genital herpes outbreak is common. For a person with genital herpes, the average number of outbreaks is four to five each year.

People who experience recurrent outbreaks may notice symptoms in the days to hours before lesions appear. These include:

• Pain in the genitals
• Tingling in the legs, buttocks, or hips
• Shooting pain in the legs, buttocks, or hips

For most people, recurrent outbreaks aren’t as severe as the first outbreak and won’t last as long. Over time, outbreaks that cause symptoms will decrease.

Is Genital Herpes Painful

While many people with the HSV virus experience no symptoms, when sores do develop, they can be painful.

Blisters around the area of infection can itch and tingle, and then turn into open sores when they are ulcerated. Some people also experience flu-like symptoms during their first outbreak, such as fever, muscle aches, headache and swollen lymph nodes in the groin.

Prescribed medication for genital herpes, such as aciclovir, valaciclovir and Valtrex, can help to manage the condition and ease symptoms. You may also use over the counter pain medication such as aspirin and ibuprofen.

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Do Condoms Help Prevent The Spread Of Genital Herpes

Yes. To prevent transmission of herpes, we recommend that condoms be used 100% of the time. Many patients will shed the virus and be contagious when they dont have symptoms. Studies have shown that asymptomatic shedding occurs between 1% and 3% of the time in patients with HSV II genital infections. Many new herpes infections occur from partners who are shedding the virus asymptomatically, so condoms are highly recommended.

Condoms may not be an attractive option for monogamous couples or for couples who desire to become pregnant. Couples may opt to have serological tests to determine if either partner has an asymptomatic infection. In close monogamous relationships, the risks of transmission can be weighed against other relationship issues, such as intimacy and pregnancy.

Are Antiviral Medications Safe

Antiviral medications are considered to be very safe. They are nearly always well tolerated because the active ingredients only have an effect in cells that have been infected by the virus.

People who have kidney failure may need to take a lower dose because the medication is removed from the body through the kidneys.

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When To Talk With A Doctor

Herpes isnt curable, but it can be treated with antiviral medications. These medications can reduce the severity of an outbreak.

If you suspect you have herpes, make an appointment with a doctor. Its also a good idea to talk with your doctor about a herpes screening if:

• your current or previous sexual partner has herpes
• youre planning to have sex with a new partner
• you had a risky sexual encounter

If youve already been diagnosed with herpes and youre currently experiencing an outbreak, the outbreak might go away without causing complications and without treatment.

However, its wise to make an appointment with your doctor if:

• the outbreak is particularly painful or unbearable
• youre experiencing symptoms of other STIs
• youre experiencing frequent, severe outbreaks

If youre sexually active, its a good idea to have regular STI screenings. You can book appointments for STI screenings with your doctors office. You could also try a local clinic, certain pharmacies, or Planned Parenthood.

Valacyclovir For The Treatment Of Genital Herpes: Important Safety Information

What is the most important information that I should know about valacyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes?

• Valacyclovir can be used as an Episodic Therapy or a Suppressive Therapy for the treatment of genital herpes:

• Episodic Therapy: This is when you take valacyclovir for an individual outbreak as it occurs. Typically, you would start valacyclovir within 1 day of noticing a genital lesion or at the first sign of any prodromal symptoms that precede some outbreaks. This type of therapy can shorten the time to healing of the herpes lesions.
• Suppressive Therapy: This is when you take valacyclovir on a daily basis. Suppressive therapy is often recommended for people who experience frequent or severe recurrences or those people who would like to reduce the risk of transmission to a sexual partner who does not have genital herpes.

Do not use valacyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes if you:

If any of the following conditions apply to you, please speak with a healthcare provider in-person about seeking treatment for your genital herpes:

• Difficulty passing urine or blood in the urine

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Understanding Herpes With H Hunter Handsfield Md

Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention. See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV.com.

Have a question about herpes youd like Dr. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Visit our Ask the Experts page to learn how.

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Is There Anything I Can Do To Relieve The Symptoms Myself

In some women, genital herpes blisters cause pain when urinating . Many of them find it soothing to pee while sitting in warm, shallow water . You can do this using special tubs that fit into toilet bowls. They are available at a reasonable price, for instance from pharmacies or on the internet. It’s best not to use soaps or bath additives because they can irritate the affected area even more. Other things you can do to avoid irritating it further include wearing loose-fitting clothes and underwear made out of fabrics that have a smooth surface.

Painkillers such as ibuprofen are an option if the blisters become very painful.

Topical antiviral treatments such as creams or ointments don’t provide any relief, but they can increase the risk of viral resistance. Experts advise against using topical treatments for genital herpes.

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Usual Adult Dose For Herpes Simplex

Treatment of First Episode of Genital Herpes:200 mg orally every 4 hours 5 times a day for 10 days 400 mg orally 3 times a day for 5 to 10 days Severe Disease or Complications Requiring Hospitalization:5 mg/kg IV every 8 hours for 5 days 5 to 10 mg/kg IV every 8 hours for 2 to 7 days or until clinical improvement is observed, followed by oral antiviral therapy to complete at least 10 days of total therapy Episodic Therapy: Effective treatment requires therapy initiation within 1 day of lesion onset or during the prodrome preceding an episode/recurrence200 mg orally every 4 hours 5 times a day for 5 days 400 mg orally 3 times a day for 5 days OR 800 mg orally 2 times a day for 5 days OR 800 mg orally 3 times a day for 2 days

How Much Does Treatment Cost Without Insurance

You will be unable to get ahold of HSV 2 medication without a test showing that you have the disease. These tests can be purchased online for $70-100.

After you have a positive test result to show to a doctor, the medications they can prescribe to you vary in price. For example, a tube of Zovirax cream is around $800. fValtrex usually costs between $200 and $500 for 30 pills, depending on the dosage. Famvir costs around $35 for a supply of 30 125mg pills.

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Are There Any Side Effects

Herpes medications do have side effects, although, in general, most patients are willing to put up with these side effects to end their genital herpes outbreaks as quickly as they can. These side effects include: headaches, gas, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea, rashes and tingly sensations of the skin. These side effects are fairly consistent for all of the available herpes medications.

Genital Warts Vs Herpes

Human papillomavirus – the virus which causes genital warts – and herpes, are both common STIs.

HPV is more common than herpes, and it is understood that nearly all sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their life. Both viruses have the potential to cause genital lesions, and they can also both present without any symptoms. For this reason, it can be hard for some people to tell which one they have.

While genital warts and herpes can both be passed on via sex, the sores have different causes, and different treatments. In general, the symptoms of herpes are more painful. Using condoms can significantly reduce your risk of both genital warts and herpes.

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If I Have Sex With Someone Who Has Herpes Will I Get It

It is possible to contract herpes from someone who has the virus, regardless of whether they are experiencing an outbreak or not. Someone who has genital herpes is most contagious when an outbreak is about to begin, during an outbreak, or shortly after one has finished. The chances of contracting or passing on herpes are lower in between outbreaks, but there is still a chance of contracting the virus, even though symptoms may not be present.

What Does Genital Herpes Look Like

Genital Herpes generally is asymptomatic, but in some cases when the symptoms start to appear, it is referred to as outbreaks. These are present in the form of clusters of sores or blisters which are itchy and painful. They appear as sacs that are fluid-filled and of different sizes. Occurring at different places, they eventually bleed or secrete a white-colored fluid.

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Articles Ongenital Herpes Treatment

• Future Treatments

Scientists have studied alternative treatments, like herbal extracts and nutritional supplements, based on some genital herpes patients’ claims that they help relieve symptoms. Some study results have been promising, others discouraging.

Many people say that an extract of the echinacea plant helps boost the immune system’s ability to fight the genital herpes infection. Some say it decreases the frequency and severity of genital herpes outbreaks. Researchers in the U.K. compared the effect of echinacea with that of a placebo. They gave echinacea to 50 people with genital herpes for six months and a placebo for another six months. There was no significant difference in the number of herpes outbreaks during the two periods.

Another study showed that an ointment containing propolis, a waxy substance that honeybees make, may help genital herpes sores heal. Sores healed faster for people using the propolis ointment than in those using ointments containing the antiviral drug acyclovir or a placebo. The ointment was applied to herpes sores four times a day. After 10 days, 24 of the 30 people using propolis ointment said their sores healed, compared with 14 of the 30 people using acyclovir ointment and 12 of the 30 using a placebo.

Researchers have also found that the herb Prunella vulgaris, and an edible mushroom, Rozites caperata , contain chemicals that fight both the oral herpes virus and the genital herpes virus .

How Does Genital Herpes Spread

Herpes can be spread when an infected person has lesions blisters and open sores on their body or when you do not have any symptoms. Taking antiviral medicine can help you reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to your sexual partners. You can also:

• Inform your sexual partner that you have genital herpes.
• Use a condom every time you have sex.
• Refrain from having sex when you have symptoms.
• Abstain from performing oral sex if you have blisters or open sores around your mouth.

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