Common Antiviral Drugs

by Marie | Jul 9, 2020 | Antiviral | 0 comments

Antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks of herpes, but do not cure herpes. Daily use of antiviral drugs such as Acivir and Valcivir 500 can reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to partners. Treatment with antiviral medications can help people with herpes infection outbreaks and help them to stay symptom-free for longer. These drugs are extremely beneficial in reducing the severity and duration of the symptoms. Drug therapy is not a cure for herpes, but it can make life easier for those who are dealing with the flare-ups.

The most effective and safe treatment options for herpes infections include Acivir and Valcivir. These are available in the form of pills and are effective against mild to moderate cases of herpes. Severe cases may require intravenous administration of acyclovir. One of the most widely used antiviral drug to treat herpes is acyclovir. The tablets are less expensive and must be taken once daily. Patients should begin taking the medication immediately and follow all the directions provided by the doctor. One should complete the course of medication to prevent resistance to the drug. Antiviral drugs effectively prevent recurrent infection. While receiving antiviral therapy to fight against the viral infection, it is important to drink plenty of fluids because the absorption of the medicines takes place in the kidneys.

Health experts advised you to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, but some people may need more fluids. Your doctor may ask you to take your antiviral drug with food to avoid an upset stomach. Topical antiviral medications such as Acivir cream and Herpex cream are also available for patients dealing with cold sores and blisters. Regular application speeds up healing and reduces symptom such as pain, tingling, and burning sensation. Individuals with genital herpes may develop sore and blisters on the membranes of the genitals or sometimes around the opening of the rectum.

What type of treatments for Genital Herpes are available?

If you develop sores after you diagnosed with the herpes infection, you may receive an antiviral treatment of 7 to 10 days to relive them or to prevent worsening of the condition. Your doctor may ask you to take the drug for a longer duration in case sores do not heal.

After the initial treatment, your doctor will discuss the symptoms and complications associated with the infections to find the best dose of an antiviral drug for you. You may get an antiviral drug to keep in case you experience a flare-up of symptoms. The antiviral treatment is termed as intermittent therapy. If this is the case with you, your doctor may ask you to take the pills for two to five days just after you notice the sores. Sore will heal faster and disappear after some time.

If you have frequent outbreaks, your health care specialist may ask you to take the antiviral medication daily. Health experts call this antiviral therapy as suppressive treatment. The treatment helps to reduce the number of outbreaks in individuals dealing with herpes infection. Clinical trials show people using antiviral agents daily have no outbreaks at all. If you have outbreaks often, your doctor will decide when to start the suppressive therapy. He/she will consider various factors, including how often you experience outbreaks and if they are severe enough to affect your daily life.

Taking the antiviral drug daily or suppressive therapy may help to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to a sex partner. These medicines are effective in preventing the multiplication of the virus in the body. Studies show that drugs such as Valcivir and Acivir 400mg may help protect sex partners from being infected with the herpes infection. However, it is important to use a condom to follow safe sex rules during the treatment.