ACYCLOVIR - Have you tried it?

[Angela]

Acyclovir Comments

Angela

[Angela]

Anybody?

[justme2]

I'm on acyclovir suppressive therapy now - two times a day. I am not sure if I even need to be on suppressive therapy but it is making me feel better emotionally right now, so I take it...I just had a scare where I thought I autoinnoculated myself, even though the chances of this are rare due to the fact that I have had herpes for almost as long in my life as I have not. 17/16

My thoughts on acyclovir are that it works well. It makes an outbreak heal more quickly than without anything at all. It is cheaper than Valtrex and therefore the more likely treatment due to my situation.

I personally believe that acyclovir works better when taken without food, or with minimal food. This is my personal opinion from taking it over the years, although during the first couple of days this may not be possible due to slight nausea.

When I was pregnant with my first child, they prescribed acyclovir as a suppression in the last month of my pregnancy - Valtrex wasn't around back then. This worked fine and I was able to have natural childbirth.

My second pregnancy I took Valtrex. This also worked fine - and I had my second natural childbirth.


During my first few years of outbreaks, they would give me the cream. I always thought the cream helped. Sometimes I would run out of refills on pills and just use the cream for outbreaks. It seemed to help me. I always wondered why they stopped prescribing it.

I guess recent research has shown that it gets less effective after you have had the virus for a while???? Not sure.

[luv2dancebas]

Unfortunately I can't offer any opinion on the subject of acyclovir. I was prescribed Valtrex for my primary outbreak and have been on it for suppressive therapy as well.

[Angela]

I guess recent research has shown that it gets less effective after you have had the virus for a while???? Not sure.

I've not heard of that.. unless you are talking about the cream which is totally useless. I don't even know why they continue to make the cream.

Thanks for offering up your feedback on Acyclovir. That is much appreciated!

Angela

[wannabhsvfree]

It's USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Angela]

It's USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's useless?

Angela

[Buckeye]

Actually,I think the cream helps...could it be the strain of HSV that makes the difference? I have HSV 1 genitally...
I talked with a pharmacist this morning who suggested the ointment rather than the cream in the genital area as it wouldn't come off as easily when going to the bathroom, etc....
I plan to call my doctor on Monday for an appointment anyway and plan to ask her about it then...

[Angela]

I guess if you are trying to add something to the skin to curb the pain that could be associated with the lesion I could see that.. I just don't understand the point of using the cream if you are taking an oral antiviral. I think it's much better to keep the area clean and dry. But that's just me..

Angela

[wannabhsvfree]

It's USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's useless?

Angela

Acyclovir

[Angela]

It's USELESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's useless?

Angela

Acyclovir

Acyclovir OR Acyclovir Cream?

It's the Acyclovir Cream that is useless.. not the Acyclovir pills. The acyclovir pills are very effective in treating herpes simplex virus. In fact, Acyclovir is clinically proven effective against HSV.

I'm really shocked that you would say acyclovir is useless!?

[biancababy7]

I have tried it.
I thought i had an outbreak. whether it works is a mystery to me.
wish i could help further.

[Angela]

I have tried it.
I thought i had an outbreak. whether it works is a mystery to me.
wish i could help further.

The acyclovir antivirals OR the acyclovir cream?

Angela

[biancababy7]

anti-virals.
i have never tried the cream.
i didnt like that i was supposed to take 5 a day.

[Angela]

anti-virals.
i have never tried the cream.
i didnt like that i was supposed to take 5 a day.

Acyclovir works just as well as Famvir OR Valtrex. In fact, it's what Valtrex winds up turning into in the end.

In any case.. any of the clinically proven herpes antivirals work GREAT for people that have herpes and get outbreaks.

For those that have trouble with one usually do better with another.

I'm still at a loss for why one of our moderators would say that acyclovir doesn't work.

Hello?

Angela

[wannabhsvfree]

Before I started Acyclovir as my chosen form of suppressive therapy I had never had a outbreak. I used to take various vitamins and herbs that work on building the immune system. Once I finally went to the doctor and got Acyclovir I stopped taking the v & h. Within a week I had my very first outbreak . It was a on going event for the next couple of months too . I know that I didnt do anything differently except that I stopped taking the v & h. So once I started taking the v & h again ALONG with the Acyclovir I havent had a outbreak .

I still take the Acyclovir because my guy doesnt have HSV and we plan on keeping it that way . I know that v & h will not reduce the transmission rate so that is why I take Acyclovir. I'm sure some people will say it is a coincidence about the whole outbreak thing. All I know is this works for ME. I DONT WANT ANYONE TO MISUNDERSTAND WHAT I SAID ABOUT V & H AND THINK IT IS A FORM OF SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY BECAUSE IT IS NOT, NOR IS PURELL OR TEA TREE OIL. I just found something that helps ME remain outbreak free.

I'm sure there are alot of people on here that uses Acyclovir and have excellent results. I was just one of the unfortunate ones. I sure the same thing is true for Valtrex users as well. I hope this will clear up any misunderstandings.

[Angela]

Thank you for explaining where you are coming from.

I didn't want people to see this thread and think that Acyclovir is useless.

Angela

[wannabhsvfree]

I understand what you are saying. I hope that people wont get confused as to what I was saying. I said it as plainly as I could.

[Angela]

I understand what you are saying. I hope that people wont get confused as to what I was saying. I said it as plainly as I could.

Not in the beginning you didn't.

I'm glad that you came back and clarified where you were coming from.

Angela

[wannabhsvfree]

I was kinda vague in this thread but in others I broke it down better for people to understand.

[Angela]

I was kinda vague in this thread but in others I broke it down better for people to understand.

Thank You!

[lvlytxtchr]

I currently use acyclovir. I have no complaints. I know that a lot of people are turned off by it b/c of the 5 times a day dosage. But after getting advice from a nurse who also has had HSV 1 and 2 for over 20 years, I finally found an easier dosage for myself. My dr writes a prescription for 400 mg 2x a day for supressive therapy. Now, if I ever wanted to just treat my outbreaks as they come I would just take: 400 mg 3x a day for 5 days or 4 at a time 3x/day for 2 days to help speed healing of an ob. The ways I metioned treat herpes outbreaks just like the typical 5x a day and so forth.

Also, you can take two pills at a time if you have to get the 200 mg pills. It is perfectly alright.

I like acyclovir so far. I also like the price. I pay between $1-$10 a month w/ my insurance and if you don't have insurance its still about $4-$20 at Wal-Mart for sure and most other pharmacies.

I also use acyclovir along with tea tree oil and it seems to be helping.

[Angela]

I also use acyclovir along with tea tree oil and it seems to be helping.

I'm glad that Acyclovir is working out for you.

[apcc72409]

During my first outbreak I was prescribed Acyclovir.

I was told to take 3, 400mg pills each day.

As everyone here knows, outbreak are extremely painful. Especially the first one.

Personally, Acyclovir made my outbreak, if possible, worse.
It hurt more after the treatment than it did before I started taking it.

So I took matters into my owns hands (I do NOT recommend that for ANYONE) and started taking 5, 400mg pills a day.

And I started healing very quickly. The pain subsided and I was able to go back to my regular routine within 3-4 days.

I think it's about finding the right amount of Acyclovir for your body, but everyone is different, so I would talk to your doctor about dosage and/or other medications, but if you are looking for an anti-viral medication I would highly suggest Acyclovir.

(I have only had one outbreak since my first, but always keep Acyclovir around just in case. I credit it with my lack of outbreaks.)

[Angela]

I believe that some doses do work better than other doses for different people.

I think if I had been in your shoes I probably would have done the same thing.

Thanks for sharing!

Angela