There are a variety of forms of herpes medication available to those suffering with the disease. Although many choose conventional anti-viral drugs, more and more people are turning to natural alternatives to fight the symptoms of herpes outbreaks.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of many natural treatments for the virus , and these options are becoming a popular way to fight the virus and treat the symptoms. It's important to note that currently no form of drug or natural remedy can cure oral or genital herpes.
Most people who need to treat herpes do so on a daily basis, even if there are no indications of an outbreak. This form of treatment is known as a suppressant treatment, where a form or in some cases, several forms of herpes medicine is taken daily as a preventive measure against outbreaks. In most cases, the daily dose of medication eventually causes a significant decrease in the number of outbreaks that a person suffers.
Often, the initial outbreak is managed by taking several doses of the medication each day, but once the first outbreak clears up, doses are generally prescribed to be taken once daily. Since the medications do not rid the body of the virus , but strictly suppress its symptoms, it is often necessary that they be taken for the reminder of an infected person's life in order to reduce the occurrences of outbreaks, as well as decrease the chances of transmission of the virus from one person to another.
Some of the most widely used forms of herpes medication include Acyclovir, Famciclovir, and Valacyclovir . These drugs are known as antiviral agents, which greatly reduce the speed of reproduction in viruses. Each one of these medications attacks the virus in a different way.
Acyclovir can be taken orally, applied as a cream, or can be injected. It is the most common herpes medicine prescribed to treat the virus because of its ability to penetrate diseased and infected areas, as well as because of its lack of negative effects on healthy cells.
Famiciclovir becomes effective against the herpes virus once it reaches the viral enzyme, and it remains active in the system for a significantly longer time than Acyclovir. Unfortunately, it needs to be taken within six hours of the first signs of an outbreak to work efficiently, and it is not particularly effective against the herpes simplex two virus.
Valacyclovir becomes active when it reaches the liver and intestine where it then is released into the bloodstream which results in having to take doses of it less frequently than other herpes medications require. It should be taken sometime within the first twenty four hours of the initial signs of the outbreak to work effectively. A major drawback to it, however, is that it is known to sometimes cause blood clots in its users.
As far as alternative herpes medication , many natural supplements can be quite effective in controlling outbreaks. Some of the more promising ones include lysine, omega-3 fatty acids, anti-viral herbs, vitamins A, C, sulfur and zinc . Although all of these can be taken alone, natural treatments that include many of these ingredients blended together can have a significant effect on the duration and severity of outbreaks.
Talk to your doctor to figure out what herpes medicine is right for you. Some people respond well to conventional drugs, others to alternative therapies. Still others find that a combination of herpes medication works best for them. It's a matter of deciding what the ideal treatment for you is.