Acyclovir
What is Acyclovir?
Acyclovir is the active ingredient in the trademarked drug Zovirax, and is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella (chickenpox), herpes zoster (shingles), and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes. Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus.
Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body.
How Should It Be Used?
Acyclovir is traditionally taken orally and comes in a tablet, a capsule, or a suspension (liquid). It is usually taken with or without food two to five times a day for 5 to 10 days, starting as soon as possible after your symptoms begin. When acyclovir is used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes (HSV-1), it is taken two to five times a day for up to 12 months. Acyclovir is a prescription medication and should be used with caution, taking care to follow the instructions given by your doctor. Taking an increased dosage or using the medicine for a longer period of time will not speed recovery or help prevent outbreaks.
Use of this product has been well documented to alleviate the symptoms of all forms of the herpes virus. If symptoms do not improve you should talk to your doctor. Also, Acyclovir operates much like an antibiotic would in your body. It is important to take the entire prescription as directed even if your symptoms lessen or disappear before the treatment is completed.
Other Uses
Acyclovir is sometimes used to treat eczema (a skin infection also caused by the herpes virus.) In cases of HIV, Acyclovir can be used to treat and prevent herpes infections of the skin, eyes, nose, and mouth.
Benefits
Acyclovir is the tried and true treatment for the herpes virus. There is very little to debate at this point as to the effectiveness of the drug.
Drawbacks
Like any prescription drug, Acyclovir has known side effects that you would not find with the use of a natural substance. The list of potential side effects documented by the FDA is so long I decided not to include them on this page for sake of space. It is unlikely that you will experience most or even some of these side effects but the increased risk should give you a reason to think twice before using a prescription medication. In addition to the side effects, there is mounting evidence that long term use of the drug could lead to resistant strains of the herpes virus.
Conclusion
It is hard to argue with decades of scientific research into the treatment of herpes. As I said, this is the tried and trusted remedy for both symptoms of herpes and the virus itself. There is a lot of evidence showing the effectiveness of this product that you will not find with any other treatment. Weigh the financial and health risks and benefits carefully before deciding.