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The standard, effective and specific treatment for herpes is antiviral therapy, which is usually in a tablet form.

These medications are normally only prescribed for cold sores if the case is particularly severe or frequent, otherwise Zovirax cream is prescribed. Herpes medications in a tablet or capsule form are more commonly prescribed for genital herpes.

These medications include Valtrex, Famvir, and Acyclovir.  All of these drugs have a similar mode of action and help to stop HSV from replicating inside the body.

All of these treatments are manufactured by the pharmaceutical company, GlaxoSmithKline, except for Famvir which is produced by Novartis (also a leading pharmaceutical company).

The difference between all of these drugs often relates to the concentration of the active ingredient and the frequency in which they need to be taken. For example, many people prefer Valtrex over Acyclovir because you need to take it less often to get the same result.  However, it is usually much more expensive and is not always covered by insurance.

Herpes Prescription Medications can be used in 2 ways:

1. Episodic - the tablets are taken only when and if an outbreak happens.
   
   Known as “episodic” treatment, the aim is to shorten the time each outbreak lasts for and to relieve the active symptoms. If you are coping well and your outbreaks are not too frequent, you and your doctor may agree that episodic treatment is the most appropriate option.


2. Suppressive - the tablets are taken everyday to prevent or delay recurrent outbreaks.
   
   If your recurrent outbreaks are frequent or severe your doctor may recommend that you take oral antiviral medication every day to help prevent outbreaks happening. “Suppressive” therapy is taken continuously, e.g. daily, for months or even years, but is normally very effective in helping to prevent recurrences.

These treatments only work while you are taking them and cannot prevent future outbreaks once you stop taking the drug.

Herpes Prescription Medications can:

1. Shorten the duration of a herpes outbreak and help speed healing
2. Reduce the number of outbreaks suffered - or prevent them completely (if taken everyday)
3. Help to prevent transmission by reducing viral shedding (if taken every day)

These medical drugs are synthetically made and their usage should be very strictly monitored.  It is important to contact you health care provider for professional guidance.

Where to Now?

1. Herpes Treatment Alternatives
2. How to Prevent Transmission
3. Diet and Nutrition with Herpes

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