Treatment
How is genital herpes    treated?
What are your treatment    options?
Safety and tolerability

Did you know…

there’s more than one way to manage genital herpes. Talk to your doctor about all of the options available and choose the one that best suits your own personal concerns and needs.

Choose a Treatment That's
Right for You

How is genital herpes treated?

Oral antiviral medications [?], which can only be prescribed by a doctor, can help reduce symptoms, heal sores faster, lessen viral shedding [?] and help prevent outbreaks before they happen.  One oral antiviral medication has also been proven to reduce the risk of transmission.1

Like all medications, oral antiviral agents have side effects which you should discuss with your doctor before using (see Safety and tolerability).

Topical antiviral medications, which are applied directly to the site of the infection, are sometimes used to help manage an initial outbreak of genital herpes infection. "There is no evidence or indication to support the use of these medications for recurrent episodes or suppressive therapy.”2

References

 

1. Valtrex® (valacyclovir hydrochloride) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., May 2006.

2. Aoki FY. Canadian Guidelines on Sexually Transmitted Infections 2006 Edition: Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections. Public Health Agency of Canada http://phac-aspc.gc.ca/std-mts/sti_2006/pdf_2006_e.html. Accessed May 15,2006.

3. Corey L, Wald A, Patel R, et al. Once-Daily Valacyclovir to Reduce the Risk of Transmission of Genital Herpes. NEJM 2004;350(1):11-20.

4. Famvir® (famciclovir) Product Monograph. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc., January 20044.

5. Zovirax® Oral (acyclovir) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., March 2007.

6. Zovirax Cream (acyclovir) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., June 2002.

7. Zovirax Ointment 5% (acyclovir) Product Monograph. GlaxoSmithKline Inc., July 2001.
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