Genital herpes episodic therapy

Episodic therapy for recurrent genital herpes 400 mg 3 times/day or 200 mg 5 times/day for 5 days. 

Genital herpes Acyclovir is not a cure for genital herpes. There are no data evaluating whether acyclovir will prevent transmission of infection to others. Avoid contact with lesions, or avoid intercourse when lesions and/or symptoms are present to prevent infecting partners. Genital herpes can also be transmitted in the absence of symptoms. Initiate therapy at the first sign or symptom of an episode. 

Genital herpes (recurrent episodes) 125 mg twice daily for 5 days. Initiate therapy at the first sign or symptom if medical management of a genital herpes recurrence is indicated. 

Oral acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir are the treatments of choice for outpatients with first-episode genital herpes. Treatment does not prevent latency or alter the subsequent frequency and severity of recurrences. Continuous oral antiviral therapy reduces the frequency and the severity of recurrences in 70% to 90% of patients experiencing frequent recurrences. Acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir have been used to prevent reactivation of infection in patients seropositive for HSV who undergo transplantation procedures or induction chemotherapy for acute leukemia. 

Of the agents available for treatment, acyclovir has had the longest period of use and has not demonstrated an increased risk of birth defects with first-trimester use. More data will need to be collected to strengthen the safety data. Both valacyclovir and famciclovir are newer, and data on safety are more limited. Most women will receive oral acyclovir therapy for first episodes of genital herpes or with recurrence. Intravenous acyclovir can be used for severe infections. 

Corey L, Benedetti J, Critchlow C, Mertz G, Douglas J, Fife K, Fahnlander A, Remington ML, Winter C, Dragavon J (1983) Treatment of primary first-episode genital herpes simplex virus infeetions with aeyelovir results of topical, intravenous and oral therapy. J Antimicrob... 

---