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Taking acyclovir daily for recurrent HSV-2 flares
I was diagnosed with HSV-2 almost 20 years ago. I was having a flare every now and then and was prescribed acyclovir 400 mg 3 times daily for 5 days. For the past couple of years, I have had about 11-12 flares per year. I am aware that stress is my trigger. My doctor is now saying that I should take acyclovir every day from here on out. I feel uncertain about this. I have tried to remain calm and stress-free; however, the virus seems to be getting worse and not better. I've already had 2 flares this year and it's only 13 days in. Just wondering if there are others who take acyclovir on a daily basis and if there are any issues with doing so.
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Well, stress has certainly been our constant companion these past 2 years, so I guess increased episodes should not be a surprise. Here is what Mayo Clinics have to say about long-term Acyclovir. I guess I am lucky that I only need it a couple of times each year.
I am only speculating here, but if you have taken it so often without serious side effects, it should probably be okay. Just be sure to mention it if any new medications are prescribed for you.
Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor?
Sue
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2 ReactionsI was told by an immunologist in Boston that as you get older you can have more flares. Never heard of that but I also have MGUS so my immune system is weaker. I took it daily for over a year, no issues. I recently stopped taking it because when I was traveling and didn’t have it with me I noticed my dry eye condition significantly improved. I did have a flare shortly after I stopped it, so taking one day at a time right now.
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2 ReactionsI was Dx'd with HSV-2 more than 31 years ago (1995) and went on a daily maintenance dose of ZOVIRAX 400mg TiD. I have remained on this regimen ever since, and have not had subsequent outbreaks. However, I suspect I have a strange chronic systemic viral syndrome that includes generalised inflammation, sinus congestion, mild lung congestion, occasional itchy dermatitis, and variable episodes of 'brain fog', etc. Whether these diffuse symptoms are 'side effects' of the ZOVIRAX is debatable, but I am about to ease off on the ZOVIRAX (with the goal of stopping it altogether, after receiving primary care physician approval). Unfortunately, the deplorable state of modern 'managed' healthcare in America is such that HMOs are not much interested in investigating a patient's etiology as in prescribing pills. Given the 'run-em-in, run-em-out' HMO routine (Kaiser, United Healthcare, Blue Cross, et al) , there's little incentive for major managed healthcare providers to take possible etiological concerns into consideration, when presented with a situation such as this. [I speak as a retired medical technologist, who studied healthcare systems on a graduate level, so I know a bit more about this sort of condition than most.]