Antiviral drugs for herpes

Herpes infections are caused by viruses, so when treating these diseases it is advisable to take antiviral drugs. Herpes is manifested clinically in the form of small grouped itchy bubbles covering the skin and mucous membranes. There are several types of herpes that affect various areas of the body - lips, neck, nose, external genitalia, eyes, etc. It is also possible to defeat the herpes virus of the central nervous system.

Treatment of herpes

Typically, in mild cases and when relapses occur infrequently (up to twice a year), the body's immune system easily copes with the activated virus, suppressing its effect. Then it is enough to use for treatment only symptomatic medicines, antiseptics.

With frequent relapses, severe symptoms, it is recommended to use medications that help the body fight infection. These funds help to ease the course of the disease and somewhat accelerate recovery, as well as reduce the number of subsequent relapses of the disease. Use antiviral drugs for herpes should be in the acute stage.

Types of antiviral drugs for herpes

Antiviral drugs for the treatment of herpes are divided into local and systemic effects. They are produced in various forms: tablets, ointments, creams, solutions for injections, etc. Consider the drugs that are most often recommended by specialists with herpes infection:

  1. Acyclovir . This is the main antiviral drug for herpes, often prescribed as an ointment, cream and tablets. It is a relatively cheap and effective drug that depresses virtually all types of herpes virus. Acyclovir acts selectively, without affecting healthy cells. It also has an immunostimulating effect.
  2. Valaciclovir. It is an antiviral drug against herpes in the form of tablets, in the reception of which in most cases the manifestations of the virus and its biological activity are completely suppressed, and also the infection of other people is highly likely to be prevented. The remedy is active against all types of herpes virus that occur in humans.
  3. Penciclovir. This drug, as a rule, is used in relapsing simple herpes with localization on the face and lips. Produced in the form of an external means. The mechanism of action of penciclovir is identical to that of acyclovir, but penciclovir shows greater stability in the cell and has a longer effect.
  4. Famciclovir. This antiviral drug is an oral form of penciclovir. In addition to suppressing the main types of herpes virus, this agent is active against the recently isolated acyclovir resistant strain of herpes simplex virus.
  5. Tromantadine. An antiviral drug of local action, applied externally for diseases caused by herpes viruses 1 and 2 types. It was found that when the drug is exposed to During the first 2 - 3 hours from the onset of the disease, further development of the infection is stopped.
  6. Docosanol. A relatively new drug that is available for external use in the form of a cream. Docosanol is recommended, mainly for herpes lips. The exact mechanism of antiviral action of this drug is unclear, but it has a rather high efficiency.

The choice of the drug and treatment regimen should be carried out taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient. Precautions antiviral drugs for herpes are prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, elderly people and patients with chronic diseases.