Although many people take the drug few understand why it works. Of the two prescription drugs approved by the FDA to treat or prevent herpes simplex HSV outbreaks 1 acyclovir is more commonly used 2.
Although acyclovir will not cure herpes it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores if any heal faster.
Does acyclovir work. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. Zovirax or acyclovir prevents the production of viruses by throwing a wrench into the viruses machinery for duplication or rather its ability to make new DNA. Acyclovir is an antiviral drug.
It is effective against viral infections that include. However it does not work in treating certain virus infections such as the common cold. Acyclovir a nucleoside analogue is the first successful antiviral medication and works well against most species in the herpesvirus family.
Herpes simplex viruses cause cold sores and genital herpes. It is comparatively more effective against HSV as compared to VZV. It helps the sores heal faster keeps new sores from forming and decreases pain itching.
Order safe and effective treatment for cold sores. Acyclovir is a synthetic purine nucleoside analogue with in vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus types 1 HSV-1 2 HSV-2 and varicella-zoster virus VZV. This treats the symptoms of your infection.
It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus in the body. However this drug doesnt cure herpes infections. As an antiviral agent acyclovir prevents viruses within the body from multiplying.
Acyclovir works against various simplex virus including varicella-zoster virus VZV types 2 HSV-2 and type 1 HSV-1. How Does Acyclovir Work. The biochemistry of how these drugs work is fascinating.
Acyclovir is used for the treatment of cold sores fever blisters genital herpes and Bells palsy. Hallucinations psychosis encephalopathy seizures coma leukopenia thrombocytopenia angioedema anaphylaxis erythema multiforme steven johnson syndrome toxic epidermal necrolysis tissue necrosis hepatitis renal failure ttp nausea vomiting diarrhea headache malaise dizziness arthralgia confusion photosensitivity. While valacyclovir isnt a cure for herpes it can help to treat the physical symptoms of HSV-1 and HSV-2.
It will not cure herpes but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection. Side effects of zovirax can include. Acyclovir works by lowering the ability of the herpes virus to multiply in your body.
Aciclovir triphosphate acts as an inhibitor of and substrate for the herpes specified DNA polymerase preventing further viral DNA synthesis. Acyclovir may also be used for other virus infections as determined by your doctor. Answered on May 10 2015 3 doctors agree Send thanks to the doctor.
This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal. Acyclovir has different mechanisms to prevent herpes virus from spreading or multiplying. The inhibitory activity of acyclovir is highly selective due to is affinity for the enzyme thymidine kinase TK encoded by HSV.
When a virus like herpes simplex becomes too strong it can cause a cold sore flare up. Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses such as genital herpes cold sores shingles and chickenpox. Aciclovir works by preventing viruses from multiplying and this reduces the severity of the infection and stops it from spreading.
In infected cells HSV or VZV coded thymidine kinase facilitates the conversion of aciclovir to aciclovir monophosphate which is then converted to aciclovir triphosphate by cellular enzymes. It is not used to remedy canker sores because they are not caused by HSV. The drug will also reduce the severity of the outbreak and can speed up the healing time.
Valacyclovir commonly sold as Valtrex is one of the most widely used and effective drugs on the market for treating and controlling cold sores shingles and genital herpes. As well as treating infections aciclovir can also be prescribed to prevent some viral infections from occurring.
