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Medications for Herpes Simplex

An infection caused by herpes viruses 1 or 2 -- which primarily affects the mouth or genital area.

Drugs used for Herpes Simplex

The following list of medications are in some way related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

Drug name Rating Reviews Activity ? Rx/OTC Pregnancy CSA Alcohol
acyclovir 7.9 93 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir systemic

Brand name:  Zovirax

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

valacyclovir 5.8 9 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: valacyclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zovirax Cream 9.3 4 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir topical

Drug class: topical antivirals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Abreva 4.5 419 reviews
OTC N N

Generic name: docosanol topical

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

acyclovir 8.6 14 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir topical

Brand names:  Zovirax Cream, Zovirax Ointment

Drug class: topical antivirals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph, Prescribing Information

Zovirax Ointment 8.7 3 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir topical

Drug class: topical antivirals

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

docosanol 4.6 430 reviews
OTC N N

Generic name: docosanol topical

Brand name:  Abreva

Drug class: topical anti-infectives

For consumers: dosage, side effects

For professionals: AHFS DI Monograph

Zovirax 7.4 7 reviews
Rx B N

Generic name: acyclovir systemic

Drug class: purine nucleosides

For consumers: dosage, interactions, side effects

For professionals: Prescribing Information

Blistex 10 1 review
OTC N N

Generic name: allantoin / camphor / phenol topical

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: side effects

allantoin / camphor / phenol 10 1 review
OTC N N

Generic name: allantoin / camphor / phenol topical

Brand name:  Blistex

Drug class: miscellaneous topical agents

For consumers: side effects

Topics under Herpes Simplex

Alternative treatments for Herpes Simplex

The following products are considered to be alternative treatments or natural remedies for Herpes Simplex. Their efficacy may not have been scientifically tested to the same degree as the drugs listed in the table above. However there may be historical, cultural or anecdotal evidence linking their use to the treatment of Herpes Simplex.

Learn more about Herpes Simplex

Care guides

Symptoms and treatments

Medicine.com guides (external)

Legend

Rating For ratings, users were asked how effective they found the medicine while considering positive/adverse effects and ease of use (1 = not effective, 10 = most effective).
Activity Activity is based on recent site visitor activity relative to other medications in the list.
Rx Prescription only.
OTC Over-the-counter.
Rx/OTC Prescription or Over-the-counter.
Off-label This medication may not be approved by the FDA for the treatment of this condition.
EUA An Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) allows the FDA to authorize unapproved medical products or unapproved uses of approved medical products to be used in a declared public health emergency when there are no adequate, approved, and available alternatives.
Pregnancy Category
A Adequate and well-controlled studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus in the first trimester of pregnancy (and there is no evidence of risk in later trimesters).
B Animal reproduction studies have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women.
C Animal reproduction studies have shown an adverse effect on the fetus and there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
D There is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience or studies in humans, but potential benefits may warrant use in pregnant women despite potential risks.
X Studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and/or there is positive evidence of human fetal risk based on adverse reaction data from investigational or marketing experience, and the risks involved in use in pregnant women clearly outweigh potential benefits.
N FDA has not classified the drug.
Controlled Substances Act (CSA) Schedule
M The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
U CSA Schedule is unknown.
N Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
1 Has a high potential for abuse. Has no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. There is a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.
2 Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
3 Has a potential for abuse less than those in schedules 1 and 2. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
4 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
5 Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 4. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 4.
Alcohol
X Interacts with Alcohol.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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