A friend was prescribed aciclovir & valaciclovir should both be taken?

[Friendtocuba]

A friend in Cuba was just diagnosed with genital Herpes....he was prescribed aciclovir and valaciclovir   both at 200mg  every 8 hours for 30 days.   From what I have read so far it seems that it is usually one or the other  not both.   He was able to obtain the aciclovir but not able to find valaciclovir anywhere in Cuba at this time...should the one be enough for the first outbreak...and perhaps controlling any future outbreaks should he use the valaciclovir??  Any insight would be helpful as I will try to obtain the meds that he can't get if he really needs them but it isn't easy without a prescription here in Canada.   Thanks in advance!

[gracefromHHP]

not sure why he is taking that dose. it's the wrong dose and you don't take them just for 30 days at a time.

forward the link to the free herpes handbook by Terri Warren that we talk about in our read before posting post on the forum to your friend. I think they'll benefit from reading it :)

[Friendtocuba]

Hi again Grace!   Well I managed to get the answers I needed from my friend...and he was able to obtain the aciclovir 200mg pills and is taking them every 8 hours for 30 days.. he will be speaking to his Doctor again to be sure but for now all seems to be under control.  Thanks again for your input!

[Friendtocuba]

Hi Grace,
thanks for your reply.   I am not completely sure about that...communications aren't always so good...I believe he was able to obtain the aciclovir 200mg pills....but I think he is confused (or panicked a little bit) and thinks he needs both...I had spoken with a Dr friend here who told me that  aciclovir & valaciclovir are basically the same so just one of them is more than sufficient.  I will try to get in touch with my friend in Cuba to be sure.  Thanks for your input!

[gracefromHHP]

there isn't a 200mg dose of valtrex.

are you sure it wasn't acyclovir cream and 500mg valtrex every 8?

grace