zovirax

[Cookie995]

Hey aj, my question is in two parts. I don't know if you'll have an answer but anything would help. First off, I was originally prescribed acyclovir 200 mg, 2 pills 3 times a day. I have a couple refills on it but the thought of always having to go to the doctor really depresses me and I'm scared to death of someone seeing me especially at the pharmacy. When my refills are out, I have been planning on ordering Zovirax online in the dosage prescribd by my doctor. I know this is probably advised against, but are there any risks in doing this? It would just help my peace of mind so much more. Also are side effects such as hair loss only a concern for long term suppressive therapy? Acyclovir seems to help but it seems like it would depress me even more if I lost hair or went bald because of it. One last question, does acyclovir cause concern in raising blood pressure. Thanks

[auntiejessi]

Its most likely a normal skin variation, and totally completely normal.

We have a good herpes forum here that you should check out.  There is no shame in having herpes - I do.  Its just a virus - its not a moral statement or a proof of worth.

Aj

[Cookie995]

thanks aj I really appreciate u helping me with questions I'm too embarassed to ask ppl I know. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and really hate myself for getting this disease so now I think I caused all these other serious things too. If you could give me insight on one more question I won't bother u anymore. About a year ago or so I noticed some red, kinda splotchy discolorations on my glans penis while bathing. I figured it was the heat but it still bothers me. It's there all the time but it seems so show more when I take a hot bath. It's not raised, painful or sensitive at all. Like I said earlier I'm a hypochondriac so when I noticed the color of my glans penis wasn't completely uniform I worried.
Something that should be noted is that I don't know how long it's been there cuz it's not painful and I only noticed bc having herpes made me just about study my penis for a while so who knows I couldve had it my whole life and never noticed. I know it's off subject and I don't know if u have an answer but anything would help. Thanks

[auntiejessi]

Oh and I should add that only oral herpes type 1 is a risk for Bell's Palsy.  Genital herpes is not a cause of it.

Aj

[auntiejessi]

There is a correlation, but Bell's Palsy isn't all that common.

There are only about 40,000 cases of it in the US each year, and there are millions and millions and gazillions of people in the US that have hsv1 (well over half of the population does).

So yes, its a possibility, but not something that is likely to happen.  Nothing to worry about.

Aj

[Cookie995]

this is completely off subject I know, but do u think there is cause for concern of getting bell's palsy if you're infected with the herpes virus? I've heard this theory and I wanted to know if the correlation is strong or if there is a high history of it happening. Thanks

[gracefromHHP]

The first ob does require a longer course of treatment which is why you were initially prescribed the 400mg 3x/day for 10 day dose.  Your body doesn't have any protective antibodies built up for the first ob to help your own immune system heal lesions faster so it takes a longer course of medication.  Recurrences are treated with the 5 days of acyclovir or the far more convenient and as jess said ,just as effective, 2 day course.  


The 200mg 3x/day dose is only for suppressive therapy. for ob's you need more medication than that to heal up lesions. I asked if you weren't in the US because that's a popular suppressive therapy dose more so outside of the US.  

Hypertension is very common in males and hasn't been associated with acyclovir use.  

grace

[auntiejessi]

They do studies and find that the shorter doses with a bigger bang do just as well, if not better, at treating outbreaks.  They've also found that meds past the first day or two of an outbreak aren't really doing anything.

You should check out the herpes handbook at www.westoverheights.com for more info.

Aj

[Cookie995]

sorry to keep this thread going but that brings up a different question as I've heard some discrepancies is the dosage for episodic treatment. My initial one I was prescribed 2 200mg pills 3x for 10 days. I've read for subsequent episodes to take the same dosage for 5 days. The dosage you explained sounds a lot easier, but do u have any explanation on these discrepancies?

[auntiejessi]

It won't happen for sure if you are just taking it episodically.  That's only for a couple of days, so it won't happen.

If you are taking it episodically, the dose is 800 mg 3x/day for 2 days.

Aj

[Cookie995]

So is that true for males and females? I am a male and I have read web sites that say although it's not common, people can experience hair loss and hypertension with zovirax. I don't take it for suppressive therapy, just for episodic therapy. I would hate to not be able to take it bc it makes me lose my hair. I feel like I just can't catch a break

[gracefromHHP]

Hair loss is not a side effect of acyclovir. there are some antedotal reports of a few folks experiencing it but it's not something that hardly anyone gets and isn't something to worry about.  it also won't cause an increase in blood pressure either.

Are you outside of the US?

Acyclovir can be taken suppressively 400mg 2x/day for easier dosing. I recommend that dose instead of the 3x/day dose for your convenience for taking it long term.

You can ask your pharmacist if there are any online pharmacies they recommend using.  

grace