A 41-year-old member asked:

Does acyclovir have any other uses beside treating herpes?

1 doctor answer3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raff
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Yes: Although 10x more effective against herpes simplex, it can also be used for the varicella-zoster virus, and is much less active against cytomegalovirus. It can, therefore, be theoretically used in those situations, but not generally recommended.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Similar questions

A 33-year-old member asked:

Can acyclovir have any other use besides treating herpes?

1 doctor answer2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Martin Raff
Infectious Disease 58 years experience
Yes: Although 10x more effective against herpes simplex, it can also be used for the varicella-zoster virus, and is much less active against cytomegalovirus. It can, therefore, be theoretically used in those situations, but not generally recommended.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Related questions

A 25-year-old female asked:
Been taking acyclovir for 3 days now Genital herpes are burning what can I use to help treat it?
Dr. Silviu Pasniciuc
Internal Medicine 29 years experience
Steroids: A short course of oral steroids may help controlling the inflammation and the pain.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Glynis Ablon
Dermatology 31 years experience
try soaking with aluminum acetate and apply abreva
Jul 21, 2014
A 20-year-old male asked:
Can't we move the Herpes virus OUTSIDE the neurones then use acyclovir to kill it? sunlight causes outbreak, meaning it gets it OUTTA there, right?
Dr. John Berryman
Obstetrics and Gynecology 56 years experience
Herpes virus: Herpes , like all viruses, live inside the cell, and while there are impervious to Acyclovir. When activated, the virus is in the bloodstream and can... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
I got canker sore and use same spoon w/ people who has herpes. She didn't have lesions right now. I start acyclovir 20 min later. Will I get infected?
Dr. J. Lawrence Dohan
Dermatology 59 years experience
Relax: Herpes on the face, hsv1, is very common but most people have no symptoms. Most likely you already carry hsv1 and cannot get it again. People who have... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old male asked:
Are cold sores different from genital herpes?Also, is there any medication that can supress it? I only use acyclovir cream when I have an outbreak.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
This is sort of a: Confusing issue. Herpes simplex 1 virus causes most of the cases of oral herpes. However, sometime herpes simplex 2 virus can be spread to oral area. ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
can also hasten healing. Your physician can prescribe oral valtrex. Laser treatments are also used to treat cold sores.
Jan 22, 2014
Dr. Tim Conrad
Dr. Tim Conrad commented
Ophthalmology 36 years experience
Avira cream is an over-the-counter medication that works well on oral herpes.
Jan 22, 2014
Dr. Heidi Fowler
Psychiatry 27 years experience
Provided original answer
Thanks Dr. Conrad.
Jan 22, 2014
View all answers
A 47-year-old member asked:
How quickly does the acyclovir work for herpes out break?
Dr. Alan Jackson
Addiction Medicine 32 years experience
If started: Within 72 hoursof the onset you should notice the difference withe 3-4 days but take the entire prescribed dose.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Last updated Oct 3, 2016

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