WHAT ARE DESCRIPTIONS OF ACYCLOVIR AND OTHER DRUGS BEING USED & TESTED FOR HERPES SIMPLEX?
No drug, to date, can actually cure herpes simplex virus. The infection may recur after treatment has been stopped, and during therapy, a patient can still transmit the virus to another person. Drugs are now available, however, that can reduce symptoms and improve healing times. Acyclovir and Related Drugs The best class of drugs developed to date against herpes simplex are antiviral agents called nucleosides and nucleotide analogues , which block viral reproduction. • Acyclovir. Acyclovir (Zovirax) is the standard nucleoside for treating many HSV infections. It penetrates most body tissues, including cerebrospinal fluid, but has little or no harmful effect on healthy cells. Although most effective against an active infection, acyclovir may also reduce the frequency of viral shedding. It is not known if limiting shedding prevents transmission of the virus, so the use of condoms during asymptomatic periods is still essential, even when patients are taking acyclovir. • Acyclovir is avail
