This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.
All people, sooner or later, encounter one of the manifestations herpetic infection, which manifests itself as a common “cold on the lips”, or signs of labial herpes. But herpes infection is a much more serious and complex problem. There are several families of herpes viruses, and in humans not only the skin can be affected, but also the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and genitals; ophthalmic herpes or eye damage can occur, which without treatment leads to blindness.
Herpetic encephalitis and meningoencephalitis, that is, viral inflammation of the brain and its membranes, are extremely severe. In immunodeficient patients, herpetic lesions of internal organs such as hepatitis or pneumonia occur. Intrauterine herpetic infection is very severe, which often leads to severe lesions of the skin and central nervous system in infants. If left untreated, more than 60% of newborns die.
Currently, herpetic infection in HIV-infected persons has acquired particular importance, which quickly becomes generalized. There are also long-term consequences of herpes infection. So, with herpes zoster, or intercostal neuralgia, which was caused by herpes, after long years Persistent and burning neuropathic pain along the intercostal nerves may continue; they are very difficult to treat, lead to insomnia, neuroses, and in some cases even cause suicide.
There are practically no people who do not have herpes viruses in their bodies. We all become infected with viruses in early childhood, and more than 90% of all healthy people have specific antibodies to these viruses. Thus, the herpes simplex virus is detected already from the age of 18 months in almost all babies, and with the onset of sexual activity, antibodies to the genital herpes virus appear. Only in healthy people do herpes viruses “sleep” in a latent form in the cells of the central nervous system, and the immune system does not allow them to be activated. And in people with immunodeficiency, they begin to multiply, and symptoms of acute or chronic infection appear.
That is why it is necessary to be able to navigate the means that can quickly inactivate herpes, and this rating will consider drugs that have antiviral effectiveness, as well as those that can increase the immunity of patients and activate the body’s internal fight mechanisms. In conclusion, ointments and creams for the treatment of herpetic eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes will be considered.
Rating of the best herpes remedies
The best antiviral drugs for herpes
The first antiviral drug, which is still very widely used in practice, was created in the early eighties. This is acyclovir. But, despite more than forty years of history of using this remedy, it is still the most commonly prescribed medicine for herpes. More than 50 million patients around the world have already appreciated its ability to eliminate herpetic rashes.
In addition to acyclovir, drugs such as Famvir (famciclovir) and Valtrex (valaciclovir) have been introduced into clinical practice. The activity of antiviral drugs for herpes gradually increases, from acyclovir to famciclovir. Valacyclovir occupies an intermediate position.
Antiviral medicine for herpes can be prescribed in two different ways:
- one-time or occasional appointment when symptoms of herpes appear in healthy person;
- prolonged therapy.
If in the first case the medicine is prescribed in short courses, lasting about a week, then in the second case the patient is treated daily, and the course of treatment lasts months and even years. In the second case, the task is to prevent relapses of chronic infection in patients with severe immunodeficiency, with HIV infection, and in other clinically complex cases.
Acyclovir (Zovirax)
Zovirax is the original drug of acyclovir, and is produced by the pharmaceutical company Glaxo Smith Kline, UK. Zovirax is available as tablets of 200 and 400 mg acyclovir each, as well as an eye ointment, a topical cream and a powder for intravenous injections at severe forms herpes.
The mechanism of action of the drug is to deceive the virus and use defective building material for its DNA. As a result, a break in the DNA helix occurs, which stops the virus from reproducing. This mechanism is reliable and proven.
Zovirax is prescribed to adults for herpes simplex, or herpes on the lips, for the prevention of herpetic infection, for treatment chickenpox and herpes zoster. There are also other indications for certain groups of patients. Zovirax tablets should be taken during meals with water.
Zovirax must be taken frequently, every 4 hours, which is 5 doses per day. The average course of treatment lasts at least 5 days, but can be extended according to indications and on the recommendation of specialists. To prevent recurrence of herpetic infection, it is necessary to take the drug every 6 hours, that is, 4 times a day, or according to another regimen recommended by the doctor. There are dosages for the treatment of chickenpox and for patients with immunodeficiency. The cost of 25 Zovirax tablets is about 460 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
Zovirax, and other products containing acyclovir, have, perhaps, only two disadvantages. The first is that this drug is metabolized too quickly and breaks down in the human body, so frequent use of the drug cannot be avoided. The second drawback is that in the 40 years since the introduction of acyclovir into clinical practice, more powerful drugs have already appeared, although acyclovir continues to be the main, reliable and sought-after drug. A very important positive point is the possibility of using the product in pregnant women and during lactation; this is important in the prevention of herpes infection in newborns.
Acyclovir has side effects, such as nausea, rash, increased activity of liver enzymes. It is important that the use of acyclovir can be carried out together with the treatment of HIV infection, it does not cause any drug interaction effects.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex, Vayrova, Valvir, Valcicon, Vacirex)
Valacyclovir, a next-generation antiviral drug, is also widely available on pharmacy shelves. The original drug that first entered the market is the drug Valtrex, it is produced by the English company Glaxo Smith Klein, which previously bore the name Glaxo Wellcome before the merger of the companies.
Valacyclovir is a much more active treatment for herpes than Acyclovir, but the curious fact is that once in the body, valacyclovir, under the influence of a liver enzyme, is converted into acyclovir, an “older generation” antiviral drug? described above. But for some reason, a package of 10 Valtrex 500 mg tablets costs from 960 rubles. and higher. What is the reason?
The thing is that Valtrex has such characteristics of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that they allow acyclovir, as an active metabolite, to remain in the body for a longer period of time. high concentration. As a result, you can take Valtrex much more in a convenient way- just one tablet in the morning and one tablet in the evening, and not 5 times like Zovirax. The usual total daily dose is 1 or 2 g. In addition, the resulting constant concentration of acyclovir, as an active metabolite, allows the drug to act on the herpes virus in more complex cases.
If Zovirax is quite suitable for treating a common “cold” on the lips, then Valtrex is used to treat herpes zoster, genital herpes, immunodeficiency states, in order to prevent cytomegalo viral infection, as well as for the treatment of herpes zoster, affecting the eye area when affecting the facial and trigeminal nerves(dangerous localization with possible development of ophthalmoherpes). If patients have a recurrent type of herpetic lesion, then it is necessary to immediately begin treatment with this drug for 3 or 5 days, but as prescribed by the doctor, the period can be increased to 10 days, and the dose can also be increased.
Valtrex is a fairly expensive treatment for herpes. Thus, 10 tablets of 0.5 g, designed for 5 days of use for the usual, non-recurrent form of herpes, can be purchased for 960 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
To a first approximation, Valtrex can be considered a form of acyclovir, which acts powerfully and constantly in the body, and is devoid of its disadvantages. But Valtrex also has its own characteristics. It should not be used in children and adolescents; it is intended for adults over 18 years of age. It should be used with caution in the presence of renal failure, and insufficient data have been accumulated on the use of Valtrex in pregnant and nursing mothers. And, although there is no clear ban on the use of the medicine, it can only be used if the benefits of taking it exceed possible risk for the fetus.
From side effects often arose headache and nausea, less often - allergic rash and itching. Valacyclovir can be considered a drug that can cope with herpetic eye lesions, as well as prevent the transmission of genital herpes to a healthy sexual partner, which is not always possible with simple acyclovir.
Famciclovir (Famvir, Minaker, Familar)
Famvir is a new and most modern antiviral drug for herpes, which, after oral administration, turns into an active metabolite - pencivir. Pentsivir is active not only against herpes viruses, but is also able to suppress the reproduction of varicella zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus and CMV ( cytomegalovirus infection). The drug acts on the hereditary material of viruses, suppressing the doubling of the DNA strand and inhibiting the reproduction of viral particles - replication. Thus, famciclovir, like valacyclovir described above, are not active drugs, but prodrugs that are activated in the human body under the influence of liver enzymes.
Famvir is indicated for the treatment of various forms of herpes and herpes zoster caused by the varicella zoster virus. It is prescribed for the prevention and treatment of exacerbations of recurrent herpetic infections, including in patients with reduced immunity. Famciclovir is more likely to eliminate herpes zoster, and treatment of herpes with this drug results in the least amount of residual effects in the form of postherpetic neuralgia.
It is recommended to use Famvir, on average, 500 mg 3 times a day for 7 days. This dosage is recommended for herpetic eye infections, herpes zoster, and some other forms of herpetic infection. There are various dosage regimens, which are indicated by the attending physician.
Famvir is produced by the pharmaceutical company Novartis, and in terms of price this medicine for herpes is the absolute leader on the Russian market. Three tablets with a dosage of 500 mg can be purchased at a price of 1,350 rubles. Thus, a comma course of taking this remedy, for example, for the treatment of ophthalmoherpes, will be about 9,500 rubles. during the week. Of course, taken by itself this price seems large, but if it allows one to avoid blindness, then it can be ignored altogether.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of famciclovir include its highest bioavailability of all the listed drugs, and, consequently, activity. This drug is well tolerated, and low immunity in patients with HIV infection is not an obstacle to its use. The most common side effects were mild headache and nausea. Data on overdose are practically unknown. In general, we can say that the original famciclovir produced by Novartis is the “gold standard” for the treatment of severe forms of herpes infection. The only negative is the rather high price, and the form is produced only for internal use, in the form of tablets. There is no doubt that in the future famciclovir will be available in parenteral, intravenous administration, which is why its effectiveness in severe forms of herpetic infection will increase significantly.
Immune remedies for herpes: fact and fiction
In various domestic recommendations for the treatment of herpes infection, one can often find the prescription of drugs to patients that are interferon inducers, or agents that stimulate the production of this substance with antiviral activity in the human body.
Patients are advised to take drugs such as Amiksin, Ridostin, Cycloferon, and even Kagocel. Often, domestic experts advise using interferons themselves, such as Viferon, Reaferon and other drugs in order to increase one’s own nonspecific immunity with antiviral activity. Are these drugs really as good at fighting the herpes virus as the antiviral drugs with a known mechanism of action, which were described above? Let's try to understand this situation.
Let us present data on the first named drug - Amiksin. If you go to pharmacies and look at which companies produce Amiksin and similar drugs, the active ingredient of which is tiloron, you can see that they are: the domestic company Pharmstandard, which produces Amiksin, the Nizhpharm company, which produces Lavomax, Dalkhimfarm, which produces an analogue of Tilaxin, the company Ozone, with an analogue of Tiloram, and so on.
It is immediately noticeable that among the manufacturers there are no world leaders in the pharmaceutical industry who produce drugs of the first group with proven antiviral activity. What's the matter?
Amiksin is used very widely in Russia for many viral infections, for the prevention of influenza, hepatitis, ARVI and herpes. In the instructions for it you can read that it is characterized only by such adverse reactions, such as allergies, dyspepsia and chills. The instructions say that it is contraindicated for use in pregnant women, but why is unclear.
Despite the fact that this drug actually showed quite high activity in the synthesis of interferon in the laboratory, that is, in vitro, it is not used abroad. This drug has been shown to have serious side effects, such as adverse effects on fetal development or embryotoxicity. Clinical trials were stopped due to side effects. International evidence-based studies conducted with high level There is no reliability for Amiksin, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have any information about it, it is not used in developed countries of Europe and the USA. Links confirming this information:
- http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.3109/10915819409140990 embryotoxicity;
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1720315 Amiksin’s ability to induce mucopolysaccharidosis.
As for other interferon inducers, drugs such as Cycloferon and Ridostin are also not registered outside the CIS countries, and in the countries of North America and Western Europe such drugs as Cycloferon are unknown. There is a lot of work on cycloferon, but there is not a single randomized clinical trial (RCT) conducted with a high level of evidence on this drug, and its clinical effectiveness has not been proven.
But maybe, if interferon inducers do not have proven effectiveness, maybe interferon itself, introduced into the human body, can help protect against herpes? Maybe Viferon, which is produced in different dosage forms, really helps? Viferon, for example, is available in the form of an ointment, in the form rectal suppositories four dosages, in the form of a gel for topical use.
Alas, it has long been proven in experiments that the direct and continuous effect of exogenous, or interferon introduced from outside, on the cell should last at least 4 hours, and in high doses. Therefore, putting interferon in the nose, administering it in suppositories, and spreading it on the surface of the skin may not provide any real benefits that will help in overcoming a herpetic infection.
It’s a completely different matter when ointments, creams and gels that contain truly effective antiviral drugs: the same acyclovir, penciclovir, ganciclovir, and other antiviral agents. So the time has come to move from drugs with questionable effectiveness, which are not used in developed countries, to local treatment herpetic infection.
The best herpes remedies for topical treatment
The best way to achieve the speedy elimination of herpetic eruptions on the skin and mucous membranes is a combination effective reception antiviral drugs orally, creating an effective concentration of the herpes drug in the blood, and applying drugs to the skin and mucous membranes that stop the replication of the virus in the skin and the appearance of new foci of blistering rash. All antiviral ointments and creams must be used in the same way as tablets - immediately at the initial diagnosis, or even earlier, at the stage of prodromal phenomena, when there is no vesicular rash yet.
In this case, the patient in the classic case may experience, against the background of general cold symptoms, a slight feeling of irritation on the skin in the area of the nasolabial triangle, and for this reason unpleasant sensations a person who already has sufficient experience understands that the next day he will develop herpetic rashes. In this case, you must immediately start using special local drugs that will help inactivate the manifestation of the infection from the outside.
It should be remembered that you should not touch herpetic vesicles with your hands, as well as vesicles formed during chickenpox. The fact is that if you then accidentally touch your eyes with these hands, you can introduce a herpetic infection there, with severe damage to the cornea, then to all areas of the eye, and with an unfavorable immune status, ophthalmic herpes can transform into herpetic encephalitis, with a high mortality rate. Let's consider the most well-known effective local remedies for the treatment of herpetic infections.
The active ingredient in Erazaban cream is docosanol. It has a unique mechanism of antiviral activity. It does not affect, like drugs of the first group, a fatal change in the hereditary material of the herpes virus, but acts on the mechanism of penetration of the virus into the cell. One of key points This mechanism is the initial fusion of the virus with the cell membrane. It is this stage of pathogenesis that is affected by dokazanol.
Erazaban is applied to the area of vesicular viral rashes on the skin, as well as to adjacent healthy areas, and is used in adult patients and in children over 12 years of age for 4-6 days. If the patient applied this cream before the appearance of the rash, with prodromal signs, then the use of Erazaban generally prevents the development of vesicular rashes. On average, 1 or 2 days after the start of treatment, a significant improvement or even complete elimination of the rash occurs, but still, in order for the best effect, the cream must be applied for 5 days, or even longer. Erazaban is produced by Health Care brands International, and you can buy the cream, packaged in small tubes of 2 g, for 400 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The only drawback of Erazaban is the fairly frequent need to apply it to the skin. Every 3 hours it is necessary to renew the applied cream, and this must be done five times a day. A side effect can be considered dry skin, and slight itching, tingling or burning in those areas of the skin where the cream is applied. But most patients tolerate it well, but it is not recommended to apply it to the skin near the eyes. The only restrictions are patients with severe immunodeficiency and pregnant women, but not due to the development of special side effects, but due to the lack of full-blown clinical trials. In patients with liver and kidney pathologies, the cream can be used as usual.
Virgan is a special gel that is intended exclusively for use in ocular forms of herpes. Virgan contains ganciclovir, which is similar in its mechanism of action to acyclovir, and through competitive inhibition disrupts the formation of viral hereditary material. This gel is active not only against herpes and chickenpox viruses, but also against the causative agent of cytomegalovirus infection and the Epstein-Barr virus.
This cream is used in the composition complex therapy in the treatment of herpetic superficial keratitis, for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection and for the prevention of the formation of ocular complications in AIDS. This gel is recommended for prophylaxis in case of transplantation immunodeficiencies, when the patient receives massive doses of immunosuppressive drugs, or chemotherapy in connection with an upcoming or completed organ transplantation.
The gel has an opalescent appearance and has a low viscosity, so it is not spread, but is instilled into the eyes, in the area of the lower conjunctiva, from 3 to 5 times a day. Average duration course of treatment – 2 weeks, but not less than 7 and not more than 21 days. Since the conjunctiva has an increased ability to absorb, Virgan may cause minor pain, blurred vision, symptoms of eye irritation and the development of conjunctival hyperemia. Virgan is produced by Laboratoires THÉA, (France), and its average cost- about 900 rub.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantages of Virgan include high antiviral activity, good absorption and distribution in intraocular media, and relatively low resorptive capacity for absorption into the systemic bloodstream. Ganciclovir is a next-generation antiviral that is more active than usual eye ointment containing Acyclovir. The disadvantages include a ban on its use in children under 12 years of age and the need to store it in a cool place. Patients with contact lenses should remember that if the ophthalmologist suspects a risk of developing ophthalmic herpes, then the lenses should definitely be removed and not put on until this risk disappears, or until the manifestations of the infection are completely cured.
Surprisingly, drugs that have no proven effect on the herpes virus are also used to treat ophthalmoherpes. For example, we are talking about a drug such as Oftaquix, which is available in the form eye drops, and contains levofloxacin. This substance belongs to the class of fluoroquinolones, and is capable of suppressing the proliferation of a large number of pathogens, various bacteria, but still related to cellular life forms, unlike viruses.
But such means must be used to prevent the addition of a secondary infection, especially if ophthalmoherpes has already reached the stage of ulceration, and the patient has a high risk of developing a complication such as acute purulent keratitis, iridocyclitis, or a creeping corneal ulcer. Not a single most effective antiviral drug affects the reproduction of ordinary pyogenic staphylococci, and the doctor must take this fact into account. If the patient lives far enough away that he can only get to a doctor in a few days, but there is a pharmacy nearby, then he needs not only to instill antiviral drugs into his eyes, but also to reinforce their effect with the use of local antimicrobials. For treatment skin rashes As a rule, such “reinsurance” is not required.
It is necessary to drip Oftaquix for prevention every 2 hours, one or two drops into the affected eye. Starting from the 3rd day of treatment, the drug is instilled half as often, and the course is usually no more than 5 days. It should be instilled not on the conjunctiva, but directly on the cornea, that is, on the “eye itself.”
Oftaquix is produced by the Finnish company Santen, and one bottle containing 5 ml drops can be purchased for 185 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
The advantage of Oftaquix is its reliable cover, under which treatment of ocular herpes can be carried out more safely. It is active against both gram-negative and gram-positive microorganisms, is well preserved in the tear film, and is widely used for prevention. Side effects include a slight burning sensation in the eye, which can occur in 10% of cases and, most often, goes away on its own. Oftaquix is contraindicated for use in pregnant and lactating women, as well as hypersensitivity. IN childhood it can be prescribed, but with caution.
This cream, produced by the well-known pharmaceutical concern Novartis, contains antiviral medicinal substance- pencivir. It is also an active metabolite and affects the hereditary material of the herpes virus. For comparison, in laboratory studies it turned out that pencivir is able to stay inside cells and cope with the virus several times longer than Acyclovir. But despite laboratory research, application of the cream must be repeated every 2-3 hours, with the exception of the night break. But with such an inconvenient regime, in 3-4 days the cream produces the necessary healing effect, and there is no need to use it for a week or even longer. The cost of a tube weighing 2 g starts from 280 rubles.
Advantages and disadvantages
As with any medicine, individual intolerance to the components of the cream is a contraindication to its use. There have been no large-scale clinical studies on the use of the cream in children under 12 years of age, so it is also contraindicated in early childhood. But during pregnancy and breastfeeding, this product can be applied to the skin, but very carefully, after consultation with your doctor, and only if the benefits of this drug outweigh the possible risks. As for the advantages of this remedy, it can help in cases where topical acyclovir works slowly or a short course is needed.
With oxolinic ointment, which is recommended by some domestic guidelines as a local antiviral agent, the situation is exactly the same as with interferons and its inducers. It is produced, including in the form of an intranasal form, only by domestic enterprises, and it has no proven effectiveness, either antiherpetic or antiviral in general. Chemists know oxolinic acid, which, indeed, has, at least in laboratory conditions antimicrobial activity, but no information about scientific research abroad, and especially about registration medicines, and we will not find agents containing oxoline or (dioxotetrahydroxytetrahydronaphthalene) introduced into widespread clinical practice. This remedy is not used in North America and Western Europe, and the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have any recommendations for its use for the treatment and prevention of herpes. Therefore, the decision to use oxolin in Russia is only a “tribute to tradition.”
Conclusion
Unfortunately, many people tend to underestimate the danger of herpetic rashes, and often they are not treated at all, especially if the patient is accustomed to the fact that during the cold and rainy season he annually develops signs of labial herpes, or “colds” on the lips. This impression is deceptive. For example, something like this acute illness, such as Bell's palsy, or facial nerve paresis, in which one half of the facial muscles of the face is paralyzed, most often occurs due to herpetic infection. Facial nerve swelling in its narrow place, where it passes through the canal of the temporal bone. It is from the speed of destination antiviral therapy In the very first hours of the onset of signs of paralysis, the rate of regression of neurological symptoms also depends. In such cases, treatment should be started immediately by taking drugs with antiviral activity orally, and supported by applying ointments and creams to the skin of the face.
In the event of the appearance of vesicular rashes along the intercostal nerves, the same strict and rigorous approach to the combined prescription of drugs is necessary. The result of untreated intercostal neuralgia can be painful, persistent, long-term neuropathic pain, which is extremely difficult to treat.
Therefore, medical literacy of the general population and timely initiation of antiviral therapy can serve as the key to, if not a full recovery, then significant inactivation of the virus and its return to a dormant and inactive state.
And if, instead of immediately consulting a doctor and starting to urgently use antiviral drugs with proven effectiveness, the patient will rely on homeopathic remedies, for compresses and remedies traditional medicine, - then, most likely, he will remain with partial paralysis of the facial muscles for the rest of his life.
Herpes is the most common pathology of viral etiology, which affects the superficial layers of the dermis and mucous membranes of organs. Completely cure infection impossible, but it is possible to suppress the activity of the pathogen and reduce the severity of symptoms. For this purpose, oral medications and local ointments for herpes on the body are used.
Treatment methods
To suppress the activity of the virus, antiviral drugs are prescribed for oral or external use. For elimination pain syndrome, discomfort, itching and burning that accompany herpetic rashes, painkillers are used.
To relieve inflammatory processes, antiphlogistic, antiseptic drugs and auxiliary wound healing agents are prescribed. To maintain immunity and increase protective forces - a long course of immunomodulators, vitamin and mineral complexes. Medicines play a significant role in the treatment of herpes on the body.
Ointments against herpes on the body
The most prescribed group of medications are ointments, gels and creams for external use, which help suppress the activity of the virus and reduce the severity of the symptomatic picture.
There are 2 groups of ointments for herpes on the body:
- products with a wound-healing and restorative effect, used at the stage of opening herpetic vesicles;
- antiviral drugs that suppress the activity and prevent the proliferation of herpes.
The advantage of medications for external use is penetration active component into the epidermis at the immediate site of inflammation. This helps to quickly cope with itching and burning, prevent the multiplication of the virus, and ensure rapid recovery of the affected areas. In addition, herpes remedies for external use have a minimum number of contraindications, since they linger in the surface layers of the skin and do not penetrate vascular system and do not affect the performance of internal organs.
Zovirax
Zovirax- an effective remedy for herpetic rashes on the body. Includes active substance acyclovir, which is active against certain types of herpes virus.
The drug is used for the treatment and prevention of pathology various localizations. The ointment helps to quickly cope with the severity of the clinical picture.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the symptoms and ranges from 7 to 21 days. Apply the product to cleansed skin 5-6 times a day.
Panavir-gel
Anti-herpes ointment based on natural ingredients: potato shoots, water. Additional substances include glycerol, lanthanum, macrogol. It is used for the treatment and prevention of herpetic rashes on the body, mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, and genitals.
Thanks to natural composition, the product can be used during pregnancy, lactation, and also in childhood. Patients with individual intolerance to potatoes and other components of the ointment should refrain from using it.
The ointment is applied using a cotton pad or stick to cleansed areas of the skin. Panavir should be used 6 times a day at regular intervals. With regular use, the symptoms of the disease disappear within 5 days.
Acyclovir
An antiviral agent that is prescribed in the form of tablets for oral administration and ointments for external use. The composition includes the active substance acyclovir, which is active against a large number of strains of infection. An auxiliary component is Vaseline, which ensures easy application of the ointment and has a moisturizing effect.
Traditional recipes for ointments
As an auxiliary method of therapy, the use of ointments prepared on the basis of healing components of natural origin is allowed. For creating medicines For external use, active against herpes viruses, plants with pronounced antiphlogistic, antiviral, antimicrobial, wound-healing, regenerating, restorative and soothing effects are used. This is aloe chamomile flowers and leaves officinalis, wormwood, garlic, echinacea, willow and many others.
To treat herpetic infections, medications are used that are classified by action (antiviral agents, immunomodulators and interferon drugs) and active substance. Herpes pills fight the virus inside the body and block its activity.
Benefits of medicines in tablets
WITH complete instructions medications can be found in the package insert included in each package.
The most budget-friendly anti-herpes option is cheap tablets (price from 27 rubles). The active ingredient is Acyclovir.
The medicine is taken regardless of food, antiviral agent You can drink it while eating with a glass of water. Exact dosage calculated based on the patient’s age, weight and body surface area.
| Virus type | How to use |
| 1 type | For adults: · in case of normal immune status, 1 g 5 divided into 5 doses (at night - break) for 5 days; · in case of immunodeficiency and dysfunction of intestinal absorption, the dosage is increased to 0.4 g. · for the prevention of relapses: 0.8 g 2 divided into 2 doses with an interval of 12 hours, or 0.2 g 4 times a day, the duration of the course depends on the period of infection. For children over 3 years of age: the dosage is similar to the treatment regimen for adult patients. |
| Type 3 | For adults: · daily dosage of 1 g is divided into 5 doses, the course of treatment is from 7 to 10 days; · 3-6 years: 0.4 g divided into 2 doses, course of treatment 5 days; · from 6 years: 0.8 g divided into 4 doses, course of treatment for 5 days. |
| 4 type (damage to lymph nodes, spleen, liver and nasopharynx) |
The treatment regimen is selected individually. |
| 5 type (the central nervous system, eyes, spleen, liver and pancreas are affected) |
The treatment regimen is selected individually |
The drug has the most powerful antiviral activity against HSV-1, then in descending order: HSV-2, Varicella zoster virus, and.
A complete analogue of the drug Acyclovir is Zovirax, the treatment regimen is identical.
Acyclovir - used to treat 5 types of herpes
A modern Swiss drug of a new generation is one of the most expensive medicines (from 1,400 rubles). Active ingredient: Famciclovir.
Tablets are taken orally, be sure to wash them down big amount water and do not chew. During antiviral therapy with Famvir, you do not need to adhere to a diet.
| Virus strain | Instructions for use |
| Herpes simplex type 1 (for primary infection, exacerbation and relapse) |
· twice a day, 0.5 g – course 7 days; With normal immunity: · for relapses, 0.25 g - 2 doses. |
| Herpes simplex type 2 (from genital herpes during primary infection, exacerbation and relapse) |
For immunodeficiency states (IDS): · twice a day, 0.5 g – course 7 days. With normal immunity: · three times a day, 0.25 g – 5 days; · for exacerbation, 0.125 g 2 times a day – 5 days; · in case of relapse, 0.25 g – 2 doses. |
| Varicella Zoster – type 3 | With a body weight of 15-20 kg - 50 mg/kg divided into 4 doses: · adults – 6-8 pcs. in a day; · children: 0.5 tablets per 5 kg of body per day. Duration of therapy is 5-10 days, until complete cure. In the asymptomatic period, to reduce the number of relapses - 1 tablet twice a day, duration of therapy - 30 days. |
Contraindicated for use by children under 3 years of age.
Isoprinosine - normalizes deficiency and impairment of cellular immunity
The immunomodulator is used as monotherapy for the prevention of herpetic infections of the nasal and labial zone, for the treatment of herpes on the lips and nose - used in combination with other drugs (price from 755 rubles). Active ingredient: azoximer bromide
Prohibited for use by children under 3 years of age.
All tablets have special instructions in use, which are important to pay attention to, these include pregnancy and lactation, kidney and liver dysfunction. It also matters immune status, the number of relapses of herpes per year with drug treatment. In many cases, the selection of dosage and medications is individual - do not neglect your health and seek help from specialists.
Polyoxidonium - main actions immunomodulatory and detoxifying Data Oct 09 ● Comments 0 ● Views Doctor Maria Nikolaeva
Herpes on the lips appears due to a viral infection, as a result of which small pimples with blisters form on the skin, which after a while ulcerate and a crust appears. This pathology is accompanied by pain and itching. There is a lot on the lips various shapes release - tablets, ointments, creams.
The cause of herpes is a weakened immune system, which causes the virus to become more active. When primary signs of the disease appear, antiviral ointment should be used, which is an effective remedy for such a disease. It contains acyclovir, which destroys the virus.
The structure of the drug resembles an element of human DNA, due to which the virus adapts to it, but dies after a while, because it cannot function and reproduce normally.
This remedy for herpes on the lip is used as follows - the ointment is applied to cotton swab and apply to the rash. When the product is absorbed, apply it again. It acts quickly, and ulcers and blisters disappear in a short time.
If herpes is not treated promptly, the disease begins to progress, blisters and further ulcerations form in the corners of the mouth. To get rid of them, you will need not only ointments, but also tablets with acyclovir, which are stronger. In addition, taking immunoglobulins is recommended.
Acyclovir and herpes
What drugs are used to treat colds on the lips?
There are many medications that help eliminate rashes. Effective medicines for herpes on the lips are available in the form of tablets, ointments, and creams.
Pills
Such remedies against herpes on the lips are used if local drugs do not have the desired effect, and the infection begins to spread throughout the body. Tablets can only be used as prescribed by a doctor and strictly according to the instructions, since many of them have side effects. They are intended both for the treatment of the disease and for the prevention of relapses of herpes.
The tablets are effective on different stages development of the disease. They prevent the herpes virus from multiplying and preventing it from spreading to healthy cells. Unlike ointments, which act only on the surface of the skin, tablets act from the inside, enhancing the therapeutic effect.
The most the best means from herpes:
Ointments and creams
Treatment of herpes on the lips is carried out with ointments and creams. Their active substance V large quantities penetrates into the lesion. The drugs do not allow the virus to spread to healthy areas of the skin. They are well tolerated by the body and rarely cause side effects.
Antiviral ointments can be used even at a late stage of the disease. They do not require strict dosage. Such medications are therapeutic and restorative.
Medicines have immunomodulatory, antiherpetic and antiviral effects, suppress the herpes virus and inhibit its development. Restorative drugs have antiviral, drying, analgesic, antihistamine and antiseptic effects, but they are not intended to fight the virus.
The most effective drugs for the treatment of herpes on the lips:
It can occur not only in the autumn-winter season, but also in spring and even summer. This depends on many reasons, including the state of the immune system. If it is weakened, the virus begins to actively multiply, affecting the mucous membranes and skin.
So how to get rid of this disease? There are no medications that can cure herpes once and for all. However, you can forget about this disease for a long time. To do this, you should constantly maintain the functioning of your immune system, as well as take preventive measures by taking certain medications. We will tell you which ones a little further.
general information
Surprisingly, tablets for herpes on the lips are much less popular than all kinds of creams and ointments. What is this connected with? Many patients are convinced that such drugs are synthetic and have the desired effect only thanks to “chemistry”, simultaneously affecting everything internal organs and systems. Also, most people who have herpes believe that the principle of operation of cream and ointment is more clear: apply the product to the affected area of the skin, and it will be healed.
However, experts say that these conclusions are not correct.
Herpes on the lips is called viral disease, which is only indirectly related to cold and vitamin deficiency in the body. In fact, the appearance of rashes is affected only by the activity of the virus itself in the human body. Therefore, to suppress it, you should definitely take special Tablets for herpes on the lips, the price of which will be presented below, are best suited for this.
Of course, ointments and creams also have a certain effect, but to a lesser extent. It should also be noted that the use local funds is considered safe from the point of view of the development of adverse reactions.
Operating principle
As mentioned above, tablets help best with herpes on the lips. After all, this is a special antiviral agent. After taking the drug, it is absorbed into the blood and immediately distributed throughout the body. Once in cells affected by the virus, it helps block special enzymes that are essential for the propagation of the pathogen. As a result of such exposure, the number of viral elements stops increasing, and those that are present are destroyed through the forces of the immune system.
It should be especially noted that the medicine for herpes on the lips in tablets must be taken on time: as soon as the signs of the disease make themselves felt. Only in this case therapeutic effect won't keep you waiting long.
Experts say that for herpes on the lips, tablets taken during the prodromal period (that is, before the main symptoms appear in the form of rashes) can stop the replication of the virus at the stage when it has not yet seriously affected the skin. Thus, unpleasant bubbles may not appear at all.
Undesirable effects
Which tablets for herpes on the lips do the job better than others? Only an experienced specialist can answer this question. If you do not have the opportunity to see a doctor, then you should choose antiviral drugs very carefully.
Instructions for use
The tablets we are considering should be taken without chewing, with plenty of plain water. Thanks to the sale of the drug in different weights (250, 125 and 500 mg), the daily and single dosage is easy to vary.
The maximum effective dose of this drug is considered to be taking 3 tablets (500 mg each) per day (at equal intervals). However, this amount of the drug must be agreed with the doctor, since it may vary depending on the physical condition of the patient, his age and individual characteristics.
Characteristics of the drug
Surprisingly, according to research results, Famvir tablets were ineffective for black people.
This drug has a certain toxic effect. It often causes digestive disorders, a feeling of exhaustion, depression nervous regulation and the development of rashes on the body. Therefore, taking this medicine must be agreed with your doctor.
Use Famvir during pregnancy and during breastfeeding prohibited. It is produced by the Swiss company “Zima”, and therefore its price is about 880 rubles per package.
Let's sum it up
Now you know which tablets can be found in Russian pharmacies. It should be noted that all of the above remedies are very effective.
Of course, to eliminate herpetic eruptions, you can use not only oral medications, but also local medications. Moreover, each of the listed medications is in the form of an ointment.
The ideal treatment for herpes is a combination of internal and external remedies. This use of drugs will contribute to the rapid elimination of rashes and the patient’s complete recovery in the shortest possible time. You should also not forget about the state of your immune system. In the process of treating herpes, doctors always recommend taking vitamin complexes or any other folk remedies.
It is also very important to remember that the mentioned disease never manifests itself just like that. If they appear on the lips from time to time, then you should think about your lifestyle. Your body may be lacking vitamins and minerals.
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