The truth is sometimes bitter, and so it is with herpes, because the fact that this disease cannot be cured once and forever with effective means makes so many people suffer twice as much from it.
Nevertheless, doctors and scientists have managed to create powerful medications to make coping with herpes easier. The most popular and effective drugs are Zovirax, Famvir and Valtrex.
All the given medications are antiviral drugs, which work practically in the same way: by reducing the strength of the herpes simplex virus and suppressing its ability to reproduce itself. On the other hand, there are some differences between these drugs, knowing which may be of great help while choosing the right medication in every particular case.
1. Date of production. Zovirax is the oldest FDA approved medication against herpes. It is available by prescription in pharmacies since 1984. Famvir and Valtrex are much younger drugs.
2. Form of production. Zovirax, unlike other two medications, which come in the form of pills only, is also available as cream, ointment, and suspension.
3. Active components. The main active ingredient of Zovirax is acyclovir, an effective antiviral means. Valacyclovir, the active component of Valtrex, is similar to acyclovir. In fact, valacyclovir is converted into the good old acyclovir in the patients body. Famciclovir, found in Famvir, is converted into penciclovir in the organism.
4. Bioavailability. Zovirax bioavailability is 20%. Valacyclovir has bioavailability about 55%. Famvir concentration in plasma is almost four times higher than that of Zovirax (77%). The higher bioavailability of the chemical, the more effective it is.
5. Dosage. The newer drugs against herpes are much stronger and need smaller doses to act effectively. Therefore, Famvir and Valtrex should be taken twice a day, while Zovirax may be prescribed to be taken two, three or five times a day during the episodic treatment. For the suppressive therapy it is enough to take one pill of Valtrex a day; the other two drugs must be taken twice a day. 6. Side effects. The smallest amount of side effects is observed in Zovirax (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and headache). Famvir is also well-tolerated by the majority of patients, though, constipation, dizziness, fever, and fatigue can be experienced in addition to the feelings caused by Zovirax. Valtrex is the most difficult to get used to during the treatment, because patients often report of abdominal pain, menstrual cramps, allergic reactions, hallucinations, agitation, and other reactions of the nervous system. The elderly are the most likely to suffer from these feelings.
7. Pregnancy. None of these medications is properly studied for the use in pregnancy and is not officially approved for such cases. However, several clinical studies showed that Zovirax had no negative influence on the baby development, while treating infected pregnant women. Still, these drugs are not recommended for them.
8. Breastfeeding. Zovirax is known to be excreted in breast milk. Concerning the other two drugs there is no data on this issue, since these medications were not yet well studied. Taking into account all the said above, doctors do not recommend to use herpes drugs during breastfeeding.
9. Food. Zovirax and Valtrex are better to take with food, in order not to irritate the stomach. Famvir can be taken either with or without food.
10. Price. Zovirax is the cheapest in price. The most expensive seem to be Valtrex. However, even Famvir exceedes Zovirax price more than twice as much.
Ivanna
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