What medication should be taken for herpes simplex virus infection?
Sep 02, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
In general, herpes simplex virus infection is an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Common symptoms include clustered blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, pain, itching, and other discomforts. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as acyclovir tablets, valacyclovir tablets, famciclovir tablets, ganciclovir capsules, and sodium phosphonoformate tablets for treatment.
Generally, herpes simplex virus infection is an infectious disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. Common symptoms include clustered blisters on the skin and mucous membranes, pain, and itching. Patients may use medications such as acyclovir tablets, valacyclovir tablets, famciclovir tablets, ganciclovir capsules, and sodium phosphonoformate tablets under medical guidance. Detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Acyclovir Tablets
Acyclovir is a nucleoside antiviral drug that selectively inhibits herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase, preventing viral DNA synthesis and thereby inhibiting viral replication. It is indicated for skin and mucosal infections caused by herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, such as cold sores and genital herpes.
2. Valacyclovir Tablets
Valacyclovir is a prodrug of acyclovir that rapidly converts to acyclovir in the body and exerts antiviral effects. Its antiviral mechanism is the same as that of acyclovir, but with higher bioavailability and less frequent dosing. It is indicated for the treatment and prevention of herpes simplex virus infections, especially suitable for patients requiring long-term medication to prevent recurrence.
3. Famciclovir Tablets
Famciclovir is also a nucleoside antiviral drug that is metabolized in the body to penciclovir, which inhibits herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase and interferes with viral DNA synthesis. It inhibits both herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and is indicated for herpes simplex virus-related infections such as acute herpes zoster and primary genital herpes.
4. Ganciclovir Capsules
Ganciclovir has strong inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus by competitively inhibiting viral DNA polymerase and incorporating into the viral DNA chain to prevent its extension, thereby inhibiting viral replication. It is mainly used for herpes simplex virus infections in individuals with impaired immune function, such as patients with AIDS or severe herpes infections in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.
5. Sodium Phosphonoformate Tablets
Sodium phosphonoformate is a non-nucleoside antiviral drug that directly inhibits herpes simplex virus DNA polymerase and reverse transcriptase without requiring intracellular phosphorylation activation. It is indicated for herpes simplex virus infections resistant to nucleoside drugs such as acyclovir, especially suitable for treating drug-resistant viral infections in immunocompromised individuals.
Maintaining good daily habits is important, such as avoiding spicy and irritating foods like ginger, mustard, and pepper, and keeping the affected area clean and dry to facilitate recovery.
