Aciclovir for genital herpes - professional opinion sought

[BlueCloud1973]

I am just after a second opinion really having visited my gum clinic last week.

I have had herpes for 17 years and had problems with recurrent outbreaks so was prescribed suppressive aciclovir therapy which did the trick. I have been officially off this now for a year or so and have only had one attack, although have panicked a couple of times and obtained more aciclovir through various methods. The thing is I think I have become psychologically hooked on aciclovir as whenever I am taking it (even at reduced dose eg 400mg daily) I do not have attacks.

I visited my gum clinic last week as I am keen to have more aciclovir and take a low dose daily to keep the virus at bay. I was told that unless I was having regular outbreaks, I could not be prescribed more. The doc said that using aciclovir in this fashion (ie reduced dose,irregularly) was not recommended as my body could become tolerant to it making it ineffective.

I am obviously keen to keep the virus at bay, but it seems that unless I have significant outbreaks, I am not warranted in taking the drug. Without the drug I am sure my episodes will increase. I feel like I am in a catch 22 situation.

Does anyone know if using the drug casually (ie low dose and irregularly) will mean it becomes ineffective eventually?

All information/opinions/experiences gratefully recieved.

Does anyone know if using the drug casually (ie low dose and irregularly) will mean it becomes ineffective eventually?

I can't say about the tolerance because I just don't know, but aciclovir does not last in your body for very long at all. It has a half life of 3 hours, so after 3 hours only 50% of the medication is still in your system. If you were taking it every other day for example on a lower does then there would be large periods of time when you have no aciclovir in your system at all.

One attack in a year off aciclovir is great! How severe was the attack? Was it very painful or was it OK? When I first got HSV ugh it was like fire, it was horrendous, but now when I get them it doesn't hurt much at all and goes away quite quickly.

TBH it sounds like you don't physically need aciclovir any more but you are mentally dependent on it.

I hope this has helped you, if you want to talk privately about this PM me. Trust me, whatever you're thinking or feeling about it I know what you're going through :)