Pregnancy with herpes - Aciclovir

[Jessx90]

Hi Ladies,

I was diagnosed with genital herpes back in 2013, I haven’t had a outbreak since 2015 - however due to all the raging pregnancy hormones I’ve had small outbreaks at 22 weeks and now at 33 weeks. I am currently on Aciclovir (400mg x3 a day).

I have also been given a suppression prescription, one 800mg tablet daily. Everytime I have had Aciclovir they have been 400mg never 800mg, I just feel 800mg is a very high dose for 1 tablet. Has anyone else been prescribed 800mg daily for their suppression prescription? Do you think it’s possible to half the tablet and take one half in the morning one half in the evening?

I cannot get hold of my GP to discuss my doseage (I didn’t get get to speak to them when my outbreak started :-(, it was all through the receptionist then they sent my prescriptions through to the chemist) so I haven’t had a chance to discuss and ask my GP questions, i would like to ask if this is even safe to take during pregnancy! My midwife does not seem bothered at all, as I caught the virus before I was pregnant so the risk is low for the baby, but I can’t help but question it all.

If anyone has any past experiences I’d really appreciate hearing them :-) also I am a FTM so this is all new to me xxxx

Bump :-)

@Jessx90
Sorry I don't know much about the medicine etc, but I sure do know about being palmed off by receptionists and midwife assistants!
Look after yourself and your baby which translates as getting more sassy and demanding. Keep at it, call the midwife, demand a gp appointment. Receptionists are not medical professionals!!

Back in 04 and 06 I had to take a course right at the end of my pregnancies to make sure I didn't have an outbreak during the birth.

The dosage is 500 x 2/ day so I think you'll be ok with 800.

Thanks for your replies :-).

I will get back on the phone to the GP!! Xxx

The BUMPS website is great to use when checking medication when pregnant, my gp has referred to it when prescribing medicine to me in the past.

They don't list dosage but it looks like it is safe to use at least
www.medicinesinpregnancy.org/Medicine--pregnancy/Aciclovir/

Hi @Jessx90
I work in a chemist as a dispensing technician. Just looked it up in the drug formulary and that dose is fine. It also says aciclovir is safe to use in pregnancy. Health professionals are always super cautious about prescribing any drugs in pregnancy.
If you're worried and haven't got anywhere with the GP/midwife can you call the chemist? The pharmacist will probably know a lot more about it than them anyway and will be able to reassure you and give advice.

Thank you so much, your replies have been really helpful and feel a lot more at ease regarding the doseage. Hope these last few weeks fly by haha xx