Low cost herpes medication?
What are the lowest-cost herpes medications for both outbreak only treatment and daily therapy?
My doctor prescribed me valtrex for as-needed care but at a cost of 50$ (after what my insurance covered) for a 10day trial run it took a large chunk out of my food budget.
I’m afraid that the option will be food OR Valtrex if he advises a daily therapy, 3x a day, at around 2.50$ a pill= around 225$ a month.
Are there any other, lower-cost herpes medications?
I’m in the south western US
Wal-mart has a $4 prescription for ACYCLOVIR. Sounds like you aren’t in the US though, so I am not sure if it is available where you are.
An alternative that some people take is a vitamin supplement called L-Lysine. Some say it helps prevent outbreaks. However, it does not decrease asymptomatic viral shedding so does not reduce the risk of transmission.
December 31st, 2009 at 10:35 am
hi, good day comodidit, Please consult a specialist in your area to get one that most suit your requirements and budget. Thank you
References :
December 31st, 2009 at 11:06 am
I know theres a non name brand pill that is like valtrex. when you get your prescription filled, ask for it.
there are also a variety of things that work, but alot of them arnt fda approved here in the states yet, so you have to buy it over the internet, but from what I have read, they work.
References :
December 31st, 2009 at 11:49 am
Wal-mart has a $4 prescription for ACYCLOVIR. Sounds like you aren’t in the US though, so I am not sure if it is available where you are.
An alternative that some people take is a vitamin supplement called L-Lysine. Some say it helps prevent outbreaks. However, it does not decrease asymptomatic viral shedding so does not reduce the risk of transmission.
References :
I have HSV2
December 31st, 2009 at 12:15 pm
There are three anti-viral drugs that have ALL been shown to reduce the symptoms of herpes – as well as viral shedding with no symptoms. With my insurance policy, the most expensive is Valtrex (because there is no generic available). The cheapest is Zovirax (acyclovir). The price difference between these two drugs is incredible. And they are both very very effective. Valtrex is advertised by the drug manufacturers precisely because it is so expensive – not because it is more effective. The third drug, which also seems expensive, is Famvir.
I’ll put a couple of links below to studies on the effectiveness of these drugs, just so you can read for yourself.
One thing to be careful about is that there are many many folks remedies, or even all-out scams, for reducing herpes symptoms. The sneaky truth about herpes is that your first outbreak is the worst, and the symptoms and frequency of outbreaks almost always lessen over time – with or without treatment. So whatever you take or do (or don’t do) will seem effective just because that’s the way herpes works.
When I was single, I chose to use antiviral drugs to protect my partners. Its the only thing that has been shown (in real scientific studies) to reduce viral shedding.
Great question. Good luck.
References :
http://www.natap.org/2004/HIV/092804_08.htm
http://www.natap.org/2004/HIV/051004_05.htm
http://www.natap.org/2004/jan/010504_13.htm