Hesperian Health Guides
Antiviral Medicines
Acyclovir
Acyclovir is a medicine used to fight herpes viruses. Acyclovir does not cure herpes, but it makes the sores less painful and keeps them from spreading.
Side effects
Acyclovir may sometimes cause headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting.
Important
Do not take if you have kidney problems.
How to use
Start acyclovir as soon as signs start to appear.
For first time outbreak of genital herpes:
Give 400 mg by mouth, 3 times a day for 7 to 10 days
OR
Give 200 mg by mouth, 5 times a day for 5 days
OR
If you have 6 or more outbreaks in a year, talk with an experienced health worker to see if taking acyclovir for a longer period will help.
This page was updated:05 Jan 2024