[Question #10576] Herpes suppressive therapy drugs
21 months ago
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I am currently taking valacyclovir 500 mg daily and it has been totally effective in suppressing HSV2. It's a longstanding infection , diagnosed 25 years ago, appears on one buttock only. Outbreaks seem to come in waves where I'll have several in one year and then none for a couple of years. I chose suppression after one of those several-in-a-year periods. Looking at my Medicare Part D drug plan options for 2024, using valacyclovir will cost $325/year more than acyclovir. Are there any advantages to sticking with valacyclovir other than once-a-day dosing? If not, and I can save $325 by taking a pill morning and evening, I'll ask my doctor to change the Rx starting with the first 2024 refill.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
21 months ago
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Acyclovir, 400 mg taken twice daily is just as effective, if not a tiny bit more so, than valacyclovir once a day IF you are a reliable pill taker. I think changing the script to acyclovir is perfectly fine if you can remember to take. a pill twice a day.
Terri
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21 months ago
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Thanks, Terri, I wondered if there were any changes in info from the past, but your answer confirms what I had read in the past. I'll talk with my doctor about the change. If I move from one to the other, would that be continuous coverage or is there a new suppression period? My husband is negative as far as we know. Since I just had a hysterectomy three weeks ago (complex hyperplasia with atypia) there will be no sex for a bit, but the change in meds would come in a few weeks.
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
21 months ago
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No, I don't think there will need to be a new suppression period - just make the change and you'll be good to go!
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Terri
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21 months ago
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Sorry, I'm confused. You responded "No, I then think there will be a need..." ?
Did you mean "I don't think..." ?
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Terri Warren, RN, Nurse Practitioner
21 months ago
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Yes, that's what I meant, I don't think there will be a new suppression period. Sorry!
Terri
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