[Question #10576] Herpes suppressive therapy drugs

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21 months ago
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
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
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
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!

Terri
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21 months ago
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
Yes, that's what I meant, I don't think there will be a new suppression period. Sorry!

Terri
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