What Are The Long Term Side Effects Of Taking Acyclovir?

Posted on Mon, 30 Mar 2015

Question: What is the best option of suppress therapy for HSV2. If I take Acyclovir 500 Mg a day for entire life time , What are incurable or in treatable complication arise ? The main reason is my first episode came in the thigh area . Most probably it will recurrence there , if I don't take suppress therapy. Most probably infect my wife even if I wear condom, since the viral shedding will start without symptoms in that place .

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Valacyclovir is good choice for suppressive treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Welcome back.

Valacyclovir is best choice for suppressive treatment of genital herpes.

The recommended duration of suppressive treatment is 6-12 months.

Life long treatment is not recommended.

Valacyclovir can have serious adverse reactions like Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, Acute renal failure and Central nervous system side effects.
These complications can be life threatening.

Let me know your email Id.
I will forward you a few links where you can find specially designed undergarments that would prevent all skin to skin contact including between pubic region and thighs Or in other words these would ensure that there is no skin to skin contact at all during a sexual intercourse.

Regards

Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar