Herpes – Genital (HSV) / Adolescents and Adults

Acyclovir† 400 mg orally 3 times/day for 7–10 days 

OR 

Famciclovir 250 mg orally 3 times/day for 7–10 days  

OR 

Valacyclovir 1 g orally 2 times/day for 7–10 days  

* Treatment can be extended if healing is incomplete after 10 days of  therapy.  

† Acyclovir 200 mg orally 5 times/day is also effective but is not  recommended because of the frequency of dosing. 

None

Acyclovir 800 mg orally 2 times/day for 5 days 

OR 

Acyclovir 800 mg orally 3 times/day for 2 days 

OR 

Famciclovir 1 g orally 2 times/day for 1 day 

OR 

Famciclovir 500 mg orally once, followed by 250 mg 2 times/day for 2 days 

OR 

Famciclovir 125 mg orally 2 times/day for 5 days 

OR 

Valacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day for 3 days 

OR 

Valacyclovir 1 g orally once daily for 5 days 

*Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day for 5 days is also effective but is not recommended because of frequency of dosing. 

None

Acyclovir 400 mg orally 2 times/day 

 OR 

Valacyclovir 500 mg orally once a day* 

 OR 

Valacyclovir 1 g orally once a day 

 OR 

Famciclovir 250 mg orally 2 times/day 

* Valacyclovir 500 mg once a day might be less effective than other valacyclovir or acyclovir dosing regimens for persons who have frequent recurrences (i.e., ≥10 episodes/year) 

None