Genital herpes
The regional formulary will not cover all eventualities for infections medicines choices. As with any condition; patient specific factors and sensitivities need to be considered. Please consider this regional formulary advice alongside any relevant local Board guidelines.
Treatment of genital herpes
Treatment should start within 5 days of new lesions or systemic symptoms.
Aciclovir
Aciclovir 400mg tablets
400mg every 8 hours for 5 days.
Prescribing Notes:
- With any genital symptoms consider a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis.
History Notes
30/07/2026
Regional formulary chapter launched.
Treatment of recurrent genital herpes
Mild recurrences should be treated symptomatically.
Intolerable recurrences.
Aciclovir
Aciclovir 800mg tablets
800mg every 8 hours for 2 days.
Prescribing Notes:
- Mild recurrences: treat symptomatically with saline bathing and analgesia.
- Frequent recurrences >6 per year, refer to BASHH guideline on anogenital herpes. Can consider suppressive treatment with aciclovir 400mg twice daily for 6-12 months then review.
- With any genital symptoms consider a sexually transmitted infection (STI) test including chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis.
History Notes
30/07/2026
Regional formulary chapter launched.