How to get a prescription for herpes with an online consultation?

Table of Content:
Why get a prescription via Miiskin? | How to get a prescription online? | Prescription drugs | Types of herpes treatment | Acyclovir vs Valacyclovir | Famciclovir vs Valacyclovir | FAQ

---

Do you need a prescription for herpes medication?

Yes, herpes medication requires a prescription in the United States. Via Miiskin, your chosen independent, board-certified dermatologists can review your symptoms through a secure online consultation and determine if antiviral treatment is appropriate for you. If so, they’ll provide a prescription that can be sent directly to your local pharmacy—without the need for an in-person visit.

Why should I choose Miiskin to get online treatment for herpes?

Miiskin stands out for online herpes treatment because it combines medical credibility with unmatched convenience. You get direct access to independent, board-certified dermatologists who specialize in skin and sexual health, ensuring expert, personalized care without any hidden agendas. 

Prescriptions for proven antivirals like valacyclovir are issued quickly—often in less than 24 hours—without waiting rooms or awkward face-to-face conversations. Unlike some providers, Miiskin has no medication subscriptions; you simply buy your treatment on-demand when you need it, keeping you in full control. The platform uses secure, HIPAA-compliant technology to protect your privacy at every step, and its streamlined process means you can go from consultation to medication in just a few clicks. Plus, Miiskin offers ongoing support, so you can manage outbreaks or switch to suppressive therapy seamlessly, all from the comfort and discretion of your home.

How to get a herpes medication prescription online?

With Miiskin, getting a herpes prescription online is quick and discreet. You’ll start by answering a few medical questions and securely uploading photos if needed. A licensed dermatologist will review your case—often within 1 to 2 days—and if treatment is recommended, they’ll send a prescription to your chosen pharmacy. It’s a fast, private way to get the care you need from home. Consultation price is around $59 for new patients and around $30 for returning patients.

What are the different prescription drugs for herpes?

Acyclovir (Zovirax)

• Price: Varies ($15 – $30 for Rx generic)
• Form: Oral tablet, capsule, suspension, topical cream/ointment
• Age: Approved for children and adults (dosing varies by age and condition)
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Common Uses: ✅ Genital herpes, cold sores (HSV-1), shingles (VZV), chickenpox
• Dosage:
  • First genital herpes outbreak: 400 mg 3×/day for 7–10 days
  • Recurrent outbreak: 800 mg 2×/day for 5 days or 800 mg 3×/day for 2 days
  • Suppressive therapy: 400 mg 2×/day

Summary: Acyclovir is the original antiviral for herpes. It’s effective but requires more frequent dosing. Available in both oral and topical forms. Best taken at the earliest sign of symptoms.

Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

• Price: Varies ($50 – $80 for Rx generic)
• Form: Oral tablet
• Age: Approved for adults and children ≥12 yrs (cold sores) and ≥2 yrs (chickenpox)
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Common Uses: ✅ Genital herpes, cold sores, shingles and chickenpox
• Dosage:
  • First genital herpes outbreak: 1,000 mg 2×/day for 10 days
  • Recurrent outbreak: 500 mg 2×/day for 3 days or 1,000 mg 1×/day for 1-5 days
  • Suppressive therapy: 500 mg 1×/day (less frequent outbreaks) or 1,000 mg 1×/day (frequent outbreaks)

Summary: A prodrug of acyclovir with better absorption, allowing for less frequent dosing. A common choice for daily suppression and faster symptom relief.

Famciclovir (Famvir)

• Price: Varies ($15 -$60 for Rx generic)
• Form: Oral tablet
  Age: Approved for adults
• Prescriptions: ✅ Yes
• Common Uses: ✅ Genital herpes, shingles, cold sores
• Dosage:
  • Recurrent genital herpes: 1,000 mg 2× in one day (single-day treatment)
  • Alternative: 125 mg 2×/day for 5 days
  • Suppressive therapy: 250 mg 2×/day

Summary: Less commonly used but effective. Offers convenient single-day treatment for recurrent outbreaks. Well tolerated with similar effectiveness to other antivirals.

What are the different types of herpes treatment?

Short-term relief for outbreaks

Dr. Om, a board-certified dermatologist from the Miiskin network says that if you’re experiencing a herpes outbreak, a brief course of antiviral medication (lasting 1–10 days) can ease symptoms and speed up recovery. There are three main prescription treatments available, each with different dosages and durations:

• Acyclovir: Typically taken 2–5 times daily for up to 10 days. It’s the most affordable option but requires more frequent dosing.
• Valacyclovir (Valtrex): A more convenient option, usually taken once or twice daily for 1 to 5 days. It’s a prodrug of acyclovir and has better absorption.
• Famciclovir (Famvir): Can be taken as a single-day, high-dose treatment or as a 5-day course. It’s effective for both first and recurrent outbreaks.

Daily suppressive therapy

Dr. Om also added that for people who have frequent outbreaks or want to reduce the risk of transmitting herpes to a partner, daily suppressive therapy is recommended. This involves taking antiviral medication every day, even when no symptoms are present. Valacyclovir is often taken once daily (500-1,000 mg), while acyclovir and famciclovir are typically taken twice daily. Suppressive therapy can reduce outbreak frequency and lower transmission risk by up to 70%.

Which herpes medication is best?

Below you can find two comparative tables between acyclovir and valacyclovir and famciclovir and valacyclovir so you can decide what suits your needs and preferences.

FAQ about herpes 

Is there a cure for herpes?

Dr. Om says there is currently no cure for herpes. Once the virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2) enters the body, it remains dormant in nerve cells for life, with the potential to reactivate and cause outbreaks. Treatments can manage and reduce symptoms, but they cannot completely remove the virus from the body. Research into vaccines and curative therapies is ongoing.

What medications are used to treat herpes?

According to Dr. Om, the most common medications for herpes are antiviral drugs, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir. These can be prescribed in pill form for systemic relief, or in certain cases, as topical creams for localized symptoms. All three work similarly but may differ in dosing schedules and cost.

How do antivirals work?

Dr. Om explains that antivirals work by interfering with the virus’s ability to replicate its DNA, which slows down the spread of the infection in the body. This helps shorten the length of outbreaks, reduces the severity of symptoms, and, when taken daily, can lower the likelihood of transmission to others.

Can herpes go away without treatment?

Dr. Om confirms that herpes outbreaks eventually clear up on their own without treatment, typically within 1–2 weeks for oral herpes and 2–3 weeks for genital herpes. However, treatment can greatly speed up recovery, reduce pain, and decrease the risk of spreading the virus during an outbreak.

What is herpes suppressive therapy?

Dr. Om explains that suppressive therapy involves taking antiviral medication every day to prevent or significantly reduce the frequency of herpes outbreaks. This approach is especially helpful for people who experience frequent recurrences or who are in relationships where reducing transmission risk is a priority.

Who should consider suppressive herpes therapy?

According to Dr. Om, suppressive therapy is most commonly recommended for people who have more than six outbreaks a year or who have particularly severe episodes. It’s also a good choice for those with sexual partners who are HSV-negative, as it can significantly reduce the chances of passing the virus.

How long do herpes outbreaks last with treatment?

Dr. Om says that when treated promptly with antivirals, herpes outbreaks can be shortened by 2–4 days compared to untreated episodes. This means that symptoms like pain, itching, and sores may heal in about a week or less, depending on how early treatment begins.

Can topical creams help?

According to Dr. Om, prescription topical antiviral creams, such as acyclovir ointment, can help reduce discomfort from oral or genital sores when applied early in the outbreak. However, they are generally less effective than oral medications for shortening the outbreak or preventing recurrences.

Can herpes be treated during pregnancy?

Dr. Om explains that antiviral medications like acyclovir are often prescribed during pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, to reduce the risk of passing the virus to the baby during delivery. Doctors closely monitor pregnant patients with herpes to decide whether a cesarean section might be necessary if active lesions are present.

Do natural remedies cure herpes?

Dr. Om explains that there aren’t any natural remedies that can cure herpes, but some may help relieve symptoms. For example, cold compresses, aloe vera, or lysine supplements may help some people feel better during an outbreak. However, these should not replace antiviral medication, which is the only proven method to control the virus.

Can herpes be prevented entirely with treatment?

According to Dr Om, even with daily antiviral medication, it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of transmission. However, suppressive therapy can lower the risk by around 50%, and combining it with condom use and avoiding sex during outbreaks offers the highest level of protection currently available.

Are there side effects of antiviral drugs?

Dr. Om explains that antiviral medications are generally well-tolerated, but side effects can occur. Common ones include headache, nausea, and fatigue. Rarely, high doses or long-term use can cause kidney problems, especially in people with pre-existing kidney conditions, so monitoring is sometimes recommended.

Can you build resistance to antivirals?

Dr. Om explains that resistance to herpes antivirals is rare in healthy individuals, but it can occur in people with weakened immune systems, such as those with HIV or undergoing chemotherapy. In these cases, doctors may need to use alternative treatments or higher doses.

How soon should you start treatment during an outbreak?

Dr. Om recommends starting antiviral treatment as early as possible—ideally within 24 hours of the first signs like tingling, itching, or redness—provides the best chance of shortening the outbreak and reducing symptoms. Some people keep a prescription on hand to start quickly when symptoms appear.

Is there a herpes vaccine?

Dr. Om says there isn’t a herpes vaccine available for public use, but multiple research teams are working on developing one. Some experimental vaccines have shown promise in early studies, but more testing is needed before they can be approved for widespread use.

---