Dr Catriona Maybury
Medical Director | MBChB, MRCP, PhD
GMC: 6130975
- Stops the herpes virus reproducing
- Treats current outbreaks in 5 days
- Can be taken daily to suppress future outbreaks by up to 80%
Start by filling out a 2 minute consultation form. We’ll then show our recommended herpes treatments and help you choose the best option.
Start by filling out a 2 minute consultation form. We’ll then show our recommended herpes treatments and help you choose the best option.
- UK registered pharmacy
- UK licensed treatments
- Trusted by over 1 million people
About herpes treatment
Antiviral medicines are used to treat genital herpes in adults.
It works by stopping the virus from replicating. The herpes
virus replicates very early in the infection, so tablets works
best when you take them as soon as symptoms first appear. If you
have frequent outbreaks of genital herpes, you can also take
these tablets as a suppression treatment to help prevent future
flare-ups.
To treat a new outbreak of genital herpes, take one 400mg tablet, three times a day, for five days.
For suppression treatment, take one 400mg tablet twice a day for up to one year, then reassess frequency of outbreaks.
If you suffer from six or more genital herpes outbreaks per year, suppression treatment may be suitable for you. This is when you take antiviral medication daily — rather than only when you have symptoms — to prevent recurrent outbreaks. Research suggests that suppression treatment can reduce the number of outbreaks by 70–80%, and cause symptoms to be both milder and shorter.
Like all medications, antivirals can cause side effects. These include:
- headaches
- feeling dizzy
- feeling or being sick
- stomach pains
- rash
- skin reaction after exposure to light (photosensitivity)
- itching
- feeling tired
- unexplained fever (high temperature) and feeling faint, especially when standing up
Always read the patient information leaflet before starting treatment.View patient information leaflet
35,000+ verified customer reviews
“Enjoying a symptom free life”
I have suffered for years and am now enjoying a symptom free life.
“Highly recommended”
Excellent buying experience. Very quick and efficient delivery service too.
“Would highly recommend”
Excellent. Prompt, efficient and discreet.
“Good prices”
Good prices, communication and speed of delivery.
“Able to live normally”
Works very quick and helps with being able to live normally without outbreaks.
“Excellent quick and reliable”
Found this site as needed particular medication without having to go to usual doctors or over the counter. Very quick and easy to...
“Competely changed my life”
It’s a really good treatment, it’s completely changed my life. I would highly recommend you give it a go.
“They’re amazing”
Brilliant, so easy to use they send everything really quick
“Successfully prevents flare-ups”
Successfully prevents flare-ups, including the prodome which is the most uncomfortable bit IMHO.
“10/10”
Great prices and service. Delivered on time, every time. 10/10.
“First time ordering. Impressed.”
First time ordering. Picked standard delivery to get before Sat. Got within 1 day of ordering!
“Couldn’t be without these”
These have been great when I have a breakout couldn’t be without these or MedExpress.
“Great service”
Superb service and very fast delivery
“Feeling better”
Does what you are told to expect suppresses your virus thus jeering you in better health! Feeling better too! X
“I would recommend”
Great, quick, professional and affordable. I would recommend them to anyone.
Treatment facts
- Medicine typeAntiviral
- Treat current outbreaks1 tablet, 3 times a day, for 5 days
- Suppress future outbreaks1 tablet, 2 times a day, for up to 1 year
- Suppression efficacyReduces outbreaks by 70–80%
- Strength400mg
How it works
1. Answer quick questions
No GP or pharmacy visits, just a quick online consultation.
1. Answer quick questions
No GP or pharmacy visits, just a quick online consultation. Share your symptoms and a brief medical history in around two minutes, all from the comfort of your home.
2. Choose your treatment
Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications.
2. Choose your treatment
Select from our recommended UK-licensed medications. You don’t need an existing prescription.
3. Get it delivered fast
We’ll deliver direct to you, as quickly as tomorrow.
3. Get it delivered fast
We’ll deliver direct to you, as quickly as tomorrow. We always use discreet logo-free packaging, so only you know what’s inside. After it arrives, get ongoing support from our team.
Express delivery
- Royal Mail 1st Class£2.90Usually delivered the next working day
- Special Delivery 1pm£5.95Guaranteed next working day by 1pm
- Special Delivery 9am£13.95Guaranteed next working day by 9am
- Post Office Collection£3.95Usually collection next working day
- Same Day (London)from £4.95Cost calculated at checkout
Why use MedExpress?
Trusted by more than 675,000 customers since 2013
London based licenced pharmacy
Fast, flexible delivery options
Backed by our experienced UK-based medical team
Declan Lismore
Superintendent Pharmacist | MPharm, MRPharmS, MPSI, PGDip
GPhC: 2073498
Dr Paul Davis
Senior GP and Medical Lead | BSc MB BS DCH MRCGP
Dr Safia Hussain
GP Lead | MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DRCOG, PGDip Clinical Dermatology
Authored by Dr Clare Morrison. Last reviewed 01 February 2025 by Liyya Patel and Siobhan Titre.