The continuing evolution of antiviral therapy for recurrent genital herpes: 1-day patient-initiated treatment with famciclovir.

Increased understanding of the clinical and virological characteristics of recurrent genital herpes simplex virus infection in healthy adults, recognition of the critical importance of early initiation of therapy, which is best achieved by self-initiated therapy, and an appreciation of the excellent tolerance and safety of relatively high doses of available antiviral drugs have facilitated refinements to treatment regimens that are more convenient as well as efficacious and well-tolerated. This paper reviews the progressive convergence of these concepts to an efficacious, well-tolerated, 1-day, patient-initiated regimen for treating episodes of recurrent genital herpes.