Antivirals
Antiviral tablets, capsules and cream for herpes, shingles, cold sores, influenza and hepatitis B and C, from aciclovir and valacyclovir to Tamiflu, entecavir and sofosbuvir combinations.
Acyclovir Cream 5%
Aciclovir
5/10g
Acyclovir Cream 5% is an antiviral cream for cold sores on the lip and around the mouth, best started at the first tingle, in 5g and 10g tubes.
Epivir Hbv
Lamivudine
100mg
Epivir Hbv comes as generic lamivudine 100mg tablets, a once-daily antiviral for chronic hepatitis B. Order 30 to 180 tablets.
Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir
500/1000mg
Valacyclovir comes as 500mg and 1000mg tablets for cold sores, genital herpes and shingles, sold in packs of 12 to 90 and best started at the first tingle.
Cold sores, genital herpes and shingles
The herpes family of medicines is the biggest part of this category. Aciclovir is the longest-established: Aciclovir and Zovirax tablets come in 200mg, 400mg and 800mg, listed for herpes simplex, shingles and, for the plain tablet, chickenpox. For a cold sore that has only just begun to tingle, Acyclovir Cream 5% is the topical version, applied several times a day.
Valacyclovir turns into aciclovir in the body but needs fewer doses in a day, which many people prefer. Valacyclovir and Valtrex are 500mg and 1000mg tablets for cold sores, genital herpes and shingles. Famciclovir is a third option, as Famvir (also sold as plain famciclovir) in 250mg and 500mg, listed for shingles and genital herpes. Starting any of these within a day or two of the first symptoms gives the best result, and drinking plenty of water keeps the kidneys clear of the drug.
Caught the flu early?
If the fever and aches came on overnight, timing is everything with Tamiflu: it shortens flu only when the first 75mg capsule of oseltamivir goes down within 48 hours. Someone who has been in close contact with a flu case can take it too, to head the infection off.
Food softens the nausea and vomiting it can cause. It is not a stand-in for the yearly flu vaccine.
Hepatitis B and lamivudine
Hepatitis B is a long-term liver infection, and treatment is usually continued for years. Baraclude is entecavir 0.5mg, taken on an empty stomach, at least two hours after a meal and two hours before the next one. Epivir Hbv is lamivudine 100mg, the hepatitis B strength, while Epivir at 150mg is the HIV strength of the same ingredient; the HIV category holds the rest of that range.
Hepatitis C combinations
Modern hepatitis C tablets attack the virus directly and are taken for a set course, commonly 8 to 24 weeks. Sofosbuvir and Sovaldi are the 400mg base of most regimens. Harvoni combines it with ledipasvir (90mg and 400mg in one tablet), Velpanat pairs it with velpatasvir (400mg and 100mg), and Daclatasvir with Daklinza is a 60mg tablet used alongside sofosbuvir. Success is judged by a blood test for the virus about 12 weeks after the last tablet. Sofosbuvir-based tablets can cause a dangerously slow heartbeat if taken with amiodarone.
Ribavirin is the older partner drug, sold as Copegus tablets (100mg) and Rebetol capsules (200mg). It is never used alone for hepatitis C, and it must not be taken in pregnancy because it can harm an unborn baby.
Sources
- Treating Flu with Antiviral Drugs - CDC — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Influenza antiviral drugs — World Health Organization (WHO)
Which antiviral medicines can I buy online in Hong Kong?
PockDose sells aciclovir and generic Zovirax tablets, valacyclovir and generic Valtrex tablets, aciclovir cream for cold sores, oseltamivir as generic Tamiflu, and hepatitis C treatments including sofosbuvir as generic Sovaldi, ledipasvir plus sofosbuvir as generic Harvoni, plus Velpanat. Tablets cover herpes, influenza and hepatitis C.
Which aciclovir and valacyclovir forms are listed?
Aciclovir comes as tablets in several strengths and also as a cream for cold sores. Valacyclovir comes as tablets in a range of strengths. Both are available as generic versions, and aciclovir also as generic Zovirax, valacyclovir as generic Valtrex. For hepatitis C there are combination tablets such as generic Harvoni and Velpanat.
Is delivery discreet for antiviral medicines to Hong Kong?
Orders arrive in plain, unbranded packaging. Tracked courier takes 5–9 business days; standard airmail takes 14–21 business days and is untracked. See delivery and ordering details.
What is the difference between aciclovir and valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is converted to aciclovir once swallowed, so the body gets the same active medicine from fewer tablets a day. Aciclovir comes in 200mg, 400mg and 800mg, valacyclovir in 500mg and 1000mg.
How soon should Tamiflu be started?
Within 48 hours of the first flu symptoms, since later starts do little to shorten the illness. The 75mg capsule is also used after close contact with someone who has influenza.
What is the difference between Sovaldi and Harvoni?
Sovaldi is sofosbuvir alone at 400mg. Harvoni adds a second ingredient, ledipasvir, in the same tablet, so it is a single-tablet combination for chronic hepatitis C.
How do I use acyclovir cream on a cold sore?
Wash your hands, then dab a thin layer on the sore and the skin around it as soon as you feel the tingle, repeating several times a day for the days the pack directs. Wash your hands again afterwards.