Which medication is used to manage genital herpes?

Oral acyclovir is commonly used to manage genital herpes because it is an antiviral medication specifically designed to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses, including the herpes simplex virus. When administered, acyclovir works by inhibiting the replication of the virus, which helps to reduce the severity and duration of herpes outbreaks. It is particularly effective when used as soon as symptoms begin or during an outbreak.

Other medications listed do not target herpes simplex virus infections. For instance, oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is designed to prevent HIV infection, topical podofilox is used to treat genital warts, and oral azithromycin is an antibiotic effective against bacterial infections, not viral ones like herpes. Therefore, while each of these options has its own specific use in treating different conditions, acyclovir remains the preferred choice for managing genital herpes due to its targeted antiviral action.