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Same Day Order & Collect

You can collect your medication in-store the same day (at any Superdrug store that has a pharmacy) or have it posted to you. All medicines are dispatched centrally from the Superdrug Pharmacy. More Information »

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Genital Herpes Treatment

Order antiviral treatments for herpes

Genital Herpes Treatment

Order antiviral treatments for herpes

Superdrug pharmacy bag next to a computer mouse

If you have genital herpes and need treatment for when outbreaks occur you can place a prescription request for the antiviral medication Aciclovir, Valaciclovir or Famciclovir using our online service.

If you suffer from six or more outbreaks of herpes a year or find your outbreaks particularly stressful, then you may wish to order herpes suppression therapy. This is a low dose of the antiviral genital herpes treatment which is taken every day to help prevent future outbreaks of herpes.

If you wish to confirm whether you are a carrier of herpes, order a test online now.

To carry out the home test follow these steps:

  • Place an order and get your kit delivered to your door (delivery is free)
  • Collect your sample by following the instructions in the test kit
  • Send your samples to our UK-based, accredited partner laboratory (postage is free) 
  • Once your results are available (in 2 to 3 days), our doctors will review your results  
  • One of our doctors will contact you, via a secure and confidential message in your patient account, to let you know your results and give you advice and support on what to do next

In some cases, the doctor may need to ask for more information. They may contact you by phone, so make sure your telephone number is up to date in your online account.

Due to a national increase in coronavirus testing, our test lab partners are experiencing delays of up to 3-4 days when delivering results from other test kits. We ask for your patience and compassion during these unprecedented times, and we're deeply grateful for your continued understanding.

Last reviewed: 21/5/2020 by Dr Simran Deo

To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.

Start Order - Treatment

Start Order - Test Kit

Medication Pack Size Price
Aciclovir 1st outbreak - up to 10 days (30 tablets) £25.00
Aciclovir Repeat outbreaks - 5 days each, 1/2/3 courses (15/30/45 tablets) from £25.00
Aciclovir Suppression treatment - 3 months (168 tablets) £49.00
Valaciclovir 1st outbreak - up to 10 days (20 tablets) £75.00
Valaciclovir Repeat outbreaks - 3 to 5 days each, 1/2/3 courses (10/20/30 tablets) from £40.00
Valaciclovir Suppression treatment - 3 months (84 tablets) £220.00
Famciclovir Outbreak - 1 day each, 1/2/3 courses (4/8/12 tablets) from £95.00
Herpes Test Kit 1 test kit £80.00


Click & Collect: free (available for next-day collection in Superdrug Pharmacies)
Next Day Delivery: £3.99

Dispensing and standard delivery included.

How our service works

Placing your order
  • Complete a short questionnaire about your health. 
  • Order and pay for your treatment. 
  • A Superdrug Online Doctor will check the treatment is appropriate for you.
Delivery information
  • Orders received before 4pm will be sent out the same day. Orders received after 4pm will be sent out the next working day.
  • Your treatment will be posted to you via your choice of first class or next day delivery.
  • This will be contactless delivery. Someone will need to be home to tell the courier that they can sign on your behalf or they won't be able to deliver your parcel.
  • The treatment arrives in plain, discreet packaging.
Side effects

Common side effects from Aciclovir can include:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Feeling sick
  • Diarrhoea
  • Stomach pain
  • Skin rashes or itching
  • Tiredness

Common side effects from Valaciclovir can include:

  • Headaches
  • Feeling sick
Alternative treatments

The symptoms of herpes outbreaks will usually go away by themselves within 10 days, but they can be very painful during that time.

Alternatives to the antiviral medicines we offer include using an anaesthetic gel to ease the pain or soaking the affected skin with salt water.

If you would like to discuss your condition with one of our doctors, you can book a telephone consultation. Our doctors will be able to provide personalised advice on how to cope with genital herpes.

Treating Genital Herpes

Can I have sex if I am having a herpes outbreak?

The herpes virus is particularly easy to pass on during an active outbreak. You should avoid having sex until all lesions have healed completely. If you do choose to have sex in the meantime, you should use a condom. 

Using a condom will help reduce the risk of transmission. As condoms only cover the penis and leave other areas of your and your partner’s skin exposed, there is still a risk that you could transmit the virus, even when using a condom, so experts advise to avoid sexual contact altogether when you are having an outbreak.

Once you carry the virus, there is always a risk that you could pass it on to a partner, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms. It is best to continue using a condom once your lesions have healed to reduce the risk of transmission.

For personalised advice, speak to one of our doctors in a telephone consultation.

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Herpes treatment options

Herpes is an infection caused by one of two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 or HSV-2).  The virus causes an outbreak of blisters which are common herpes symptoms. Treatment is with antiviral medication to help prevent and control outbreaks. If you’re unsure your symptoms are due to herpes, you can take a genital herpes test to confirm your diagnosis.

There are 3 main types of treatment for genital herpes:

Aciclovir tablets

Valaciclovir tablets

Famciclovir tablets

Aciclovir tablets can be used for both outbreaks of genital herpes and cold sores, as well as for suppression. The dose and length of course can vary depending on whether you are using it to treat an outbreak or to prevent future outbreaks from occurring. 

Valaciclovir tablets  are known as a pro-drug, and become Aciclovir in your body. Like aciclovir tablets they can be used to treat acute outbreaks or for suppression.

Famciclovir tablets can be used if treatment with Aciclovir or Valaciclovir has been unsuccessful.

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Can I have sex while taking Aciclovir?

The herpes virus is particularly easy to pass on during an active outbreak even while you are on treatment. The advice is that you should avoid having sex until all lesions have healed completely. If you do decide to have sex anyway it is best to use a condom. 

Using a condom and being on treatment will help reduce the risk of transmission, but, as condoms only cover the penis and leave other areas of your and your partner’s skin exposed, there is still a risk that you could transmit the virus, even when using a condom, so experts advise to avoid sexual contact altogether when you are having an outbreak.

Once you carry the virus, there is always a risk that you could pass it on to a partner, regardless of whether you are experiencing symptoms, but suppression treatment has been found to reduce the risk of transmission to your partner. It is best though, to continue using a condom even once your lesions have healed to reduce the risk of transmission. 

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Can you cure herpes?

Unfortunately herpes can not be cured. The virus stays inactive in your body and activates at different times to cause outbreaks of symptoms. Unlike with bacterial infections that can be fully cured with antibiotics, antiviral medications for herpes can only help manage the outbreaks or suppress the virus.

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How is oral herpes treatment different from genital herpes treatment?

Both genital and oral herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are 2 types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. These are both known to cause genital herpes and cold sores (oral herpes), although HSV-2 is more commonly associated with genital herpes and HSV-1, with oral herpes. Both types of herpes can be treated with antiviral tablets, which you can start as soon as you feel an outbreak coming on. For cold sores you can also use Aciclovir cream, which has the same active ingredient as the Aciclovir tablets, but is put directly onto the  cold sore. Aciclovir cream is not a recommended treatment for genital herpes.

Before starting any treatment for a herpes outbreak, or if you have any new symptoms, you should always check with a doctor to make sure you’re using the right treatment.

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Can you get genital herpes treatment over-the-counter?

No. The anti-viral tablets cannot be bought over-the-counter. All herpes tablets are prescription-only, so you will need to see your GP or order them from an online doctor service like Superdrug Online Doctor.

You can use painkillers and numbing medications (like lidocaine gel) to help you with any pain or discomfort you may be getting from your genital herpes.

If you are suffering from cold sores you can buy Aciclovir cream over-the-counter which can help with symptom of oral herpes, but will not help with genital herpes.

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Sources

Aciclovor Tablets BP 400mg EMC [accessed 18 June 2018]

Famciclovir 125 mg, 250 mg, 500 mg film-coated tablets (2018) EMC [accessed 18 June 2018]

Genital Herpes (2019) NHS [accessed 18 June 2018]

Oral antiviral therapy for prevention of genital herpes outbreaks in immunocompetent and nonpregnant patients (2014) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews [accessed 18 June 2018]

Valaciclovir 500mg film-coated tablets EMC [accessed 18 June 2018]

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To place an order, fill in a brief questionnaire. One of our doctors will review your order and prescribe a treatment if suitable. Existing patients should login first.

Start Order - Treatment

Start Order - Test Kit

Customer reviews
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4.8 Excellent
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    by , 30th Dec 2020
    Speedy and reliable service.
  • 5
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    by , 24th Dec 2020
    Quick delivery ,very helpful...product ..very good
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Dec 2020
    Excellent service, super fast and efficient delivery
  • 5
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    by , 21st Dec 2020
    So handy to be able to order my medicine without needing a doctor's appointment. Arrived promptly and did the job!
  • 5
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    by , 9th Dec 2020
    Ordered some tablet for cold sore and that was with me in a few days but hate to email the dr to hurry it up
  • 5
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    by , 6th Dec 2020
    Satisfied with it
  • 5
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    by , 20th Nov 2020
    The product had work really well. Very happy with the results
  • 5
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    by , 19th Nov 2020
    Good, easy to use service
  • 5
    5
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    5
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    by , 18th Nov 2020
    Excellent way to access non emergency medication without having to take up valuable GP surgery time . Easy to use . Fast and efficient
  • 5
    5
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    by , 16th Nov 2020
    Quick and easy
  • 5
    5
    5
    5
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    by , 14th Nov 2020
    Thank you came quickly when needed :)
  • 5
    5
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    by , 11th Nov 2020
    Good quality tablets, the identical type that you would get from Doctor/pharmacy.
  • 5
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    by , 4th Nov 2020
    Great service very quick delivery
  • 5
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    by , 3rd Nov 2020
    Great service and on time
  • 5
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    by , 1st Nov 2020
    excellent service thank you
  • 5
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    by , 30th Oct 2020
    Superdrug’s online prescription service for Acyclovir for cold sores is fast, efficient and excellent
  • 5
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    by , 26th Oct 2020
    Quick no fuss excellent
  • 5
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    by , 24th Oct 2020
    Easy and quick
  • 5
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    by , 20th Oct 2020
    Fabulous service
  • 5
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    by , 12th Oct 2020
    This is a brilliant service.. Better than my doctors who made it darn near impossible for me to get the help and medication I needed thank you super drug doctors highly recommend
  • 5
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    by , 2nd Oct 2020
    Very good fast delivery thank you
  • 5
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    by , 27th Sep 2020
    Having suffered with cold sores, what seemed like every other week, for several years and with the normal creams etc never working, a friend recommended this product. I have to say I cant remember, since taking these, ever having a cold sore. As a preventative product they have been perfect.
  • 5
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    by , 23rd Sep 2020
    It did its job ,bit expensive but arrived discreet packaging
  • 5
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    by , 6th Sep 2020
    ..........
  • 5
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    by , 3rd Sep 2020
    Quick, easy and efficient service. Simple procedure. Very happy
  • 5
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    by , 2nd Sep 2020
    Excellent service
  • 5
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    5
    by , 24th Aug 2020
    Quick and easy to order - I placed the order at 7am and collected after 12pm on the same day. It helped that I had ordered this item before. Price was a bit expensive, but I suppose you pay for the convenience of being able to collect almost ASAP.
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Aug 2020
    Not applicable
  • 5
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    by , 20th Aug 2020
    Super quick and easy process, order was approved straight away and I was informed that I can contact the online doctor at anytime for advice. I have been trying for months to get the medication I need via a GP and with no success so I 100% recommend this service!
  • 5
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    by , 19th Aug 2020
    Quick and easy to use website and fast delivery would definitely use again very happy customer
  • 5
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    by , 4th Aug 2020
    Great service .... quick prompt , hassle free . wish it had been available years ago .
  • 5
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    5
    by , 30th Jul 2020
    Good product, quick delivery. Only problem I have, for some reason, is that I can't order on my phone, iPad or laptop so have to get my sister to order them for me.
  • 5
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    by , 27th Jul 2020
    Swift and discrete service
  • 5
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    by , 23rd Jul 2020
    No issues at all, completed the form, very confidential, the doctor reviewed my form swiftly. The medication arrived the next day. Can’t ask for more.
  • 5
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    by , 8th Jul 2020
    Quick and easy
  • 5
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    5
    by , 7th Jul 2020
    I have not received notification on the delivery of the product. It has been a week. Expensive service and worse than my GP.
  • 5
    5
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    5
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    by , 6th Jul 2020
    Good service
  • 5
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    by , 3rd Jul 2020
    Using the Superdrug online doctor was a brilliant help in COVID-19 times, as I did not want to be sitting round a busy doctors or waiting room I just emailed them spoke to them online got my medication sent to my door it might be a tad pricey though I felt it was worth paying the extra cost for my safety and others
  • 5
    5
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    by , 2nd Jul 2020
    I can't account for the product I am not a pharmacy, but the service was excellent received in a couple of days thank you.
  • 5
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    by , 4th Jun 2020
    Very happy with my purchase.
  • 5
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    by , 19th May 2020
    It is wonderful to be able to get my cold sore tablets this way, quick easy safe and saves me wasting my time, the local pharmacy and gps time. Can’t praise this service enough.
  • 5
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    by , 9th Apr 2020
    My life was miserable with painful, ugly cold sores, these tablets are incredible!! Just wish doctors would prescribe them! Thank you superdrug!
  • 5
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    by , 4th Apr 2020
    Works but overpriced
  • 5
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    by , 31st Mar 2020
    Easy and quick to order prescription and a speedy delivery time. Brilliant!
  • 5
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    by , 26th Mar 2020
    Quick and easy
  • 5
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    by , 23rd Mar 2020
    superfast delivery and no hassle ordering. Recommended.
  • 5
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    by , 19th Mar 2020
    Preventative medication very good service
  • 5
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    by , 11th Feb 2020
    Very easy and efficient process. Fast delivery too
  • 5
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    by , 4th Feb 2020
    This is a quick and easy way to order a prescription, you receive your product within days of placing your order, to reorder is very simple. Excellent service 😀
  • 5
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    by , 14th Dec 2019
    It does the job it's supposed to. The service is excellent with orders processed and delivered quickly.
  • 5
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    by , 13th Dec 2019
    Vert happy tganks
  • 5
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    by , 11th Dec 2019
    Great discrete service
  • 5
    5
    5
    5
    5
    by , 19th Nov 2019
    Efficient service,saves on a lot of time waiting in ques!
  • 5
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    by , 15th Nov 2019
    From my limited experience, I cant rate this company highly enough. Their prescription service process is first rate with the necessary checks carried out, and their follow up service is impressive. Highly recommend.
  • 5
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    by , 10th Nov 2019
    Excellent communication
  • 5
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    by , 27th Oct 2019
    Very good product
  • 5
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    by , 18th Oct 2019
    value for money is a three just because if i had been more organised i would have gone to the docs and got it for free but was a super handy service when i was in a pickle so overall very happy :-)
  • 5
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    by , 17th Oct 2019
    Absolutely fantastic, worked a treat. Would definitely use this product again!
  • 5
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    by , 17th Oct 2019
    Product was as I expected, good. Service was great and I picked them up in no time at all. Good aftercare if needed
  • 5
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    by , 16th Oct 2019
    Very good service and customer care is superb. I received my medicine before the day I expected. I would always use their service in future and will recommend every one to also try. I am very grateful for their team attention to execute my order so speadily without any hassles.
  • 5
    5
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    by , 12th Oct 2019
    Quick prompt service - thank you
  • 5
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    5
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    by , 10th Oct 2019
    Good product and service
  • 5
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    by , 9th Oct 2019
    very speedy delivery, no problems. thanks
  • 5
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    by , 3rd Oct 2019
    It worked as I was told
  • 5
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    by , 28th Sep 2019
    Very helpful and such an easy process
  • 5
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    by , 15th Sep 2019
    Exactly what I ordered
  • 5
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    by , 14th Sep 2019
    Very helpful and alleviates symptoms quickly.
  • 5
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    by , 28th Aug 2019
    It did what I expected it to do
  • 5
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    by , 25th Aug 2019
    Brilliant service save me so much time and all the stress of trying to get s doc app
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Aug 2019
    Treatment was quick and effective
  • 5
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    by , 21st Aug 2019
    Great service, quick and efficient.
  • 5
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    by , 9th Aug 2019
    Effective do far excellent service
  • 5
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    by , 12th Jul 2019
    It done the job
  • 5
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    by , 11th Jun 2019
    Very satisfied with this site safely and quick with delivery
  • 5
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    by , 27th Apr 2019
    Fast and efficient help from the doctor when needed
  • 5
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    by , 23rd Apr 2019
    Quick service
  • 5
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    by , 10th Apr 2019
    The service was fantastic and the tablets got rid of my cold sore in about 3 days. Amazing!
  • 5
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    by , 6th Apr 2019
    Great service, discreet and fast delivery. Slightly expensive for what it is.
  • 5
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    by , 6th Apr 2019
    Very good service
  • 5
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    by , 4th Apr 2019
    Happy with the service
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Mar 2019
    Amazing! Life saver, so happy with this service
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Mar 2019
    Better than cream.
  • 5
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    by , 22nd Mar 2019
    Excellent
  • 5
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    by , 21st Mar 2019
    Excellent
  • 5
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    by , 21st Mar 2019
    Quick and snag free.
  • 5
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    by , 11th Mar 2019
    Very easy and convenient. Clear and prompt communication with a doctor. Will definitely use again.
  • 5
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    by , 2nd Jan 2019
    Product prescribed by Superdrug Doctors did what it was supposed to.
  • 5
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    by , 1st Jan 2019
    Great service Thank you
  • 5
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    by , 31st Dec 2018
    Worked after 2 days. Really fast removal of the cold sores in the affected area.
  • 5
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    by , 29th Dec 2018
    Good service but had to sign for medication which I hadn't realised and was at work when it was attempted to be delivered so had to go to local sorting office which meant i was a day later starting treatment
  • 5
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    by , 21st Dec 2018
    It should include enough tablets for the whole period of the treatment. Poor labeling as well
  • 5
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    by , 15th Dec 2018
    Meds were ordered and delivered promptly. The medical doctor Superdrug service is an amazing online prescription service that I only discovered by chance. I would highly recommend
  • 5
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    by , 7th Dec 2018
    Great quick service. You can get this product free on NHS but they are so stingy when prescribing them. Prevented a coldsore and still no sign of any coming. Happy 😃. acyclovir
  • 5
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    by , 1st Dec 2018
    Fast service, cant fault I am 100% happy. Will definitely use again
  • 5
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    by , 28th Nov 2018
    Not seen any improvement.
  • 5
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    by , 13th Nov 2018
    Brilliant service thanks for offering it!
  • 5
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    by , 11th Nov 2018
    Very easy to order. Product was ready to collect on the same day Tablets were easy to swallow, no drowsiness, nausea, or any other side affects. Most importantly the tablets have worked.
  • 5
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    by , 8th Nov 2018
    Great service, reassuring and convenient.
  • 5
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    by , 8th Nov 2018
    Got it on time and worked great
  • 5
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    by , 2nd Nov 2018
    Good,but took a little longer than I expected due to queries from the doctors.

There are currently no reviews with this rating.

100 reviews in total << >>

Disclaimer
The views expressed are those of our customers. If you require advice on a condition or treatment, please contact one of our doctors via your account. Please note: Due to advertising regulations, not all product reviews can be displayed.

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