From the Research
The recommended dose of lysine for herpes labialis is 1,000 mg daily, as suggested by the study 1, which found that lysine prophylaxis had no effect on the recurrence rate of herpes simplex, but significantly more patients were recurrence-free during lysine than during placebo treatment. When considering the treatment of herpes labialis, it's essential to prioritize antiviral therapy, as it shortens the duration of pain and discomfort, hastens healing, and reduces viral shedding, as stated in the study 2. Some key points to consider when using lysine for herpes labialis include:
- Taking lysine supplements with meals to improve absorption and reduce potential stomach upset
- Continuing the regimen consistently for best results
- Lysine works by competing with arginine, an amino acid that herpes viruses need for replication
- Maintaining higher lysine-to-arginine ratios in the body may inhibit viral replication and reduce outbreak frequency and severity
- Reducing consumption of arginine-rich foods like nuts, chocolate, and certain seeds while using lysine
- Consulting with a healthcare provider before starting lysine supplementation, as it may interact with certain drugs, as mentioned in the study 3. It's also important to note that oral antiviral agents, such as acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, are superior to topical antiviral therapy for episodic treatment of herpes labialis, as stated in the study 2. Additionally, the study 4 found that oral acyclovir and valacyclovir were effective in preventing recurrent herpes labialis when taken prior to the appearance of any symptoms or exposure to triggers. However, the most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that lysine may be beneficial in reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks, and therefore, the recommended dose of 1,000 mg daily should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for herpes labialis.