I am a total anal queen when it comes to medication. I've been blessed becasue I carry a strand that comes out very rarely. What you need to do is increase your metabolism with exercise and vitamins, low intake of chocolate, nuts, and other agrenine base. I take the generic formula caller Acyclovir, it is sugested to take twice daily, but I don't want my body to lose its fighting power so I only take it when I feel an outbreak coming, or when I'm stressed. The acyclovir cost 10 dollars for a doce that lasts you a month, so you figure, about 120 dollars a year.
Hope this helps.