Valacyclovir For Genital Herpes
The antiviral medication valacyclovir is a pill that lessens the frequency and symptoms of genital herpes, and reduces the chance that youll pass the virus to a partner. You can take valacyclovir when you feel an outbreak coming on to lessen symptoms, or take a dose every day for prevention. Taking this medication every day reduces the likelihood of transmitting genital herpes to a partner by 50%. Valacyclovir is safe and effective, side effects are rare.Note: We only prescribe medication if youve previously had a genital herpes diagnosis. If you havent been diagnosed with herpes we suggest you see your local provider for diagnosis during your next outbreak.
Answer a few health questions to get started and pay $20 for your medical consultation. This price includes unlimited messaging with our medical team for a year.
How Much Valacyclovir Should You Take For A Recurrent Genital Herpes Outbreak
After the primary outbreak, genital herpes enters a latent stage. During this period, the virus lays dormant in the body , with no clear symptoms or signs of an infection.
Over time, many people with genital herpes will experience recurrent outbreaks of the virus that cause herpes sores to develop. Outbreaks affect people with HSV-1 and HSV-2, although they tend to be more common in people with the HSV-2 type of the herpes virus.
Recurrent outbreaks are usually less intense than the initial outbreak. Most people only notice the development of herpes sores on the genitals, with few or none of the flu-like symptoms that can make a primary outbreak so unpleasant.
During a recurring outbreak, you normally wont need to take as much as you did for the primary outbreak. A standard valacyclovir dosage for recurrent genital herpes outbreaks is 500 mg twice per day for three days.
If you have particularly severe genital herpes outbreaks or the herpes sores you develop during an outbreak take longer than normal to recover, your doctor may adjust your dosage to provide extra relief from symptoms and faster healing. In any case, follow your doctors instructions.
What Drugs And Food Should I Avoid While Taking Valtrex
Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to help keep you from spreading the herpes virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases other than the virus that causes genital herpes.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Recommended Reading: What Medicine Helps With Genital Herpes
Valacyclovir Dosage For Cold Sores And Genital Herpes
Medically reviewed by Kristin Hall, FNP
Valacyclovir , is one of the most common medications used to treat the herpes simplex virus. Used regularly by millions of people worldwide, its a safe, highly effective drug that can control from herpes outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
Like other drugs used to treat herpes, valacyclovir is an antiviral medication. It works through a complex mechanism that stops the herpes virus from replicating further within the body, making it useful for a variety of herpes-related conditions.
Valacyclovir is used to treat HSV-1 and HSV-2, as well as the varicella zoster virus . Because of its antiviral properties, its also used to prevent cytomegalovirus and to limit the effects of viruses in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients.
Below, weve listed common valacyclovir dosages for a variety of conditions, such as outbreaks of oral or genital herpes. The dosage information provided below is for adults — for children, you should consult your doctor, who will provide dosing recommendations based on your childs age, weight and health.
Note: If you have been prescribed valacyclovir by your doctor to treat any condition, follow the dose and frequency they recommend. The information below is provided as a reference only — you should always follow your doctors advice when using any prescription medication.
Dosage For Oral Herpes
Adult dosage
- Typical dosage: 2 g, twice per day for 1 day, taken 12 hours apart.
- Note: Treatment should be started at the first sign of cold sore symptoms.
Child dosage
- Typical dosage: 2 g, twice per day for 1 day, taken 12 hours apart.
- Note: This drug should be started at the first sign of cold sore symptoms.
Child dosage
- This drug has not been studied or approved for treatment of oral herpes in children younger than 12 years.
Senior dosage
The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different treatment schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.
You May Like: How To Deal With Herpes 1
How Long To Take Them
For the treatment of herpes infections, the usual course of treatment is five days. However in some instances your doctor may want you to take your tablets for ten days.
For prevention of herpes infections, you should continue to take this medicine every day as prescribed by your doctor.
Do not stop taking Valtrex tablets just because you feel better. The herpes outbreak may not be completely over.
Recommended Reading: Why Wont My Herpes Go Away
Valacyclovir Dosage And Usage
Valacyclovir dosing can differ depending on your diagnosis and body weight. Valacyclovir doses for children, specifically, are calculated by a pediatrician according to the child’s body weight.
Because valacyclovir is a prescription medication, your health care provider will prescribe the specific dose that they believe will be safest and most effective for your situation. But you can see some typical doses in the handy infographic we’ve provided below.
Mayo Clinic is credited for the data used in this graphic.
Because the initial outbreak of genital herpes is usually more severe, physicians often prescribe 1,000 milligrams of valacyclovir tablets to be taken twice per day for 10 days. Subsequent outbreaks, on the other hand, may only require 500 milligrams of valacyclovir tablets twice per day for a shorter duration of time .
Valacyclovir can also be prescribed for long-term use to prevent future outbreaks of genital herpes. This dosage is usually between 500 and 1,000 milligrams once per day.
Also Check: How Long Does It Take Herpes To Clear Up
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Valtrex
There are several considerations that you must keep in mind to stay healthy while you are taking Valtrex:
- Maintain hydration: Valtrex is more likely to cause kidney damage if you are dehydrated.
- Pain control for shingles: Shingles can cause substantial pain. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a pain-control medication for you as your condition is resolving.
- Rest and fever control for chicken pox: Chicken pox infection can cause high fevers and sometimes fatigue. If your child has this infection, maintain rest, and follow their providers advice regarding management of fevers.
Herpes viruses are highly contagious, so its important to avoid infecting others while you are recovering.
Tips to avoid the spread of the following infections:
- Cold sores: Dont share cups, utensils, lipstick, or kiss others while a cold sore is present
- Genital herpes: Practice safe sex.
- Chicken pox and shingles: Avoid contact with people who are immunosuppressed , people who are pregnant, and babies until your infection has fully resolved.
Treatment For Genital Herpes
There are three antiviral medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of genital herpes:
- Acyclovir: The oldest antiviral medication for herpes is acyclovir. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form and sold since 1985 in pill form. Acyclovir has been shown to be safe in persons who have used it continuously for as long as 10 years.
- Valacyclovir: A newer drug, valacyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its active ingredient. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.
- Famciclovir: Famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for patients having a first episode of genital herpes, but they can be used for recurrent episodes as well. There are two kinds of treatment regimens: episodic therapy and suppressive therapy.
Also Check: How To Treat Herpes While Pregnant
Understanding Herpes With H Hunter Handsfield Md
Herpes expert H. Hunter Handsfield, MD, explains the basics about genital herpes, including the difference between genital HSV-1 and HSV-2 infection, testing options and the importance of knowing virus type, and the three-prong strategy for prevention. See more herpes videos at sexualhealthTV.com.
Have a question about herpes youd like Dr. Handsfield or our other experts to answer? Visit our Ask the Experts page to learn how.
Aafp Offices Will Be Closed From December 26
ANNE D. WALLING, M.D.
Am Fam Physician. 1999 60:2156-2157
For many patients with a history of genital herpes , suppressive antiviral therapy is required in addition to aggressive treatment of active disease. The antiviral agent valacyclovir is metabolized to acyclovir after oral administration, with acyclovir bioavailability that is three to five times that observed with the drug acyclovir. This high bioavailability allows therapeutic concentrations with once-daily dosing. Baker and colleagues evaluated the ability of daily valacyclovir therapy in a dosage of 500 mg to prevent recurrent symptomatic outbreaks of genital herpes.
The one-year study included 126 adults who had culture-proven recurrent genital herpes infection. The mean age of the 46 women and 80 men was 46 years. Patients were instructed to increase the once-daily, 500-mg dose of valacyclovir to twice daily administration for five days if they developed symptoms of recurrence. Symptoms related to herpes infection, other clinical conditions and adverse effects were recorded in diaries. Patients were evaluated every three months.
Recurrence rates were similar in women and men. Only 12 of 107 recurrences followed one or more missed doses in the previous five days.
The authors conclude that 500 mg of valacyclovir daily suppresses clinical episodes of genital herpes infection. Patients tolerated the medication well and achieved high rates of compliance.
Don’t Miss: What Can I Buy Over The Counter For Herpes
What Are The Main Differences Between Acyclovir Vs Valacyclovir
Acyclovir is a prescription medication used in the treatment of herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus . It belongs to a class of antiviral drugs known as synthetic purine deoxynucleoside analogues. This class is also sometimes referred to as nucleoside and nucleotide DNA polymerase inhibitor antivirals. Acyclovir fights viral infections by incorporating itself into the viral DNA and then prohibiting viral DNA synthesis. Acyclovir is available in a variety of forms including topical cream and ointment, ophthalmic ointment, solution for injection, oral capsules, oral tablets, oral dissolving tablets, and oral suspension. The oral acyclovir formulation has poor bioavailability because it is altered in first-pass metabolism, resulting in poor absorption from the gastrointestinal tract.
Also Check: How To Clear Herpes On Lips
Are There Any Other Precautions Or Warnings For This Medication
Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.
Genital herpes: To reduce the risk of spreading the virus, wash your hands immediately after touching your skin sores. You should avoid intimate contact when live lesions are visible on your skin. The herpes virus can still be spread even when you do not have blisters or sores.
Immunosuppression : People who have a weakened immune system should only use valacyclovir if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you have had an organ transplant, are infected with HIV, or otherwise have a weak immune system, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Kidney disease: Valacyclovir may cause decreased kidney function or kidney failure. People with kidney disease may need a lower dose of this medication. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Read Also: Does Docosanol Work On Genital Herpes
Whats Genital Herpes And Whos At Risk
There are two types of herpes simplex virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Herpes which occurs around the mouth and on the lips is usually, but not always, caused by HSV-1. Around 70-80% of the population carry HSV-1 inside their bodies, but only about one third of carriers will ever experience an oral herpes outbreak.
HSV-2, on the other hand, is most often associated with genital herpes. However, in recent years, there has been an increase in genital herpes caused by HSV-1, which can spread through oral sex. The scientific consensus holds that around 15% of U.S. adults have genital herpes, but within these 15%, only about 10-20% of carriers will experience a genital herpes outbreak . In fact, most people with genital herpes arent even aware that they have it.
Order safe and effective treatment for genital herpes
Whether an HSV carrier experiences a herpes outbreak in large part depends on the immune system. The stronger it is, the less the likelihood of experiencing an outbreak. Conversely, sickness or certain drugs or chemotherapy agents, can weaken the immune system and give the herpes virus the opportunity to replicate.
Suppressive Therapy For Recurrent Hsv
Suppressive therapy reduces frequency of genital herpes recurrences by 70%80% among patients who have frequent recurrences . Persons receiving such therapy often report having experienced no symptomatic outbreaks. Suppressive therapy also is effective for patients with less frequent recurrences. Long-term safety and efficacy have been documented among patients receiving daily acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir . Quality of life is improved for many patients with frequent recurrences who receive suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment . Providers should discuss with patients on an annual basis whether they want to continue suppressive therapy because frequency of genital HSV-2 recurrence diminishes over time for many persons. However, neither treatment discontinuation nor laboratory monitoring is necessary because adverse events and development of HSV antiviral resistance related to long-term antiviral use are uncommon.
Valacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day for 3 daysOR
Valacyclovir 1 gm orally once daily for 5 days
*Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day is also effective, but are not recommended because of frequency of dosing.
Don’t Miss: What To Do If You Think You Have Oral Herpes
Extemporaneous Preparation Of Oral Suspension
Ingredients and Preparation per USPNF
VALTREX tablets 500 mg, cherry flavor, and Suspension Structured Vehicle USP-NF . Valacyclovir oral suspension should be prepared in lots of 100 mL.
Instructions for Preparing Suspension at Time of Dispensing
- Transfer the suspension to an amber glass medicine bottle with a child-resistant closure.
- The prepared suspension should be labeled with the following information Shake well before using. Store suspension between 2°C to 8°C in a refrigerator. Discard after 28 days.
*The amount of cherry flavor added is as instructed by the suppliers of the cherry flavor.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Valtrex
If you take too much Valtrex, it can lead to acute kidney damage. This is a medical emergency that can cause toxicity in your body and the inability to make urine.
Hemodialysis is a procedure that helps your body eliminate toxins and balance fluidthis may be necessary until your kidney function is restored.
Also Check: What Does The Beginning Of Herpes Feel Like
Warnings For People With Certain Health Conditions
For people with kidney problems: Your kidneys clear this drug from your body. If you have kidney problems or a history of kidney disease, you may not be able to clear it from your body. This may increase the levels of the drug in your body and cause more side effects. This drug can also make your kidney function worse. To help prevent these problems, your doctor may prescribe a lower dosage of this drug for you.
For people with advanced HIV or a history of transplant: If you have advanced HIV or a history of bone marrow or kidney transplant, you may be at a higher risk of certain blood disorders. These conditions are called thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome . They can result in severely low red blood cells and platelets in your body. TTP or HUS can cause death.
Read Also: Can You Get Tested For Herpes Without An Outbreak
What Form Does This Medication Come In
500 mg Each blue, film-coated, capsule-shaped tablet printed with edible white ink with VALTREX 500 mg contains valacyclovir HCl equivalent to 500 mg valacyclovir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Indigotine Aluminum Lake, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, povidone, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide.
1,000 mg Each white, film-coated, capsule-shaped tablet printed with edible blue ink with GX CF2 contains valacyclovir HCl equivalent to 1,000 mg valacyclovir. Nonmedicinal ingredients: carnauba wax, cellulose, crospovidone, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, povidone, silicon dioxide, and titanium dioxide.
You May Like: Best Treatment For Herpes Labialis
Dosage For Genital Herpes
Adult dosage
- First episode: 1 g, taken twice per day for 10 days. This drug works best if its started within 48 hours of when the first symptom appears.
- Repeating episodes: 500 mg, taken twice per day for 3 days. Treatment should be started when the first symptom appears.
- For preventing flare-ups in people with a normal immune system: 500 mg to 1 g, taken once per day.
- For preventing flare-ups in people with HIV: 500 mg, taken twice per day.
- For reducing the risk of transmission to a sexual partner: 500 mg, taken once per day.
Child dosage
This drug has not been studied for the treatment of genital herpes in children younger than 18 years.
Senior dosage
The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time. This raises your risk of side effects.
Your doctor may start you on a lowered dosage or a different treatment schedule. This can help keep levels of this drug from building up too much in your body.