Sunday, March 24, 2024

Valtrex For Recurrent Genital Herpes

How Much Valacyclovir Should You Take For A Cold Sore Outbreak

Herpes Simplex 1 & 2: Symptoms, Transmission and Treatment

Cold sores also come and go, with many people experiencing recurrent outbreaks every few months after the initial outbreak passes. Like genital herpes, oral herpes outbreaks are often triggered by external factors, such as hormonal changes and illnesses.

The standard valacyclovir dosage for an outbreak of cold sores is the same as the dosage used for a primary oral herpes outbreak — 2,000 mg of valacyclovir taken every 12 hours, for a total of two doses. Taken early in a cold sore outbreak, this can significantly speed up healing.

For particularly bad outbreaks of cold sores, your doctor may also recommend the use of topical treatments, which can alleviate pain, itching and discomfort. Follow your doctors instructions on medication use for the fastest recovery and best results.

Carcinogenesis Mutagenesis Impairment Of Fertility

The data presented below include references to the steadystate acyclovir AUC observed in humans treated with 1 gram of Valtrex given orally 3 times a day to treat herpes zoster. Plasma drug concentrations in animal studies are expressed as multiples of human exposure to acyclovir .

Carcinogenesis

Valacyclovir was noncarcinogenic in lifetime carcinogenicity bioassays at single daily doses of valacyclovir giving plasma acyclovir concentrations equivalent to human levels in the mouse bioassay and 1.4 to 2.3 times human levels in the rat bioassay. There was no significant difference in the incidence of tumors between treated and control animals, nor did valacyclovir shorten the latency of tumors.

Mutagenesis

Valacyclovir was tested in 5 genetic toxicity assays. An Ames assay was negative in the absence or presence of metabolic activation. Also negative were an in vitro cytogenetic study with human lymphocytes and a rat cytogenetic study.

In the mouse lymphoma assay, valacyclovir was not mutagenic in the absence of metabolic activation. In the presence of metabolic activation , valacyclovir was mutagenic.

Valacyclovir was mutagenic in a mouse micronucleus assay.

Impairment of Fertility

Valacyclovir did not impair fertility or reproduction in male or female rats at acyclovir exposures 6 times higher than in humans given the MRHD. Testicular atrophy occurred in male rats and was reversible.

When To Talk With A Doctor

Herpes isnt curable, but it can be treated with antiviral medications. These medications can reduce the severity of an outbreak.

If you suspect you have herpes, make an appointment with a doctor. Its also a good idea to talk with your doctor about a herpes screening if:

  • your current or previous sexual partner has herpes
  • youre planning to have sex with a new partner
  • you had a risky sexual encounter

If youve already been diagnosed with herpes and youre currently experiencing an outbreak, the outbreak might go away without causing complications and without treatment.

However, its wise to make an appointment with your doctor if:

  • the outbreak is particularly painful or unbearable
  • youre experiencing symptoms of other STIs
  • youre experiencing frequent, severe outbreaks

If youre sexually active, its a good idea to have regular STI screenings. You can book appointments for STI screenings with your doctors office. You could also try a local clinic, certain pharmacies, or Planned Parenthood.

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Using Valacyclovir To Treat A Primary Outbreak Of Genital Herpes

Valacyclovir can be extremely helpful for treating an initial herpes outbreak. Used early, it acts to suppress the virus and prevent it from multiplying, providing relief from the physical symptoms of a herpes outbreak and helping you recover faster.

Because primary herpes outbreaks tend to be the most intense experience infected people will have with the virus, treatment involves a relatively high dose of valacyclovir.

The standard dose of valacyclovir for an initial outbreak of genital herpes is 1,000 mg twice a day. This is typically continued over a 10-day period to continually suppress the virus and help the lesions caused by the viral infection to close and heal.

If you believe you may experiencing the first signs of a genital herpes outbreak, its important to see your doctor as soon as possible about treatment options. Valacyclovir is most effective if its taken as early as possible during an outbreak.

Your doctor may also recommend the use of pain relief medication to manage the other physical symptoms of a primary herpes outbreak.

Dosage Forms And Strengths

Valtrex pills 500mg 10

Tablets:

500-mg: Each blue, filmcoated, capsuleshaped tablet printed with Valtrex 500 mg contains 556.2 mg of valacyclovir hydrochloride equivalent to 500 mg of the free base.
1-gram: Each blue, filmcoated, capsuleshaped tablet, with a partial scorebar on both sides, printed with Valtrex 1 gram contains 1.112 grams of valacyclovir hydrochloride equivalent to 1 gram of the free base.

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How Much Valacyclovir Should You Take For A Primary Herpes Outbreak

Most people find out that they have the herpes virus during the primary outbreak. The first outbreak of herpes tends to be the most intense, with a person developing both the physical symptoms of herpes as well as a variety of other symptoms.

During a primary outbreak, many people experience muscle aches, chills, fever, swelling of the glands around the neck and pelvic area, headaches and other flu-like symptoms. If youre going through a primary outbreak, its normal to feel fatigued and lacking in energy.

A painful, burning feeling when urinating is a common symptom in both sexes. Women going through initial outbreaks may experience unusual vaginal discharge and pain in the cervix due to the virus.

Our guide to the signs and symptoms of genital herpes goes into more detail about the most common symptoms people experience during initial outbreaks. Outbreaks of oral herpes can include similar physical effects, although the herpes sores are isolated to the lips and mouth.

One of the biggest reasons a primary herpes outbreak is so intense is that the virus is relatively strong during this period. Over time, your body will develop its own immune response to HSV-1 or HSV-2 — depending on your infection type — allowing it to suppress the virus.

Both oral and genital herpes primary outbreaks tend to last for two to three weeks, with the most intense symptoms during the first one to two weeks of the outbreak.

Genital Herpes During Pregnancy

Prevention of neonatal herpes depends both on preventing acquisition of genital herpes during late pregnancy and avoiding exposure of the neonate to herpetic lesions and viral shedding during delivery. Mothers of newborns who acquire neonatal herpes often lack histories of clinically evident genital herpes . The risk for transmission to the neonate from an infected mother is high among women who acquire genital herpes near the time of delivery and low among women with prenatal histories of recurrent herpes or who acquire genital herpes during the first half of pregnancy . Women who acquire HSV in the second half of pregnancy should be managed in consultation with maternal-fetal medicine and infectious disease specialists.

All pregnant women should be asked whether they have a history of genital herpes or genital symptoms concerning for HSV infection. At the onset of labor, all women should be questioned thoroughly about symptoms of genital herpes, including prodromal symptoms , and all women should be examined thoroughly for herpetic lesions. Women without symptoms or signs of genital herpes or its prodrome can deliver vaginally. Although cesarean delivery does not eliminate the risk for HSV transmission to the neonate , women with recurrent genital herpetic lesions at the onset of labor should have a cesarean delivery to reduce the risk for neonatal HSV infection.

Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/dayORValacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day

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What Is In This Leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Valtrex tablets. It does not contain all of the available information.

It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Valtrex tablets against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.

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Management Of Sex Partners

Valtrex (Valacyclovir) : Know Your Drug

The sex partners of persons who have symptomatic genital herpes can benefit from evaluation and counseling. Symptomatic sex partners should be evaluated and treated in the same manner as patients who have symptomatic genital herpes. Asymptomatic sex partners of patients who have symptomatic genital herpes should be asked about a history of genital symptoms and offered type-specific serologic testing for HSV-2. For partners without genital herpes, no data are available on which to base a recommendation for PEP or PrEP with antiviral medications or that they would prevent acquisition, and this should not be offered to patients as a prevention strategy.

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Is There A Cure Or Treatment For Herpes

Theres no cure for the herpes virus yet. A herpes vaccine doesnt currently exist, as the herpes virus has more complicated DNA than most infections, creating challenges for researchers.

However, medication can help with symptoms, like sores, and outbreaks. Medication also lowers the risk of transmission to others. You can take most medications for herpes orally, though you may also apply some as a cream or receive them by injection.

Is There A Cure Or Treatment For Genital Herpes

There is no cure for genital herpes. However, daily use of antiviral medicines can prevent or shorten outbreaks. Antiviral medicines also can reduce the chance of spreading it to others.

Though several clinical trials have tested vaccines against genital herpes, there is no vaccine currently available to prevent infection. One vaccine trial showed efficacy among women whose partners had HSV-2, but only among women not infected with HSV-1. Efficacy was not observed among men whose partners had HSV-2. Another trial testing the same vaccine showed some protection from genital HSV-1 infection, but none from HSV-2.

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Switch Medications If Necessary

Acyclovir is another antiviral drug that can be used to treat herpes virus and varicella-zoster virus infections. Neither medication is better than the other, but if someone cant tolerate Valtrex or has an underlying medical condition that prevents them from taking it, acyclovir is another good option. You can compare the medications here.

Valacyclovir Dosage For Cold Sores And Genital Herpes

Dosage Of Valtrex : Valtrex(Valacyclovir) Oral Tablets 500mg Online ...

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.

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When You Must Not Take Them

  • Do not take Valtrex tablets if you have ever had an allergic reaction to valaciclovir, aciclovir or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  • Symptoms of an allergic reaction may be mild or severe. They usually include some or all of the following: wheezing, swelling of the lips/mouth, difficulty in breathing, hay fever, lumpy rash or fainting.
  • Do not take Valtrex tablets if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast-feeding, unless your doctor says you should.
  • Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of using Valtrex tablets when pregnant and during breast-feeding.
  • Do not take Valtrex tablets after the expiry date printed on the pack.
  • If you take it after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
  • Do not take Valtrex tablets if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
  • If you are not sure whether you should be taking Valtrex, talk to your doctor.

Valtrex Lowers Herpes Transmission

Sept. 27, 2002 — The drug Valtrex — prescribed to prevent recurrences of genital herpes — may actually help prevent the spread of the virus from one sexual partner to another.

The lifelong infection affects 1 in 5 adults, and many infected people don’t have symptoms and don’t know they are infected.

In the study heterosexual, monogamous couples were instructed to use condoms during sex. Previous research has shown that even when told to use condoms, many monogamous couples don’t follow these instructions.

Once-daily Valtrex cut the chance of the partner getting herpes with no symptoms by 50%. The risk of developing genital herpes with symptoms in the partner dropped by 77%.

“This is the first time that a drug has been shown effective against the transmission of virally transmitted infections,” lead researcher Larry Corey, MD, tells WebMD.

Corey is professor of laboratory medicine and medicine at the University of Washington and head of infectious diseases at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle. He presented his findings today at a meeting of infection disease specialists in San Diego.

“This is a breakthrough concept,” he says. “It could offer a means of managing other sexually transmitted diseases.

Because the couples were asked to use condoms every time the had sex, some of the reduction in transmission may be due to condom use, not Valtrex alone.

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Side Effects And Follow

Side effects with these herpes drugs are considered mild, and health experts believe these drugs are safe in the long term. Acyclovir is the oldest of the three, and its safety has been documented in people taking suppressive therapy for several years.

People taking suppressive therapy should see their doctor at least once a year to decide if they should continue. You may find taking the pills every day to be inconvenient, the drugs may not work for you, or you may naturally have fewer outbreaks as time goes on. Your doctor can help you make treatment choices to suit your needs.

Dosage For Genital Herpes

Valtrex (Valacyclovir) – Uses, Dosing, Side Effects

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.

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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.

Prevention And/or Blocking Of Cold Sores

Increases in the proportion of subjects in whom cold sore lesion development was prevented and/or blocked were observed with both treatment regimens when compared to placebo .4). In study 1, a greater proportion of subjects experienced prevention and/or blockage of cold sore lesions than those in the placebo group, but the treatment differences were not statistically significant at the two-sided 5% level. In study 2, a greater proportion of subjects in both treatment groups experienced prevention and/or blockage of cold sore lesions than those in the placebo group . However, after adjustment for multiple comparisons, neither treatment difference was statistically significant at the 5% level. Figure Figure22 shows the difference in proportion of subjects in whom cold sore lesion development was prevented and/or blocked for the 1- and 2-day valacyclovir treatment regimens in each study.

Plot of the difference in proportion of subjects in whom cold sore lesion development was prevented and/or blocked with 1-day treatment and 2-day treatment from placebo within each study. 95% CI, 95% confidence interval.

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Clinical Trials Experience In Pediatric Subjects

The safety profile of Valtrex has been studied in 177 pediatric subjects aged 1 month to less than 18 years. Sixty-five of these pediatric subjects, aged 12 to less than 18 years, received oral tablets for 1 to 2 days for treatment of cold sores. The remaining 112 pediatric subjects, aged 1 month to less than 12 years, participated in 3 pharmacokinetic and safety trials and received valacyclovir oral suspension. Fifty-one of these 112 pediatric subjects received oral suspension for 3 to 6 days. The frequency, intensity, and nature of clinical adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities were similar to those seen in adults.

Pediatric Subjects Aged 12 to Less than 18 Years

In clinical trials for the treatment of cold sores, the adverse reactions reported by adolescent subjects receiving Valtrex 2 grams twice daily for 1 day, or Valtrex 2 grams twice daily for 1 day followed by 1 gram twice daily for 1 day , or placebo , respectively, included headache and nausea .

Pediatric Subjects Aged 1 Month to Less than 12 Years

Adverse events reported in more than 1 subject across the 3 pharmacokinetic and safety trials in children aged 1 month to less than 12 years were diarrhea , pyrexia , dehydration , herpes simplex , and rhinorrhea . No clinically meaningful changes in laboratory values were observed.

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