Cold Sores Vs Canker Sores
Its important to know that cold sores are not the same as canker sores.
- Canker sores are greyish ulcers that only form on the inside of the mouth, on the tongue or on the soft palate. Cold sores appear outside the mouth, taking the form of blisters on the lips or nearby.
- Canker sores are not caused by a virus or bacteria. Experts arent sure why canker sores erupt, although they tend to surface during times of stress or lowered immunity, or after youve injured your tongue or the inside of your mouth .
- Canker sores are not contagious they cant be transmitted to another persons lips, mouth or genitals. But cold sores are very contagious.
- Unlike cold sores, canker sores dont respond to prescription medication. You can relieve pain with some over-the-counter treatments, but as with romantic trauma, the only thing that will heal you is time.
If youre unsure whether you have a cold sore or canker sore, see a health-care provider. Theyll be able to tell you on sight, and they can advise you on strategies to speed healing time, ease discomfort and prevent transmission to others .
Valacyclovir For First Herpes Outbreaks
For first-time herpes outbreaks, valacyclovir is most effective when its used within 48 hours of symptoms appearing. Once valacyclovir has converted into acyclovir, it has a half-life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function. Meaning Valacyclovir stay in your system from 2.5 to 3.3 hours for normal people.
The standard dosage of valacyclovir for first-time herpes outbreaks is 1,000 mg two times per day over a period of 10 days. Valacyclovir usually starts treating herpes symptoms as soon as its in your system, but can take several days to produce a noticeable improvement.
It can take up to 10 days for herpes blisters to heal even with valacyclovir treatment. This makes it important to start treatment as soon as you notice herpes symptoms.
In some cases, your doctor might prescribe valacyclovir for a longer period than 10 days or at a different dosage. In this case, follow your doctors instructions and make sure you complete the full course of the medication, even if the herpes blisters heal before the end of the period.
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.
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Treatment For Oral Herpes
The antiviral medications available in pill form have been specifically developed for the treatment of genital herpes. However, it is not uncommon for healthcare providers to prescribe the antiviral drugs to those who have frequent or severe outbreaks of oral herpes.
A recent study found valacyclovir to be effective for treating oral herpes in a one-day treatment of 2 grams taken at the first sign of a cold sore, and then again about 12 hours later.
There are two topical antiviral medications prescribed for the treatment of oral HSV symptoms: acyclovir ointment and penciclovir cream. Both work to speed up the healing process and reduce the viral activity. These topical drugs are put directly on the lesions themselves, but can also be used at the onset of prodrome.
Other topical treatments for oral herpes are available over-the-counter , but are not antiviral compounds like acyclovir and penciclovir. Some also contain ingredients that numb the area and induce temporary relief from the discomfort of an outbreak. Unfortunately, some OTC treatments may actually delay the healing time of symptoms because they can further irritate the area with repeated applications. There is only one OTC FDA-approved cream, called Abreva®, which has been clinically proven to help speed the healing process.
Genital Herpes Guide: Treatment And Follow
Treatment and follow-up guidance for the genital herpes.
Note: This guide provides minimal information about neonatal herpes. For more information, refer to the Canadian Paediatric Society Position Statement about the prevention and management of neonatal herpes simplex virus infections.
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Treatment Of Primary Infection
Antiviral therapy is recommended for an initial genital herpes outbreak, especially if the patient has systemic symptoms or is immunocompromised.2 Oral acyclovir is effective in reducing symptoms1. Intravenous administration may be required in immunocompromised patients and those with severe disseminated infection.1 Topical acyclovir reduces the duration of viral shedding and the length of time before all lesions become crusted, but this treatment is much less effective than oral or intravenous acyclovir.1
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Valacyclovir Dosage For Genital Herpes
If you have genital herpes, youll understand how stressful an outbreak can be. People infected with genital herpes can experience four to five outbreaks of the virus per year, making it vital to have medication like valacyclovir on hand in the event you notice herpes lesions developing.
Like oral herpes, valacyclovir is highly effective at treating genital herpes and speeding up the healing process.
Genital herpes occurs in two phases. After being infected with the virus, most people will have an initial outbreak â a powerful outbreak of the virus that can result in severe symptoms. After this, genital herpes presents itself in recurring outbreaks every few months.
The typical dose of valacyclovir used to treat an initial outbreak of genital herpes is 1,000 mg taken two times per day. This twice-daily 1,000 mg dosage usually continues over 10 days as the herpes outbreak retreats and the lesions close, scab and heal.
During a very severe initial outbreak of genital herpes, your doctor might recommend taking valacyclovir over a longer period.
For recurring genital herpes, the typical dosage of valacyclovir is 500 mg taken twice daily for three days.
As with cold sores, valacyclovir is most effective at treating genital herpes when its taken as early as possible during an outbreak. Taken early, consistently and at the right dose, use of valacyclovir can make dealing with a difficult genital herpes outbreak more manageable.
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Talk With Your Doctor If You’re Interested In Valacyclovir
Valacyclovir is a prescription medication, so you’ll need to consult with your health care provider to see if it’s the right drug for you. Be sure to let them know if you’re using any other medications or natural treatments for your herpes to avoid any unintended interactions.
Many natural treatments can be safely used in conjunction with valacyclovir. Low-level light therapy , for example, shines specific wavelengths of light onto herpes lesions in order to speed healing and ease inflammation. You can use a handheld red light therapy device like the Luminance RED Genital Treatment Device that makes this kind of proven treatment available in the privacy of your home.
Valacyclovir Dosage For Herpes Outbreaks
Valtrex, also known as valacyclovir, is an antiviral drug that is used in the treatment and management of herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. It is a synthetic, broad-spectrum antiviral that is active against both DNA and RNA viruses. It is taken orally, and is available under the prescription of a doctor.
Herpes outbreaks can be painful and uncomfortable, and this is why you need to treat the herpes virus. It is not easy to cure herpes, but you can manage to keep the symptoms at bay. It is crucial that you follow the doctor’s prescription and take the medication at the exact time. This will prevent the virus from getting worse and will help you to recover faster.
When you use Valtrex for Herpes outbreaks, you will notice an immediate effect. The medication will bring down the swelling, and reduce the pain. You can also use the drug when you feel a herpes outbreak coming on. It is not a cure, but it can reduce the duration of the outbreak by a few days.
What is Valtrex?
Valtrex is a prescription medication that is used in the treatment and management of multiple conditions. It is known to have antiviral properties, and is used in the treatment of herpes, shingles and chickenpox. Valtrex has been used since 1995, and is an option that is preferred over other medications because of its effectiveness.
How Does Valtrex Work?
Valacyclovir Dosaging
Valacyclovir Dosage for Shingles
Valacyclovir Shingles Treatment:
Adults: 1000mg three times a day, seven days.
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Can Valacyclovir Help Prevent Herpes Transmission
Valacyclovir , is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes. It is a prodrug, which means it is activated inside the body. Once activated, it inhibits viral DNA replication by the herpes simplex virus. It has been clinically proven to reduce the number of days and outbreaks of herpes.
However it can only help to prevent transmission if used daily. It is important to note that this drug does not cure herpes. It helps prevent outbreaks , and it helps to prevent transmission of the virus to others. It is also important to note that as with any medication, side effects have been associated with valtrex.
So can Valtrex protect you or your partner from transmitting genital herpes? As we know, the virus is spread by skin-to-skin contact, and that even if you have no symptoms, you can still spread the disease to your partner if you are infected. Read on to find out more.
What is Valtrex?
Valtrex is a treatment for herpes, a highly contagious infection. Herpes is an infection by the herpes simplex virus, HSV. There are two types of HSV: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Most infections are caused by HSV-2, which most often causes genital herpes. HSV-1 typically causes infections above the waist .
Valtrex works by inhibiting the DNA replication of HSV. It also helps reduce the duration and severity of outbreaks. Valtrex can also be used to treat chickenpox.
Whats the Likelihood of Spreading Herpes While Taking Valtrex?
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How Should This Medicine Be Used
Topical acyclovir comes as a cream and an ointment to apply to the skin. Acyclovir cream is usually applied five times a day for 4 days. Acyclovir cream may be applied at any time during a cold sore outbreak, but it works best when it is applied at the very beginning of a cold sore outbreak, when there is tingling, redness, itching, or a bump but the cold sore has not yet formed. Acyclovir ointment is usually applied six times a day for 7 days. It is best to begin using acyclovir ointment as soon as possible after you experience the first symptoms of infection. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Use topical acyclovir exactly as directed. Do not use more or less of it or use it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your symptoms should improve during your treatment with topical acyclovir. If your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse, call your doctor.
Acyclovir cream and ointment are for use only on the skin. Do not let acyclovir cream or ointment get into your eyes, or inside your mouth or nose, and do not swallow the medication.
Acyclovir cream should only be applied to skin where a cold sore has formed or seems likely to form. Do not apply acyclovir cream to any unaffected skin, or to genital herpes sores.
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Treating Cold Sores With Valtrex
Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days. Although, the first cold sore you get will likely last longer.
Most people dont require treatment for their cold sores, but, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. This may be because you get cold sores often or if youre at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system.
To treat a cold sore, you take Valtrex on the day you notice a cold sore forming. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes virus from growing and spreading.
Your doctor may also prescribe Valtrex to help prevent future cold sores, which is an off-label use. In that case, you and your doctor would work together to create the best treatment plan for you.
Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. Its available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication . The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths.
Education Is An Integral Part Of Herpes Treatment
If you have genital herpes, its important for you to get educated about herpes and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.
Becoming informed will help you learn to cope with the illness. It will also help you prevent sexual transmission of the illness, or transmission to an infant during a pregnancy.
Herpes has a tremendous psychosocial overlay. But knowledge about it and understanding about how well it can be managed can reduce that, says Handsfield.
Your doctor may be able to provide you with all the information you need, or you may choose to seek counseling from a mental health professional or at a clinic that specializes in sexual health, such as Planned Parenthood.
If you have a regular sexual partner, that person should also have the chance to learn about herpes and ask any questions they may have about it.
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Dosage: How Much Valtrex Should I Take
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor’s orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For oral dosage form :
- For treatment of chickenpox:
- Adults and children below 2 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- Children 2 to 18 years of ageDose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 20 milligrams per kilogram of body weight, taken three times a day for 5 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg three times a day.
- For treatment of cold sores:
- Adults2000 milligrams every 12 hours for one day.
- Children 12 years of age and above2000 milligrams every 12 hours for one day.
- Children below 12 years of ageUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
- For treatment of genital herpes, first outbreak:
- Adults1000 milligrams two times a day for ten days.
- ChildrenUse and dose must be determined by your doctor.
Treatment Options + Pricing
If you experience outbreaks often, a daily dose of valacyclovir can prevent them and make it less likely that you’ll pass herpes to partners. If your outbreaks are less frequent you might choose to only take valacyclovir when you feel an outbreak coming on this will lessen the outbreak’s severity and help it heal faster. We bill insurance if you have it, and out-of-pocket prices are detailed below.
| $0 + applicable co-pays or deductible | $45 for a 3 month supply | |
| Valacyclovir for Daily Prevention | $0 + applicable co-pays or deductible | $75 for a 3 month supply* |
| Medical Consultation | $15 |
*For a 90-day supply of daily valacyclovir the out-of-pocket price is 83 cents per pill.
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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.