What is the dosage of Valacyclovir for Cold Sores and Genital Herpes?
Still searching for the best antiviral medicine to treat your viral infections like shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores? If yes, then Valacyclovir can help you. The dosage of this medication depends upon what you are being treated for.
After the prescription from the doctor, you can order this medicine from a licensed online pharmacy and get it delivered to your doorstep.
What is Valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is a prescription antiviral medicine that treats various health conditions caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). This mainly includes viral infections like cold sores and genital herpes.
Doctors also recommend this medication to treat infections caused by the herpes zoster virus like chickenpox and shingles. All these viral conditions are responsible for causing herpes outbreaks and make you suffer from symptoms like painful skin rashes and lip blisters.
When a herpes outbreak is on the way, this medicine is an effective solution to manage the distressing symptoms. Valacyclovir works in your body by stopping the herpes virus from multiplying. This further makes it easy for the body to manage your infection and prevent it from spreading further.
Depending upon your condition, the doctor will determine what is the best way of taking Valacyclovir. It is vital to know that Valacyclovir is available in brand-name or generic tablets and in two doses i.e., Valcivir 500mg and Valcivir 1000mg. The dosage of this medicine can vary from person to person.
What is the dosage of Valacyclovir?
Remember the dose of this medication is different for different patients. To attain maximum benefits, it is necessary to follow the direction of your doctor. Never try to change the dosage of Valacyclovir unless the doctor recommends you.
The amount of medicine you will take completely depends upon the strength of Valacyclovir prescribed to you. Depending upon your medical problem, the number of dosages you take every day, the time gap between doses, and the length of time this medicine needs to be taken will be determined.
Here is the typical dosage of Valacyclovir:
Cold sores
For cold sores, the prescribed dosage of Valacyclovir is 2 grams for 1 day every 12 hours. This further means you either need to consume four 500mg tablets or simply two 1-gram tablets for each dose.
The moment you experience the symptoms of cold sores like itching, tingling or blisters forming around or on your lip area. Intake of this medicine early during the development of a cold sore help Valacyclovir to show its effects best. Also, it decreases the amount of time taken by the medicine to heal a cold sore.
Genital herpes
The prescribed valacyclovir dosage for genital herpes mainly depends upon the history of genital herpes outbreaks. Since your first outbreak of genital herpes can be serious, so the doctor can recommend a high dosage of valacyclovir in the starting.
After your first outbreak, you can also suffer from recurrent outbreaks, but they are not very serious and with a lower dosage of Valacyclovir you will get relief.
For best results, make sure to take the dosage of Valacyclovir the moment you experience symptoms of genital herpes like blistering or itching on your genitals.
Consider the following dosages:
- For the first genital herpes outbreak
- Take 1 gram of Valacyclovir two times a day for 10 days continuously.
- For recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes
- It is suggested to take 500mg two times a day for 3 days regularly.
However, the problem of genital herpes cannot be cured. Though the virus is inactive in nerve cells but can be reactivated in the future, causing recurrent outbreaks.
By taking this medicine on a regular basis, you can decrease the chances of experiencing recurrent outbreaks. Intake of Valacyclovir also decreases the risk of spreading genital herpes to other people.
Here are a few things to consider for the dosages of Valacyclovir:
- To decrease the possibility of recurrent outbreaks
- Take 500mg to 1 grain once a day by mouth. People suffering from HIV must take 500mg two times a day.
- To decrease genital herpes transmission possibility, if you suffer from the virus
- An intake of 500mg once a day is recommended by the doctor.
Apart from this, the doctor will also help you to select the best dosage strategy for your condition.
What is the valacyclovir dosage to treat cold sores in children?
Valacyclovir is effective in treating cold sores and chickenpox in children. Though dosage in children can be similar or different from adults depending upon the condition.
In order to treat cold sores in children of 12 years or older, the dosage of this medicine is the same as in adults. Doctors prescribe 2 grams after every 12 hours for one day to children of 12 years and above. As the symptoms of cold sore start, kids must start taking valacyclovir.
However, kids of 11 years and below must not take this medicine for treating cold sores. The safety and effectiveness of the medication are not assured for treating cold sores in children between this age group.
What if you exceed the dosage of Valacyclovir?
Taking this medication more than recommended by the doctor can make you suffer from severe side effects. Some of the side effects of exceeding Valacyclovir dosage include headache, nausea, and vomiting.
In certain cases, the toxicity of valacyclovir drug is also possible. This kind of case is more likely to happen in people suffering from kidney issues and take valacyclovir more often than directed by the doctor. Valacyclovir toxicity can also make you suffer from nervous system issues.
Make sure you do not take Valacyclovir more often than recommended by the doctor as it can cause severe side effects. In case of Valacyclovir toxicity, immediately consult the doctor.
Therefore, Valacyclovir is one of the safest and most effective medicines to treat cold sores and genital herpes in children & adults.
Related Article - Acyclovir vs Valacyclovir
Conclusion
Valacyclovir is a highly effective and safe antiviral medicine to treat herpes infections like cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. The dosage of this medication varies from person to person depending upon their condition. Depending on the severity of your infection, your doctor will determine what is the best way for you to take Valacyclovir. It is important to follow the prescription given by your doctor in order to achieve maximum benefits from this medication. If you experience any side effects or if you exceed the prescribed dosage, then it is important to consult your doctor immediately.
