Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

It may take up to three days before a reduction in symptoms occurs. Even if symptoms fully abate, valacyclovir should be taken until the prescribed course has been completed. Best started within 24-48 hours of symptom onset.

Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the infection. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.

Maximum dosage: 1 g, taken 3 times per day. Note: Treatment should be started at the earliest sign or symptom.

What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir? 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.

Valtrex (valacyclovir) and other antiviral medications can only treat the symptoms associated with herpes infections and shorten outbreaks. Does Valtrex (valacyclovir) make you gain weight? Weight changes are not commonly reported with the use of Valtrex (valacyclovir).

Doctors recommend not to consume alcohol while taking valacyclovir, as the combination of valacyclovir and alcohol can potentially lead to an excessive, dangerous level of dizziness or drowsiness.

A frequently asked question about Valtrex is whether it will make you urinate more often. It won’t necessarily make you pee more, but you should drink plenty of water while taking Valtrex to help the kidneys process it as best they can. Therefore, this extra hydration can result in frequent urination.

The PDR states that for suppressive therapy of recurrent herpes genitalis in all patients valacyclovir 1 gram (1000 mg) should be taken once daily. The PDR continues, “Safety and efficacy of valacyclovir beyond 1 year have not been established. In HIV-infected patients, 500 mg by mouth twice daily.

Powerful anti-herpes drugs — acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) — prevent most outbreaks in most people.

Can you have an outbreak while taking Valtrex? Yes, while daily Valtrex has been shown to reduce genital herpes outbreaks by 70% to 80%, it is still possible to have an outbreak while taking the medication. However, the frequency of outbreaks tends to go down over time for a lot of people.

However, because they suppress the immune system, these medicines also suppress the ability of the body to fight infection. Valaciclovir is therefore given to people who have received an organ transplant, in order to help the body kill off any CMV virus.

“Valtrex is truly the only cold sore medication that will act fast and diminish your pain and blisters within days You will start feeling relief in hours. No other cold sore medication can compete. The only downside is you have to get a prescription for it. Depending on your insurance it could be fair to pricey.

Valacyclovir is usually prescribed for seven days for shingles, with a typical dosage of 1,000 mg three times per day. Just like with HSV-1 and HSV-2, it’s important to start treatment as soon as you notice shingles symptoms.

Because valacyclovir is a prodrug, it’s only active in your body for a short period of time after it’s taken. On its own, its half-life is approximately 30 minutes. However, once valacyclovir has converted into acyclovir, it has a half-life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function.

Interactions between your drugs No interactions were found between valacyclovir and Vitamin C. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.

Antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible, as it is most effective when started within 72 hours after the shingles rash appears. After this time, antiviral medications may still be helpful if new blisters are appearing.

Somewhere between one and five days after the tingling or burning feeling on the skin, a red rash will appear. A few days later, the rash will turn into fluid-filled blisters. About a week to 10 days after that, the blisters dry up and crust over.

Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 48 hours after the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (e.g., pain, burning, or blisters) begin to appear.

The stages of shingles are tingling pain, followed by a burning feeling and a red rash, then blistering, and finally the blisters will crust over. You will typically develop a rash about 1-5 days after you feel numbness or tingling pain.

The first sign of shingles, which is also called herpes zoster, is pain that might feel like burning or tingling on one side of your face, chest, back, or waist. It can be intense. You might also feel like you’re coming down with the flu, with symptoms such as: Fever.

Shingles can sometimes be mistaken for another skin conditions, such as hives, psoriasis, or eczema. Share on Pinterest A doctor should always be consulted if shingles is suspected. The characteristics of a rash may help doctors identify the cause. For example, hives are often raised and look like welts.

The generalized signs and symptoms in the body may include: Raised red rash which usually appears a few days after the pain. Multiple blisters which appear in a stripe pattern. The blisters contain fluid and they break open with crusting. Fever, chills, fatigue, and body ache.

The shingles rash appears as painful skin blisters that appear usually on only one side of the face or body along the distribution of nerves in the skin. The skin rash begins as fluid-filled blisters that then form scabs that may leave scars.

Contact your doctor promptly if you suspect shingles, but especially in the following situations: The pain and rash occur near an eye. If left untreated, this infection can lead to permanent eye damage. You’re 60 or older, because age significantly increases your risk of complications.