How long do you take Valtrex for shingles?

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.

How long should Valtrex be taken?

The usual dose is 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) 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.

What is considered long term use of Valtrex?

Valacyclovir enhances acyclovir bioavailability compared with orally administered acyclovir. Long-term use of acyclovir for up to 10 years for HSV suppression is effective and well tolerated.

Is 7 days of Valtrex enough for shingles?

For treatment of shingles: Adults—1000 milligrams (mg) three times a day for seven days. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

How long should you take antivirals for shingles?

Antiviral drugs These ease symptoms, speed up recovery, and may prevent complications. A course of antiviral medications is usually prescribed for 7 to 10 days.

How much Valtrex should I take for suppressive therapy?

Suppressive Therapy: The recommended dosage of VALTREX for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 1 gram once daily in patients with normal immune function. In patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dose is 500 mg once daily.

How long can I take valacyclovir?

For adults treating a first outbreak of genital herpes, 1,000mg of valacyclovir two times daily for a total of 10 days. It’s recommended to begin treatment within 48 hours of the herpes symptoms becoming noticeable.

How long can you take Valtrex daily?

The recommended dosage of VALTREX for treatment of herpes zoster is 1 gram 3 times daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom of herpes zoster and is most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of rash.

How long can you take daily valacyclovir?

To treat a recurrent outbreak, the FDA recommends using 500 mg of valacyclovir twice daily for 3 days starting at the first sign or symptom of lesions—preferably within 24 hours of onset. The CDC recommendation is identical but adds in the choice of using valacyclovir 1 g (1000 mg) one time a day for 5 days.

How long can you take valacyclovir?

You may need to take the medicine for only 1 day or for just a few days. To prevent recurrent genital herpes, you may need to take valacyclovir for up to 1 year. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.

How long is a course of acyclovir for shingles?

Acyclovir must be taken more frequently than the other drugs (five times daily as opposed to three times daily). Antiviral treatment typically lasts for one week. Pain medications — The pain related to shingles can be severe, and medications are frequently needed.

Does daily Valtrex reduce viral shedding?

Viral shedding was also reduced by persons taking Valtrex 500 mg once daily in the study. 82% of the study participants had viral shedding on 1 or more days compared to 49% of persons who took Valtrex at this dose who had viral shedding on 1 or more days.

Can you take antivirals long term?

Taken long term, particularly in people with existing kidney issues and/or inadequate hydration, valacyclovir can lead to renal toxicity and kidney failure. It can also lead to inflammation of the liver in certain people, particularly those with existing liver health issues.

How much does Valtrex reduce asymptomatic shedding?

Valacyclovir significantly reduced HSV-2 shedding during all days compared to placebo (mean 2.9% versus 13.5% of all days (P < . 01), a 78% reduction). Valacyclovir significantly reduced subclinical HSV-2 shedding during all days compared to placebo (mean 2.4% versus 11.0% of all days (P < .

Can you take Valtrex for years?

Valacyclovir is prescribed regularly for long-term (months to years) prophylaxis (suppression) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) mucocutaneous outbreaks, conditions that are not considered life threatening. Thus, an excellent therapeutic index is essential.

How do you know when you are viral shedding?

The most well-known symptom is a cluster of blisters or open sores in the genital or rectal area. Other symptoms, which might be mild or might not be recognized as being part of an infection, include: very small lesions. itching.

How effective is Valtrex suppressive therapy?

In control groups the same measure was 86% in patients. It is concluded, that continuous suppressive therapy of HSV infections with valacyclovir is safe and effective treatment, which strongly prevents reoccurrence or transmissions of HSV infections to sexual partners.

Does Valtrex reduce asymptomatic shedding?

Valacyclovir 1 g daily significantly reduced asymptomatic shedding compared with placebo in this population.