Can You overdose on Valtrex?
valtrex. Valtrex is the dominant brand name, valacylcovir the generic name. Do not take both; it would be an overdose. (Probably not harmful, but not recommended.) You get maximum effectiveness against oral herpes with the 2 g (2000 mg) dose taken twice a day apart; higher, more frequent, or more prolonged treatment will make no difference.
How quickly does Valtrex take full effect?
Valtrex, which contains the active ingredient valacyclovir, can help your cold sores clear up faster. It can also reduce the number of cold sores you get. Read on to learn how Valtrex works and how to use it to treat your cold sores. Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days.
Can Valtrex be bought over the counter?
Valtrex is a prescription medication, so there is really no over the counter equivalent, however, you can get the exact same medication delivered right to your door within a day and in discreet packaging. No more doctor’s appointments, awkward visits to the pharmacy, and disgusted glances from strangers.
Can I take 2 grams of Valtrex at once?
The recommended dosage of VALTREX for treatment of cold sores is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning).
How much Valtrex should I take during an outbreak?
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.
Can I take 2 1000 mg valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir FAQs. At that earliest sign, take two tablets of valacyclovir 1000 mg for a total of 2000 mg as your first dose. Then, 12 hours later, take two tablets of 1000 mg of valacyclovir for a total of 2000 mg as your second dose.
Can you take valacyclovir 500 mg twice a day?
Abstract. Valacyclovir given in a 5-day regimen of 500 mg twice per day is effective as short-term treatment of episodes of recurrent genital herpes.
Can I take valacyclovir 3 times a day?
Valacyclovir comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken every 8 hours (three times a day) for 7 days to treat shingles. To treat genital herpes it is usually taken twice a day for 5 days.
How many valacyclovir 500mg Can I take a day?
The recommended dosage of VALTREX for treatment of initial genital herpes is 1 gram twice daily for 10 days. Therapy was most effective when administered within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms. The recommended dosage of VALTREX for treatment of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg twice daily for 3 days.
How long does it take Valtrex to clear up an outbreak?
For most initial herpes outbreaks and cases of recurring herpes, valacyclovir takes effect very quickly and provides some level of relief in as little as two to three days. Generally, the sooner you take valacyclovir after noticing symptoms, the faster it will be to provide relief.
Can I take 1000 mg of Valtrex at once?
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.
Can you take more than 2 doses of Valtrex?
A person should not take more than 1 day (2 doses) of Valtrex when treating cold sores. Take the two doses 12 hours apart. Each dose consists of 2 grams of medication.
Can you still have outbreaks on Valtrex?
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.
Can I take 3000mg of valacyclovir?
To align with recommendations in drug prescribing references, a higher dose of antiviral therapy was defined as at least 4,000 mg/day for acyclovir, 3,000 mg/day for valacyclovir, and 1,500 mg/day for famciclovir.
What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Valtrex (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. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes.
Can you take 250 mg Valtrex?
Your doctor may recommend that you take this as a divided dose (i.e. 250 mg twice daily). If you previously have had more than 10 recurrences (attacks) in one year, your doctor may recommend that you take 1000 mg of Valtrex once daily to prevent recurrences.
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What Is Valtrex?
Valtrex (valacyclovir) is a medication prescribed to treat certain viral infections, including chicken pox, cold sores, and other conditions caused by herpes viruses .
What is Valtrex Used For?
Valtrex is a tablet that should be swallowed. You can take Valtrex with or without food. It is important to stay hydrated when using Valtrex.
What Are the Side Effects of Valtrex?
This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. A medical professional can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a medical professional. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 800-FDA-1088.
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.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Valtrex?
If you take too much Valtrex, it can lead to acute kidney damage. This is a medical emergency that can cause toxicity in your body and the inability to make urine.
Precautions
If you or your child's symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
What Medications Are Similar?
There are several antiviral medications that are similar to Valtrex but do not have identical approved indications. These include: 4
How long does it take to take Zoster?
HIV-Infected Adults (guideline dosing): -Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: 1 g orally 3 times a day for 5 to 7 days; begin 7 to 10 days after exposure. Comments:
Does suppressive therapy decrease HSV-2?
Comments: -Suppressive therapy has been shown to decrease the rate of HSV-2 transmission in discordant, heterosexual couples when the source partner has a history of genital HSV-2 infection; in such cases, antiviral suppressive therapy should be part of a strategy to prevent transmission.
What are the side effects of Valtrex?
vomiting. stomach pain. The serious side effects of Valtrex can include: Serious side effect. Symptoms. kidney failure in people at risk of kidney damage. fever, back pain in area where kidneys are located, tiredness, trouble making urine. nervous system problems and unusual mood or behavior.
How does Valtrex work?
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.
What to do if your child can't swallow caplets?
If your child can’t swallow caplets, ask your pharmacist to make the caplets into an oral suspension (liquid). Be sure to drink lots of water. Since your kidneys help remove the metabolized drug from your body, it’s important to stay hydrated to lower the risk of serious side effects, such as kidney damage.
Is Valtrex a generic?
Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. It’s available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication (valacyclovir). The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths.
Is Valtrex safe for kidneys?
Warnings. Valtrex may not be the best choice for certain people. People with kidney damage or kidney failure may need a lower dosage of Valtrex. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have kidney problems before you start taking the drug.
Answers
Official Answer Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 22, 2020.
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How long does it take for valacyclovir to work?
For recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, valacyclovir works best if it is used within 24 hours after the symptoms begin to appear. If you are taking valacyclovir for the treatment of chickenpox, it is best to start taking valacyclovir as soon as possible after the first sign of the chickenpox rash appears, usually within one day.
How to store a med?
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Can you take Valacyclovir with meals?
Valacyclovir may be taken with meals or on an empty stomach. If you are using the oral suspension, use a specially marked measuring spoon or other device to measure each dose accurately. The average household teaspoon may not hold the right amount of liquid.
What is the best medication for herpes?
Valacyclovir (also known as Valtrex), is one of the most common medications used to treat the herpes simplex virus. Used regularly by millions of people worldwide, it’s a safe, highly effective drug that can control from herpes outbreaks and reduce the risk of spreading the virus.
How many outbreaks of herpes per year?
If you have genital herpes, you’ll 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.
Is Valacyclovir a suppressive?
Finally, valacyclovir is also used for suppressive therapy -- a method of reducing the risk of an infected person spreading herpes to their partner or family members, as well as restricting the ability of the virus to cause frequent outbreaks.