Description
Valtrex belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. The drug works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes simplex (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Valtrex can be used to:
treatment of shingles (in adults)
treatment of HSV skin infections and genital herpes (in adults and adolescents over 12 years). It is also used to prevent the recurrence of these infections.
treatment of cold sores (in adults and adolescents over 12 years)
prevention of CMV infection after organ transplantation (in adults and adolescents over 12 years)
treatment and prevention of HSV eye infections that continue to recur (in adults and adolescents over 12 years).
Treatment of shingles
The usual dose is 1,000 mg (one 1,000 mg tablet or two 500 mg tablets) three times a day.
You should take Valtrex for seven days.
Treatment of cold sores
The usual dose is 2,000 mg (two 1,000 mg tablets or four 500 mg tablets) twice a day.
The second dose should be taken 12 hours (not earlier than 6 hours) after the first dose.
You should only take Valtrex for one day (two doses).
Treatment of HSV skin infections and genital herpes
The usual dose is 500 mg (one 500 mg tablet or two 250 mg tablets) twice a day.
