Dosage information for Valacyclovir
As with any medication prescription or over the counter, there are different dosages for different people. Dosage may depend on age, risk factors and medical history. It is important to discuss medical history with your doctor before taking Valaciclovir.
Dosage depends on a few different factors including:
- Your age
- Your weight, for children
- The medical condition you are being treated for
- Any other types of medical conditions you may have
- Other medication currently being taken
Valaciclovir Adult dosage:
- Cold sores: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir for treatment of cold sores is 2 grams twice daily, taken 12 hours apart. Valacyclovir should be taken as soon as the first symptom is noticeable.
- Genital Herpes: initial episode: One gram twice daily for ten days. For best results take valacyclovir within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms.
- Recurrent Episodes: For people that experience recurrent episodes of genital herpes, the recommended dosage of valacyclovir is 500 mg twice daily for three days. Take valacyclovir at first sign or symptom of an onset.
- Suppressive Therapy: For chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes, the dosage recommendation is one gram once daily in patients with a normal immune function. In patients with a history of nine or fewer recurrences per year should take 500 mg once daily. For patients with HIV and a CD4+ cell count should take valacyclovir twice daily at 500 mg.
- Reduction of Transmission: For reduction of transmission of genital herpes in patients with a history of nine or fewer recurrences per year should take 500 mg once daily for the source partner.
- Herpes Zoster: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir for treatment of herpes zoster is 1 gram three times daily for seven days. Valacyclovir should be taken at the first sign of herpes zoster and is most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of the rash.
- Shingles: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir is 1 gram taken three times daily for seven days.
Valacyclovir dosage for Children
- Cold Sores: The recommended dosage of valacyclovir for treatment of cold sores in pediatric patients 12 years of age is 2 grams twice daily for one day taken 12 hours apart.
- Chickenpox: For treatment of chickenpox in pediatric patients 2 to 18 years of age, the dosage recommendation is 20 mg taken three times daily for five days. Valacyclovir should be administered at the first signs of chickenpox.
Other dosage information - Valacyclovir should be taken at the first sign of an outbreak. It works best if taken as early as possible; the medication may not work if taken too late.
- Take valacyclovir at the same time every day.
- If you do not take the medication as scheduled, take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
- Valacyclovir can be taken with or without food. If stomach irritation occurs, try taking valacyclovir with food.
- For valacyclovir to work correctly, you must take it as prescribed. Valacyclovir will not work if you take if differently than how your doctor recommends.
Dosage varies from person to person and it is very important to discuss all medical history and medications you are taking before starting valacyclovir or any other type of drug.