Valtrex Indications and Dosage

In adult patients, Valtrex is commonly prescribed for treating genital herpes (as suppressive therapy, for initial episodes or to reduce transmission), cold sores and shingles. In pediatric patients, it's mainly used for the treatment of chickenpox. For cold sores, Valtrex is given as 2 g every 12 hours for one day. For initial episodes of genital herpes, Valtrex is taken at the dose of 1 g every 12 hours for 10 days, for suppressive therapy - 1 g every 24 hours for as long as prescribed. To reduce transmission it's taken at 500 mg every 24 hours for as long as prescribed. For chickenpox, Valtrex is administered at the dose of 1 g every 8 hours for 7 days. Pediatric dosages are lower: children older than 12 are supposed to take 2 g every 12 hours for a day for cold sores, while children with chickenpox from 2 to eighteen years of age are given Valtrex at the dose of 20 mg per kg every 8 hours for 5 days.

Valtrex treatment must be started as soon as possible after the first symptoms of the infection appear, before it's been 48 hours. When taken after this period, Valtrex may not be as efficient. You can take every dose of Valtrex with a full glass of water. You may choose to take it with some food or without, but it should be taken in the same way every time.