Main information about Valtrex

Valtrex has an antiviral activity and is used for the treatment of herpes virus. IthasaningredientValaciclovir. This ingredient is easily absorbed from the gastro-intestinal tract and decomposed to the active metabolite acyclovir and amino acid valine. The maximal concentration of Acyclovir is achieved in 2 hours after the use in the blood plasma, and therefore the therapeutic effect is noticed at the first day of the treatment.

The active ingredients of Valtrex enter the virus DNA and block a formation of new chains. This leads to the break of the current chains of DNA and blocking cell division. Valtrex is not able to completely cure of herpes virus but it quickly transfers virus into a latent form and lowers a possibility of the repeated recrudescence.

In most cases the use of Valtrex helps to cope with the basic symptoms of herpes within 2-3 days. Some patients have a decreased sensitivity to the action of the drug. These are often people with low immunity or those who have had a bone marrow transplantation.

Valtrex is used for the treatment of herpes virus in patients with HIV and during chemotherapy but an individual approach and higher doses will be needed due to the low immunity. Valtrex is used for the treatment of any forms of herpes regardless of the site and severity of the disease.

Use and dose of Valtrex

In case of the attack of the herpes simplex virus, it is recommended to take a pill of Valtrex 500 mg 2 times per day within 5 days. The treatment should be started as soon as possible during the first signs of the herpes development on the skin or mucous membranes.

To prevent a relapse of the herpes virus (including genitals herpes), Valtrex 500 mg is taken once per day within 12 months. Patients with low immunity (especially during the frequent acute conditions more than 10 times per day) are recommended to take a pill of Valtrex 500 mg 2 times per day within a year.

To treat herpes zoster, it is necessary to take 2 pills of Valtrex 500 mg 3 times per day. A general daily dose is 3000 mg. The treatment lasts for 7 to 10 days depending on the disease symptoms.

To prevent cytomegalovirus disease after the transplantation of the internals, Valtrex is used in the dose of 2 g 4 times per day within 3 months.

Recommendations for the use

• Valtrex in pills should not be used by children under 3 years old. To treat herpes virus in this group of patients, it is better to use ointment for the external use which contains Acyclovir
• The active ingredients of Valtrex penetrate into the breast milk, and therefore the breast feeding should be terminated during the treatment
• There is not data about the safety of Valtrex for women during pregnancy. Valtrex might be safe for women and does not cause birth defects in children but this medicine should be used during pregnancy only after the prior consultation with a doctor
• The use of the immunostimulants will help to neutralize the herpes symptoms

Side effect

Valtrex has a rather good pharmacological safety and is approved by FDA for the use by adults and children. But a manufacturer states some side effects which may happen in rare cases during the use of Valtrex: headache, nausea, confusion, and discomfort in the stomach.