How often can you take valtrex?

Valtrex is a medication that has gained a lot of popularity in recent years, and for good reason. It’s effective at treating herpes outbreaks and can help prevent them from occurring altogether. However, if you’re considering taking Valtrex, you may be wondering how often it’s safe to take the medication. In this article, we’ll explore the answer to this question so you know exactly what to expect.

What Is Valtrex And How Does It Work?

Before diving into how often you can take Valtrex, let’s first discuss what it is and how it works. Valtrex is an antiviral medication that’s used primarily to treat herpes simplex virus infections (HSV-1 and HSV-2). The active ingredient in Valtrex is valacyclovir hydrochloride which blocks the replication of viruses inside human cells by preventing their DNA synthesis.

When taken consistently as prescribed by your healthcare provider who actually knows what they are talking about, Valacyclovir has been found to reduce the number of herpes outbreaks people experience as well as shorten their duration when one does occur.

How Often Can You Take Valtrex For Herpes Outbreaks?

Now let’s get into the meat of our topic: how often can you safely take Valtrex? If you’ve already had a consultation with your doctor or qualified nurse,

they might suggest that when it comes to using this medicine during episodes of recurrent genital herpes, 4 types of dosages have been approved in typical cases although certain variations could apply:

Standard Dose

If someone experiences 6 or more outbursts yearly then standard dose suggested would usually vary between :
One gram twice daily
500 mg once daily

The period could last approximately five days although recommendations differ amongst physicians.The safest time frame though should not go beyond ten days within this dosage.

Episodic Therapy

Episodic therapy is recommended for individuals experiencing less than six herpes outbreaks per year. This dose or period would constitute of:
A single one gram dose
One gram twice daily dosages administered within 24 hour periods and separated by approximately twelve hours.

The period usually lasts between 5-10 days with occasional variations stated by health practitioners.

Suppressive Treatment

Patients who experience frequent recurring infections can be placed in suppressive treatment thereby using smaller doses over longer periods.
patients who face at a minimum of ten flare-ups annually are grouped under this regimen
Patients facing frequency ranges from fewer than ten to no outbreak(s) at all could also use the suppressive therapy regime, especially if antiviral suppression boosts their quality of life or that of their partner.

Suppression composes regularly-taking small dosage or quantities probably on average for about four weeks per year. The Valtrex pill comes in several strengths like 500 mg and one gm tablets as well as suspension variants but these amounts will depend on each person’s needs.

If you’re prescribed Valtrex for episodic outbreaks, the medication should be started immediately after symptoms appear, which include itching, burning, tingling sensation around your genitals/reactivation sites (more appropriately),or blisters forming sores that refuse to heal naturally rather than just general discomforts which could very well signal some other sort of infection altogether.

What Happens If You Take Too Much Valtrex?

As with any medication taking more than the recommended amount can lead to an unintended result; hence using knowledge acquired through consultation seems wise thus far. According to Dr.Google who isn’t always reliable, if you accidentally take too much valacyclovir hydrochloride not only do I worry it may cause mouthful but nausea migraine headaches dizziness along feverish thoughts .

Keep doing what works best for you and don’t overuse the medication. In case you fall sick from the side effects, speak with your healthcare provider to provide further medical advice ASAP.

Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Valtrex Frequently?

Aside from accidentally taking too much, is it safe to take Valtrex frequently for suppressive therapy? Experts may argue that as long as recommended dosages and treatment periods are abided by; Valtrex has been generally reported to be safe. You might be relieved reading this but still incurs some risks occasionally.

Some known but less severe side effects can occur after frequent use of valacyclovir including:
Headaches
Dizziness
Abdominal pains
Fresh outbreaks while on suppressive medications

You could also experience some rare but more serious reactions like hallucinations, persistent shaking or severe abdominal pain contact your doctor immediately.
The rule with all medications should always stick to strictly adhering to the recommended dosage unless given instruction otherwise by physicians.

Final Thoughts

Valtrex continues rapidly in becoming an increasingly popular choice among folks suffering from herpes simplex virus infections.”Better prevent than cure right?” I mean no one really savours their lives ever crumbling down following unexpected outbreaks and using a proven method seems effective enough.As discussed above regarding prophylaxis (between episodes), standard treatments,infection suppression etc., we hope we have passed across accurate course of action guided strictly based on consultation which readers will choose according.

It’s important to remember this though: Whenever in doubt about something related or unrelated feel free(and most times required)to consult professional medical practitioners rather than relying solely on self-diagnosis/stds-related websites!

Random Posts