An appropriate valacyclovir dose depends on the reasons for taking this antiviral medication as well as the patient’s medical history. This medication is usually effective against viruses in the herpes family and can be used to treat active outbreaks, suppress future outbreaks, and reduce transmissibility. Patients may take it for long or short term therapy to control their infections. These viruses are chronic in nature and will remain in the body even with treatment, but it can be possible to suppress them with medication and lifestyle activities like stress reduction.
Care providers may recommend this medication to treat herpes zoster, also known as shingles, a painful outbreak that can cause a distinctive rash and nerve pain. It is also effective for herpes labialis, known as oral herpes, and herpes genitalis, a form that develops on and around the genitals. When a patient experiences the first signs of a herpes outbreak, a high dose and very short course of one to a few days may be recommended. The patient needs to take the valacyclovir dose as soon as possible for the medication to be effective.
If there are concerns about recurrence after an initial outbreak, a patient may take extended suppressive therapy. The valacyclovir dose will be lower than that used with the initial outbreak. As long as concentrations of the medication stay stable in the body, the patient’s risk of another outbreak will be reduced. This can also have the effect of limiting the chance of transmission. People may shed the virus even without active sores, making it critically important to take medication to avoid passing it to partners who are uninfected.
Patients who experience recurrent flareups after an initial herpes infection can also have short course, high dose drug therapy to address the problem. The valacyclovir dose should still be taken as close to the early warning signs, known as the prodromal phase, as possible. Patients may notice symptoms like heat, tingling, and numbness around the mouth or genitals before sores develop. These signs can be used to determine when the valacyclovir dose should be taken or increased, in the case of a patient on maintenance therapy.
Some valacyclovir side effects can include headache, nausea, and dizziness. This medication may cause kidney damage in some patients. Signs of serious side effects, like injury to the kidneys, may involve confusion, nerve tremors, and dark or bloody urine. Patients who notice anything abnormal while on this medication should contact their care providers to discuss the situation and determine if they should continue the valacyclovir therapy.
