Valacyclovir is essentially an antiviral drug or medicine. It is used for treating cold sores, shingles and genital herpes.

Valtrex is the brand which makes this drug so in most of the cases valtrex and valacyclovir means the same thing and are substitutable.

The dosage of Valacyclovir is in the form of 500 mg and 1 gram tablets. The dosage is different for different people. One must follow the doctor’s instructions for it.

Forms

Form of Valacyclovir Dosage be differentiated on the basis of age, i.e., whether the patient is an adult or a pediatric.

Valtrex or Valacyclovir comes in two forms: Tablet and film coated and are available at 500 mg and 1 gram tablet form. The usual dosage generally given for each ailment is, if the patient is an adult, then following dosage is suggested:

Cold Sores

For Cold sores the recommended dosage is 2 grams of Valacyclovir every 12 hours for 1 day i.e. 2 grams twice a day, with a gap of 12 hours. Treatment should ideally be started at the appearance earliest symptoms for most effective results.

Shingles

For Shingles or Herpes Zoster, recommended dosage is 1 gram of Valacyclovir, 3 times daily and for 7 days. Treat the patient from the earliest symptoms of Shingles for effective results.

Genital Herpes

Valacyclovir prescription for Genital Herpes is not generic and depends on the condition of the ailment. If it the first episode of genital herpes in the patient then the recommended dosage is 1 grams of Valacyclovir given two times a day for 10 days. Valacyclovir treatment was found to be most effective when given within 48 hours of initial sign of ailment.

If appearance of genital herpes is frequent and repeated then 500 mg of Valacyclovir is recommended to be given to the patient. The dosage
is given two times a day and for 3 days. If the patient is a pediatric:

Kids With Cold Sores

For pediatric patients Cold Sore is recommended to be treated with 2 grams of Valacyclovir twice a day, with a gap of 12 hours and for 1 day. Treatment should be started at the earliest symptoms of cold sores.

Note: symptoms of cold sore are itching, burning and tingling. Patient should be administrated by doctor as early as possible.