From the Guidelines
The standard dosing of Valtrex (valacyclovir) for cold sores is 2 grams taken twice daily for one day, with doses separated by about 12 hours. This medication should be started at the earliest sign of a cold sore (tingling, itching, or burning) for maximum effectiveness. For best results, take the first 2-gram dose immediately when symptoms begin and the second 2-gram dose 12 hours later. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying, which helps reduce the duration and severity of the outbreak. The medication is most effective when taken early in the course of an outbreak, ideally within 24 hours of symptom onset. Common side effects may include headache, nausea, or dizziness. If you experience cold sores frequently (more than 6 outbreaks per year), talk to your healthcare provider about daily suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment. Patients with kidney problems may require dose adjustment, so inform your doctor about any kidney issues before starting treatment. Some studies suggest alternative dosing regimens, such as valacyclovir 500 mg orally twice a day for 5 days 1, or valacyclovir 1 g orally twice a day for 7-10 days 1, however, the most effective and recommended dosing is 2 grams taken twice daily for one day. It's essential to follow the recommended dosing to ensure maximum efficacy and minimize potential side effects.
From the FDA Drug Label
The recommended dosage of VALTREX for treatment of cold sores is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning). The recommended dosage of VALTREX for the treatment of cold sores in pediatric patients aged greater than or equal to 12 years is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning).
The standard dosing of Valtrex for cold sores is:
- 2 grams twice daily for 1 day, taken 12 hours apart, for adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older. This dosing applies to both adults and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older, and therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore 2 2.
From the Research
Standard Dosing of Valtrex for Cold Sores
The standard dosing of Valtrex for cold sores is as follows:
- For episodic treatment, the typical dose is 2 grams every 12 hours for 1 day, taken at the first sign of a cold sore [ 3 ].
- For chronic suppressive therapy, the typical dose is 1 gram once daily [ 3 ].
Key Considerations
Some key considerations for the dosing of Valtrex for cold sores include:
- The dose should be taken at the first sign of a cold sore, ideally in the prodromal stage and no later than 48 hours from the onset of lesions [ 3 ].
- Valacyclovir has greater oral bioavailability and is better absorbed than acyclovir, requiring less frequent dosing [ 4, 5,3 ].
- Topical antiviral agents can also be used for episodic treatment of cold sores, but are not effective in preventing recurrent episodes [ 3 ].
Comparison with Other Antivirals
Valacyclovir has been compared with other antivirals, such as famciclovir and acyclovir, in terms of efficacy and safety: