From the Guidelines
Valtrex (valacyclovir) can be taken daily as suppressive therapy for oral herpes, with a recommended dosage of 500 mg once daily, as supported by the most recent guidelines 1. This approach is particularly beneficial for individuals who experience frequent outbreaks (more than 6 per year). Daily suppressive therapy not only reduces outbreak frequency but also decreases viral shedding, potentially making you less contagious to others even when no symptoms are present. Before starting daily Valtrex, consult with your healthcare provider to ensure it's appropriate for your specific situation. Some key points to consider include:
- Common side effects may include headache, nausea, and stomach pain, though most people tolerate the medication well 1.
- Adequate hydration is important while taking Valtrex.
- The medication works by inhibiting viral DNA replication, preventing the herpes simplex virus from multiplying.
- For those with kidney problems, dose adjustments may be necessary, as indicated by earlier guidelines 1. While daily suppressive therapy can significantly reduce outbreaks, it doesn't completely eliminate the risk of transmission or future outbreaks. It's also worth noting that daily anti-HSV suppressive therapy in HIV-infected persons also results in a decrease in HIV concentration in plasma and anal and genital secretions, as reported in the 2009 guidelines 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE
1.1 Adult Patients Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis) VALTREX is indicated for treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis).
The FDA drug label does not provide information on using Valtrex daily for oral herpes. The label indicates that Valtrex is used for the treatment of cold sores, but it does not specify daily use for oral herpes. Key points to consider:
- Indication: Valtrex is indicated for the treatment of cold sores.
- Dosage: The label does not provide a daily dosage for oral herpes.
- Usage: The label does not support daily use of Valtrex for oral herpes 2.
From the Research
Valtrex Daily for Oral Herpes
- Valtrex, also known as valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes simplex virus infections, including oral herpes 3, 4.
- The medication works by increasing the bioavailability of acyclovir, which is the active ingredient in Valtrex, allowing for less frequent dosing 3.
- Studies have shown that valacyclovir is effective in reducing the duration of viral shedding, hastening lesion healing, and decreasing lesion-associated pain in patients with genital herpes 3, 5.
- For oral herpes, valacyclovir has been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of outbreaks 4.
- The typical dosage of valacyclovir for oral herpes is 500-1000mg twice daily for 5-10 days, although the exact dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the individual case 3, 4.
- Valacyclovir has been found to be well-tolerated and safe for long-term use, with a low incidence of adverse effects and resistance to the medication 6, 7.
- Once-daily dosing of valacyclovir has been shown to be effective and well-tolerated for suppressive therapy in patients with recurrent genital herpes, and may also be beneficial for patients with oral herpes 5, 7.