Is there a difference between valacyclovir and Valtrex?
Official answer. Valacyclovir (Valtrex) and acyclovir (Zovirax) are antiviral drugs that work by interfering with viral DNA replication. Both drugs target the same viruses but valacyclovir provides longer duration of action, therefore, doses can be taken fewer times every day – this is the only real advantage.
What is the brand name for Valtrex?
Valacyclovir oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug. Brand name: Valtrex. Valacyclovir comes only as a tablet you take by mouth. Valacyclovir oral tablet is used to treat viral infections caused by a group of viruses called herpes simplex viruses.
Is generic Valtrex the same?
Valacyclovir is a generic drug, which is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. Valacyclovir is available as a brand-name drug called Valtrex.
What is the generic name for Valtrex?
GENERIC NAME: VALACYCLOVIR – ORAL (val-uh-SYE-klo-veer)
How long does it take Valtrex to clear up an outbreak?
For most initial herpes outbreaks and cases of recurring herpes, valacyclovir takes effect very quickly and provides some level of relief in as little as two to three days. Generally, the sooner you take valacyclovir after noticing symptoms, the faster it will be to provide relief.
Which antiviral is best for cold sores?
To prevent cold sores, valacyclovir or another antiviral drug, acyclovir (Zovirax), can be taken daily. This reduces the chance of a cold sore coming back by about one-third.
Does generic Valtrex work well?
Valtrex is the brand name for valacyclovir hydrochloride. The brand and generic versions of the medication are chemically the same, work the same way, and are equally effective at treating herpes virus infections. Herpes virus infections include cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox.
How long does 500 mg Valtrex stay in your system?
Valtrex stays in the body for about 24 hours after ingestion and is eliminated from the system if another dose isn’t taken. It can take up to 10 days for Valtrex to start working. The amount of time it takes your symptoms to go away will depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, and your metabolism.
What color is generic Valtrex?
This medicine is a blue, oblong, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “VALTREX 500 mg”. This medicine is a blue, oblong, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “VALTREX 500 mg”.
What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?
What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Valtrex (Valacyclovir)? Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to help keep you from spreading the herpes virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes.
What happens if you take valacyclovir everyday?
A new study shows that daily therapy with the antiviral drug Valtrex significantly lowers the risk of transmitting genital herpes among heterosexual couples in which one partner is infected with the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
What vitamin prevents cold sores?
Vitamin C plus flavonoids may help speed cold sore healing. Vitamin C has been shown to inactivate herpes viruses in the test tube. In one study, people with herpes infections received either a placebo or 200 mg of vitamin C plus 200 mg of flavonoids, each taken three to five times per day.
Does Valtrex work if you already have blisters?
There is no clinical data to indicate that Valtrex will have any effect if a person starts taking it after blisters have formed. A person should not take more than 1 day (2 doses) of Valtrex when treating cold sores. Take the two doses 12 hours apart.
How do you know if Valtrex is working?
It can take up to seven to 10 days for Valtrex to start working for some people, while others may feel relief from their symptoms after a day or two. The amount of time it takes your symptoms to go away will depend on your age, the severity of your symptoms, and your metabolism.
What does Valtrex 500mg look like?
Valtrex 500 mg tablet
This medicine is a blue, oblong, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “VALTREX 500 mg”. This medicine is a blue, oblong, film-coated, tablet imprinted with “VALTREX 500 mg”.
How long can you stay on valacyclovir?
You may need to take the medicine for only 1 day or for just a few days. To prevent recurrent genital herpes, you may need to take valacyclovir for up to 1 year. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully.
What foods trigger Coldsores?
Some foods to avoid are: citrus fruits, tomatoes, fruit juices, wine, soda, pickles, and vinegar-based salad dressings. Hot and spicy foods can also have a tendency to break cold sores. We recommend eating warm foods, and reducing salt and spice consumption.
What deficiency causes cold sores?
Vitamin B deficiency has been linked with cold sore outbreaks. There are actually eight distinct vitamins in the B family — thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine, biotin, folic acid, and cobalamin — which are responsible for promoting a strong immune system and healthy cell growth.
What vitamins prevent cold sores?
How many 500mg Valtrex can I take?
Adults—500 milligrams (mg) two times a day for three days. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
What vitamin deficiency causes cold sores?
Can I take 3 Valtrex a day?
The usual dose is 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, taken three times a day for 5 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg three times a day.
How quickly does Valtrex work?
What can I take daily to prevent cold sores?
To prevent cold sores, valacyclovir or another antiviral drug, acyclovir (Zovirax), can be taken daily. This reduces the chance of a cold sore coming back by about one-third. It could also help if you avoid triggers, such as exposure to sun or wind, that can activate the cold sore virus.