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How does Valtrex Work?
Valtrex is selectively absorbed into cells infected with Herpes Simplex Virus. Within the cell Herpes Simplex Virus coded enzymes convert Valtrex into its active form. This active form of the drug inhibits the growth and replication of Herpes Simplex Virus by interfering with viral DNA replication.
Valtrex is preferentially taken up and converted into its active form only by Herpes Simplex Virus infected cells. Thus, Valtrex is much less toxic for normal uninfected cells. What is episodic therapy and how does it work? With episodic therapy, you take medication for several days at the first sign of an oral or genital Herpes Simplex Virus outbreak. Episodic therapy works by disrupting the process by which the herpes virus reproduces itself and spreads to other cells in the body. Medication, taken early in the reactivation cycle, may shorten the duration or severity of symptoms. How is Valtrex taken for episodic therapy? For the first episode of infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Valtrex is taken in a dosage of 1-gram twice daily for 10 days. For recurrent episodes of infection with Herpes Simplex Virus Valtrex is taken in a dosage of 500-milligrams twice daily for 3 days. How effective is Valtrex for episodic therapy? In clinical trials, Valtrex shortened the healing time of genital herpes sores by 33% (four days v. six days) on average compared to placebo. Perhaps as importantly, the duration of pain associated with genital herpes was reduced by 25% (three days v. four days) in patients who received Valtrex as opposed to placebo. Valtrex also stopped viral shedding 50% (two days v. four days) faster on average than placebo. Viral shedding is the process in which virus is released from the skin during an outbreak of genital herpes. What is suppressive therapy and how does it work? With suppressive therapy, medication can be taken every day to help suppress outbreaks of Herpes Simplex Virus infection before they occur. While on suppressive drug therapy, some people can go 6 months or longer without an outbreak. How does suppressive therapy differ from episodic therapy? You may now be taking medication as symptoms of an outbreak begin in order to reduce the outbreak's severity and duration. (This method of treatment is called "acute therapy" or "episodic therapy.") However, treating genital Herpes Simplex Virus infections this way does not actually affect the number of outbreaks you may experience. In contrast, suppressive therapy means taking daily medication to help suppress outbreaks before symptoms ever begin. How is Valtrex taken for suppressive therapy? The recommended dosage of Valtrex for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 1-gram once daily. In patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dosage is 500-milligrams once daily. How effective is Valtrex for suppressive therapy? Over half of the patients (55%) who experienced a high frequency of outbreaks (6 or more per year) did not have a single outbreak for 6 months while taking a 1-gram Valtrex Caplet once a day. Only 7% of those taking placebo (sugar pill) avoided an outbreak in 6 months. By the end of 12 months, 33% of the patients taking Valtrex still had not had a single outbreak compared to only 4% of those taking placebo (sugar pill). Patients with nine or fewer outbreaks showed comparable results with Valtrex 500 mg once daily. There are no data on the safety or effectiveness of suppressive therapy longer than 1 years duration. Are there any side effects? Nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of appetite, weakness, stomach pain or dizziness may occur for the first several days after therapy has begun as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects continue or become bothersome, you may have to discontinue the medication. What are the precautions? On your medical history/personal profile let us know if you have any kidney disease, blood disorders or if you have any allergies. This medication should be used only if clearly needed during pregnancy. It is not know if the medicine appears in breast milk. More Information About Valtrex   |
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Other News and Information:
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