How fast does valacyclovir work on cold sores

Together, you and your doctor can decide if Valtrex or another medication or treatment is a good choice to treat your cold sores. For more information, read about the seven best cold sore remedies. Herpes simplex virus is common in the United States. Herpes esophagitis is caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 HSV The infection can cause some chest pain and difficulty swallowing.

Recurrent herpes simplex labialis is a condition of the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus. HPV and herpes are both common viruses that are typically transmitted sexually. They share many traits: Both can present with genital warts, have no…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect.

Valtrex treatment Dosage Effectiveness Tips Side effects Warnings Other options Takeaway Introduction Cold sores are painful and oozing, and they always seem to appear before that wedding or class reunion. Treating cold sores with Valtrex. Tips for taking Valtrex. Side effects of Valtrex.

Other Treatment Options. Talk with your doctor. Read this next. Valtrex is a prescription antiviral medication to shorten the duration of genital or oral herpes cold sores and shingles. It is available through prescription only and may cause mild side effects in some people. This article reviews the uses, dosages, and potential side effects of Valtrex. Valtrex is not a cure for cold sores.

However, it may help shorten the duration of the sores and blisters during flare-ups. However, a doctor may prescribe Valtrex for people who are immunocompromised, depending on the severity of the condition. People with kidney disease should inform their doctor, who can decrease the dosage of Valtrex or recommend an alternative medication depending on the severity of the condition. A person should talk to their doctor about their health conditions to determine whether they should take Valtrex.

Symptoms a person should watch for in and around the mouth include:. 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. Each dose consists of 2 grams of medication.

According to Harvard Health Publishing , cold sores can last for around 10—12 days without treatment. Valtrex may reduce the formation of cold sore blisters by up to 2 days. Valtrex may cause side effects for some people. According to the NLM , the most common side effects may include:. The most common side effect is a headache. The NLM also state that dizziness is a common side effect in people using Valtrex for cold sores.

Other symptoms may occur when treating either shingles or herpes with Valtrex at different or prolonged doses. The NLM state that there are no known major drug interactions between Valtrex and other medications.

We're Strut Health! This is our story. Start for Free What we treat. However, there may be an answer to shorten the duration of a cold sore This then leads to less healthy cells infected with the HSV virus and a quicker time to clear.

Try to take the 2 doses as close to 12 hours apart as possible for the best results. Do not take for more than 1 day for cold sore treatment. Valacyclovir is a prescription-only medication, and cannot be found over the counter. Valacyclovir is an oral antiviral medication that helps stop the replication of the virus. You should drink lots of water during Valacyclovir treatment.

You should expect Valacyclovir to reduce the duration of the cold sore by about 1 day. Start treatment at the first sign of a cold sore for the best results.

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