How does VALTREX work?
VALTREX disrupts the process by which the herpes virus reproduces itself and spreads to other cells in the body. This helps to keep the virus inactive, or "sleeping."
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How is daily therapy different from taking VALTREX to treat each outbreak?
Instead of treating each outbreak as it occurs, taking VALTREX once daily, whether or not you have symptoms, can reduce the number of outbreaks you get. Once-daily VALTREX, along with safer sex practices, has also been proven to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes to a partner.
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Is daily therapy right for me?
Daily therapy may be right for you if:
- You want to increase your chances of being outbreak-free.
- Your outbreaks are bothersome, annoying, and you wish you had fewer of them.
- Your partner doesn't have genital herpes. The CDC recommends daily medication as part of a plan to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes.
If any of these statements are true, talk to your healthcare provider about daily therapy with VALTREX. You may find that it can be a great treatment option for you because it can help reduce the number of outbreaks you have. Once-daily VALTREX is also the only medication proven to reduce the risk of spreading genital herpes.
See CDC STD Treatment Guidelines, 2006.
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Can I try daily therapy?
You will need to discuss this issue with your doctor or healthcare provider to determine if daily therapy is right for you.
- Tell him or her you're interested in finding out about daily therapy and obtaining a trial prescription of VALTREX, if appropriate.
- Tell him or her how genital herpes has affected you.
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How does outbreak therapy with VALTREX work?
To treat returning genital herpes outbreaks as they happen, the standard dose of VALTREX is 500 mg twice daily for 3 days. VALTREX is most effective when taken within 24 hours of the start of signs or symptoms. There are no studies that show how well VALTREX will work if you take it more than 24 hours after the start of symptoms.
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If my outbreak symptoms go away, can I stop taking VALTREX?
It's important to always take a full course of the medication your doctor prescribes. If you're taking VALTREX for daily therapy, that usually means you take 1 g or alternatively 500 mg once a day, every day. If you're taking VALTREX for outbreak therapy, that usually means you take 500 mg twice daily for 3 full days.
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What if I miss a dose of VALTREX?
If you miss a dose of VALTREX, take it as soon as you remember and then take your next dose at its regular time. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time.
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