How does Valtrex work?
VALTREX is the only once-a-day prescription medication proven to suppress future genital herpes outbreaks. VALTREX works by disrupting the process by which the herpes virus reproduces itself and spreads to other cells in the body. There is no cure for genital herpes, and no drug has been proven to prevent the spread of herpes to others. Use VALTREX to suppress herpes outbreaks or to treat them when they occur.
• Just one caplet once a day effectively suppresses outbreaks, and for some people, may suppress them altogether for up to a year. The recommended dosage for suppressive therapy is 1 g, once a day. In patients with a history of nine or fewer outbreaks per year an alternative dose is 500 mg, once a day.
• Just 500 mg twice a day for 3 days speeds healing and reduces the duration of pain of a recurrent outbreak
The most common side effects are headache, nausea and abdominal pain. VALTREX is intended for adults with normal immune systems. If your immune system is not normal because of advanced HIV disease or bone marrow or kidney transplant, make sure your doctor knows this to avoid a potentially serious complication.
