Valacyclovir Dosing

The recommended Valacyclovir dosing guidelines vary, depending on your age, other medical conditions you have, and medications you are taking. The recommended dosage for shingles is 1000 mg, three times a day, for seven days. To treat cold sores, the recommended dose is 2000 mg, twice a day, for one day. Dosing guidelines for genital herpes will depend on whether it is the first outbreak, a recurrent outbreak, or used to prevent future outbreaks. For treating chickenpox, the dosage will depend on the child's weight.

 

An Overview of Valacyclovir Dosing

The dose of valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex®) that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • Your weight (for children) 
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Valacyclovir Dosing for Shingles

For the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster) in adults, the dose of valacyclovir is 1000 mg (1 gram) by mouth, three times a day, for seven days.
 

Valacyclovir Dosing for Cold Sores

When treating cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults and children at least 12 years old, the dose of valacyclovir is 2000 mg (2 grams), taken twice a day for one day. The two doses should be taken about 12 hours apart.
 

Valacyclovir Dosing for Genital Herpes

The following sections describe the typical valacyclovir doses when treating and managing genital herpes in adults.
(Valacyclovir Dosing Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;