Is Valtrex better than valacyclovir?
Is Valtrex better than valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) and acyclovir (Zovirax) are antiviral drugs that work by interfering with viral DNA replication. Both drugs target the same viruses but valacyclovir provides longer duration of action, therefore, doses can be taken fewer times every day – this is the only real advantage.
Is valacyclovir generic for Valtrex?
Valacyclovir is the generic form of the brand Valtrex®. Both medications work similarly in the body. Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that is used to treat oral herpes and genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).
What’s the difference between Valtrex and acyclovir?
The main difference between acyclovir and valacyclovir is that acyclovir must be taken more frequently than valacyclovir and is therefore now usually preferred for outpatient treatment.
What is valacyclovir 500mg used for?
Descriptions. Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes virus infections, including herpes labialis (also known as cold sores), herpes zoster (also known as shingles), and herpes simplex (also known as genital herpes) in adults. It is also used to treat chickenpox and cold sores in children.
Does acyclovir or valacyclovir work faster?
Acyclovir works better if you take it as soon as possible after experiencing symptoms of herpes infection, chickenpox, or shingles. You can take acyclovir with or without meals, but it is best to take the medication with a full glass of water. You should take valacyclovir within 24 to 48 hours of the onset of symptoms.
Can you still have an outbreak on valacyclovir?
Powerful anti-herpes drugs — acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex) — prevent most outbreaks in most people. But they don’t eliminate virus hiding in nerve cells. Recent clinical trials failed to show that herpes drugs could prevent herpes transmission.
Which antiviral is best for COVID-19?
Remdesivir is a nucleotide analogue prodrug that is approved to treat COVID-19 in certain patients.
Does Valtrex lower your immune system?
However, because they suppress the immune system, these medicines also suppress the ability of the body to fight infection. Valaciclovir is therefore given to people who have received an organ transplant, in order to help the body kill off any CMV virus.
Can I take 1000 mg of Valtrex at once?
The usual dose is 20 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, taken three times a day for 5 days. However, the dose is usually not more than 1000 mg three times a day.