Valtrex Dosage/Direction for Use

Adults: Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles): The dosage is 1,000 mg of VALTREX to be taken three times daily for seven days.
Treatment of herpes simplex infections: For treatment of herpes simplex, 500 mg of VALTREX to be taken twice daily.
For recurrent episodes, treatment should be for 5 days. For initial episodes, which can be more severe, treatment may have to be extended to 10 days. Dosing should begin as early as possible. For recurrent episodes of herpes simplex, this should ideally be during the prodromal period or immediately the first signs or symptoms appear.
Children: There are no data available on the use of VALTREX in children.
Elderly: The possibility of renal impairment in the elderly must be considered and the dosage should be adjusted accordingly (see Renal impairment as follows).
Adequate hydration should be maintained.
Renal Impairment: Caution is advised when administering valaciclovir to patients with impaired renal function. Adequate hydration should be maintained.
The dosage of Valtrex should be reduced in patients with significantly impaired renal function as shown in the table as follows: (See table.)


Click on icon to see table/diagram/image


In patients on hemodialysis, the VALTREX dosage recommended for patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 15 mL/min should be used. This should be administered after the haemodialysis has been performed.
Hepatic Impairment: Studies with a 1 g unit dose of VALTREX show that dose modification is not required in patients with mild or moderate cirrhosis (hepatic synthetic function maintained). Pharmacokinetic data in patients with advanced cirrhosis (impaired hepatic synthetic function and evidence of portal-systemic shunting) do not indicate the need for dosage adjustment; however, clinical experience is limited.
Dosage in special patient groups: No specific dosage recommendations.
Monitoring Advice: No special monitoring necessary.
Instruction for Use: No special instruction for use.