Background
- Also known as Valtrex
- Prodrug of acyclovir but with easier dosing
Dosing
- HSV
- Mucocutaneous
- Immunocompetent
- Initial episode: 1 g p.o. twice daily for 7 to 10 days (may be extended)
- Recurrent episode: 1 g po. daily for 5 days
- Suppressive therapy: 500 to 1000 mg p.o. daily
- Immunocompromised
- Episode: 1 g p.o. twice daily for 5 to 10 days
- Suppressive therapy: 500 mg p.o. twice daily
- Orolabial (cold sores)
- Initial episode: 1 g p.o. twice daily for 7 to 10 days
- Recurrent episode: 2 g p.o. twice daily for 2 doses
- Prophylaxis in transplant: 500 mg p.o. twice daily
- VZV
- Localized shingles (within 72 hours of onset): 1 g p.o. three times daily for 7 to 10 days
- Disseminated zoster: 1 g p.o. three times daily to complete 10 to 14 days
- Opthalmicus: 1 g p.o. three times daily for 7 days
- Uncomplicated varicella (chickenpox) (within 24 hours of onset): 1 g p.o. three times daily for 5 to 7 days until lesions have crusted
- Prophylaxis in transplant: 500 mg p.o. twice daily
