I Recently Went To The Doctor For Cold Sore Symptoms

Posted on Sat, 4 Jan 2020

Question: I recently went to the doctor for cold sore symptoms which I’ve had to treat multiple times before, and they prescribed me valacyclovir 1g three times a day for 7 days. But all the other times I went to the doctor they prescribed 2g twice one day and that’s it. I followed her instructions and yet I’m not getting any better actually worse and developing red dots on my lips and it’s been 4 days. Was the dosage wrong? What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Regarding herpes labialis and valacyclovir

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to ask a doctor service. I have gone through your query and noted your concern.

I am not sure 1gm, three times a day, is the right dose of valacyclovir for herpes labialis. The recommended dose of valacyclovir in Herpes labialis is just 2 doses of 2gm, 12 hours apart. The dose of valacyclovir (1gm×3 for 7 days) you've been prescribed is that of Herpes Zoster/ shingles rather than of Herpes Labialis. Nevertheless, inspite of that, if you indeed have an episode of cold sores, it should improve rather than get worse with the dosage of oral valacyclovir that you've been taking.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you need any more assistance.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad