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How Should Valacyclovir Be Taken?
I was given a prescription for shingles today. Valacyclovir 1 gm. I have 14 pills. The bottle says take 2 every twelve hours. So with 2 I would finish them in 3 & 1/2 days or should it be 1 every 12 hours and take 7 days. Can't get a hold of Rx. Thank you!
posted on
Fri, 28 Jul 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 5 Aug 2017
Answered on
Mon, 7 Aug 2017
Last reviewed on
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Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern
1. Valacyclovir is an antiviral prescription medicine approved by U.S. FDA for the treatment and prevention of herpes zoster [shingles] infection and this is the regime which I follow with the drug in my patient, [if still in doubt you should check with the pharmacist or medicine/infectious disease or skin specialist regarding proper dosage schedule]
. The tablet comes in a pack of 3 with the dosage in shingles as:
1 gm thrice daily [every 8 hours] for 7 days which means 21 pills but in your case, you have 14 pills with 12-hour duration which means that you have to take 1 pill every 12 hours i.e. twice daily so that it will finish in 7 days
PS. maintain adequate hydration and check with liver function test and blood count [if any abnormality found, is/are transient with its use but if there are serious side effects that can harm red blood cells like easy bruising/bleeding, bloody diarrhea/vomiting, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately
Thanks for contacting HCM with your health concern
1. Valacyclovir is an antiviral prescription medicine approved by U.S. FDA for the treatment and prevention of herpes zoster [shingles] infection and this is the regime which I follow with the drug in my patient, [if still in doubt you should check with the pharmacist or medicine/infectious disease or skin specialist regarding proper dosage schedule]
. The tablet comes in a pack of 3 with the dosage in shingles as:
1 gm thrice daily [every 8 hours] for 7 days which means 21 pills but in your case, you have 14 pills with 12-hour duration which means that you have to take 1 pill every 12 hours i.e. twice daily so that it will finish in 7 days
PS. maintain adequate hydration and check with liver function test and blood count [if any abnormality found, is/are transient with its use but if there are serious side effects that can harm red blood cells like easy bruising/bleeding, bloody diarrhea/vomiting, contact your doctor or emergency services immediately
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