08.09.2007

The antiviral agent Valtrex significantly reduces asymptomatic viral shedding in genital herpes according to new data presented today ... More Info

22.08.2007

A shorter course (3 days) of therapy of the antiviral for treating recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Previously, a 5-day ... More Info

August, 2007
A shorter course (3 days) of therapy of the antiviral for treating recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Previously, a 5-day course of the antiviral was approved for this indication.

Recommended Valtrex Dosage for treatment of genital herpes: 500 mg twice a day for 3 days.

Special Considerations: Side effects are extremely uncommon with the 3-day course as well as with the 5-day course, said Dr. Stephen Tyring.

Comment: Dr. Tyring was one of the investigators in a randomized, double-blind study that compared 3-day and 5-day courses of 500 mg of Valtrex twice per day in treating recurrent episodes of genital herpes in otherwise healthy adults who had at least three to four outbreaks a year. The patients started taking the drug at the first sign of an outbreak and were evaluated daily during each outbreak.

"This is a marked step forward in terms of convenience," and it saves money said Dr. Tyring, who is a consultant to GlaxoSmithKline and serves on the company's speakers' bureau. Suppressive therapy with daily medication remains appropriate for people who have more frequent or more severe outbreaks and for those who have a partner who does not have genital herpes, he noted.