I got a cold sore last week and took the 2grams twice a day for one day. It turned out not being that bad. Then today I woke up (4 days later) and felt that tingling feeling again on my lips so I took 2 grams of Valtrex right away. But what I noticed was that my whole top lip was basically covered and then part of my bottom lip was covered too!!! Then by 4 o'clock this afternoon I noticed the other side of my lip was starting to tingle!!! So basically all of lips are covered in cold sores and I'm really upset about this and NEVER have had it like this. Can I take more then the 2 grams twice a day that is recommended since this case of cold sores are so bad?
How Much Valtrex Can I Take For My Cold Sores if the Prescribed 2grams Twice a Day is Not Working?
Question posted by dms11 on 25 Jan 2011
Last updated on 23 May 2014
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Answers
Official Answer
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Oct 22, 2020.
No, you should not exceed the recommended dosage of 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, or burning).
You should see your doctor again. If you get reoccurring cold sores you may need to take a preventative or maintenance dose of antiviral medication.
foggyuser
22 April 2014
What's the big no no on takingore than advised. To me its a pill you take. If you handle it well and it is supposed to help but doesn't work then you should be taking it till your OB clears up. Right? Just drink fluids, eat well, amd rest. You should be fine. I'm in the same boat. This magic drug doesnt do much except let my days be itch free... thats about it. It has yet to clear up OB's any faster. Maybe I got bad luck there but I hardly get OB's so when I do get them I take valtrex and the dang stuff hardly does anything. So I figure I keep taking the meds till it totally clears up.
glow1984
23 May 2014
I asked my pharmacist the same thing. As an adult you should be able to take 2 of the 1000mg pills twice a day or 4 of the smaller 500mg ones. It's not that taking more hurts you but it actually doesn't help in this case because your body doesn't keep the medicine in so your literally peeing out what you don't need.
Honestly pop the valtrex. If you want to do it for more than the usual one suggested day, ask your doctor for the cream too if you have health benefits so you don't have to pay for abreva ( but abreva is just as good if u don't have benefits ) and I cannot stress to you guys enough how amazing the new Polysorin cold sore patches are. Seriously it covers the complete sore (s) and looks like nothing is there except a possible tiny scar. You can't feel the moving liquid inside the sore or the burning and your not embarrassed to go to work. I live by these things now. Perfect for men or women in my opinion and I actually think they look better when you don't cover them with makeup but that is an option.
Related topics
Further information
- Valtrex uses and safety info
- Valtrex prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Valtrex (detailed)
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