How effective is Valtrex for episodic therapy?
In clinical trials, Valtrex shortened the healing time of genital herpes sores by 33% (four days v. six days) on average compared to placebo. Perhaps as importantly, the duration of pain associated with genital herpes was reduced by 25% (three days v. four days) in patients who received Valtrex as opposed to placebo. Valtrex also stopped viral shedding 50% (two days v. four days) faster on average than placebo. Viral shedding is the process in which virus is released from the skin during an outbreak of genital herpes.
