Centrex 500mg Tablet

Reviewed By Dr. Sachin Gupta, MD Pharmacology, MBBS

Last updated on 16 Jan 2026 | 10:24 PM (IST)

Centrex 500mg Tablet is an antiviral medicine used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection, and herpes zoster infections. It prevents the multiplication of viruses in human cells and clears up the infection.

Genuine

Authenticity Assured

Prescription

required

₹171 MRP ₹187.59% off

Centrex 500mg Tablet is currently sold out

Same composition alternative:

VALCIvir 500 Tablet

₹211~~₹230.58~~

Available alternative from Cipla

Sold out

Centrex 500mg Tablet

strip of 10 tablets

₹171

~~₹187.5~~

Same composition

VALCIvir 500 Tablet

strip of 3 tablets

Valacyclovir (500mg)

by Cipla Ltd

Get in 30 mins

₹211

₹59.67 per tablet

₹179

order for

₹1200

Save more with additional offers

Assured cashback up to ₹300 on minimum payment of ₹300 using Paytm UPI*

10% cashback up to 200 on Min Transaction of Rs.1000, for first time users of Airtel Payments Bank.

Pay with Amazon Pay Balance and get cashback up to Rs. 100 with minimum cashback of Rs. 20

Assured cashback up to ₹300 on minimum payment of ₹300 using Paytm UPI*

10% cashback up to 200 on Min Transaction of Rs.1000, for first time users of Airtel Payments Bank.

Pay with Amazon Pay Balance and get cashback up to Rs. 100 with minimum cashback of Rs. 20

Earn cashback up to Rs. 100 with Amazon Pay Later

Get cashback up to ₹500

Get upto Rs.500 Cashback on minimum transaction of Rs.999/- with Mobikwik Wallet.

Get upto Rs.150 Cashback

General Information

Storage

Store below 30°C

The content is shown in English

Product introduction

Centrex 500mg Tablet should be taken in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose. You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine as it helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.

It may lead to a few common side effects like headache, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea, itching (pruritus), and abdominal pain. Inform your doctor if these side effects persist for a longer duration. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Uses of Centrex Tablet

Benefits of Centrex Tablet

Herpes zoster
Herpes zoster infection is a viral infection that causes a painful rash. Centrex 500mg Tablet can shorten the length and severity of the infection. It is most effective if you start taking it as soon as possible after the rash appears. Keeping the immune system healthy is the best way to prevent it. Maintaining good hygiene is another way of preventing herpes zoster infection.

Side effects of Centrex Tablet

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Centrex

Nausea
Abdominal pain
Headache
Increased liver enzymes
Nasopharyngitis (inflammation of the throat and nasal passages)

How to use Centrex Tablet

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Centrex 500mg Tablet may be taken with or without food.

How Centrex Tablet works

Centrex 500mg Tablet is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of virus in human cells. This stops the virus from producing new viruses and clears up your infection.

All substitutes for Centrex 500mg Tablet

For information purposes only. Consult a doctor before taking any medicine.

VALCIvir 500 Tablet

by Cipla Ltd

₹70.33/tablet

311% costlier

Zimivir 500 Tablet

by Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd

₹56.33/tablet

229% costlier

Valtoval 500 Tablet

by Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd

₹61.33/tablet

259% costlier

Valamac 500mg Tablet

by Macleods Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd

₹39/tablet

128% costlier

Herpival 500mg Tablet

by KLM Laboratories Pvt Ltd

₹50/tablet

192% costlier

Quick tips

Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.
Drink plenty of water while on treatment with this medicine. This helps to prevent dehydration and kidney damage.
If you have genital herpes, use barrier methods (condoms) for contraception and avoid sexual contact while the sores are present.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive or breastfeeding.

Safety advice

Alcohol

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

It is not known whether it is safe to consume alcohol with Centrex 500mg Tablet. Please consult your doctor.

Pregnancy

CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

The safety of Centrex 500mg Tablet during pregnancy has not been established. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women, and animal data on reproductive toxicity are insufficient. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing.

Breast feeding

CAUTION

Centrex 500mg Tablet should be used with caution during breastfeeding. Breastfeeding should be held until the treatment of the mother is completed and the drug is eliminated from the body.

Driving

UNSAFE

Centrex 500mg Tablet may cause side effects that could affect your ability to drive.

Kidney

CAUTION

Centrex 500mg Tablet should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease. Dose adjustment may be needed.
Drink plenty of water while you are taking this medicine to lower the side effects on the kidney.

Liver

SAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Centrex 500mg Tablet is safe to use in patients with liver disease. No dose adjustment is recommended.

Frequently asked questions

For how long do I need to take Centrex 500mg Tablet?

The duration of Centrex 500mg Tablet treatment depends on the disease you are being treated for and whether your immune system is capable of fighting infections or not. For example, if you are taking it for shingles and your immune system works effectively, then you may need to take it for 7 days only. But, if your immunity is compromised, then you may need to take Centrex 500mg Tablet for 7 days and 2 days more after the lesions have dried and healed. Follow your doctor’s recommendations strictly.

Does Centrex 500mg Tablet cure herpes infection?

Centrex 500mg Tablet reduces the pain and itching caused due to the herpes infection but does not cure it. It helps to heal the sores and prevents the formation of new ones.

Is Centrex 500mg Tablet an antibiotic or a steroid? What is it used for?

Centrex 500mg Tablet is neither an antibiotic nor a corticosteroid. It is an antiviral medicine and acts against viruses. It is effective against herpes simplex virus (chickenpox, cold sores, and genital herpes), varicella-zoster virus (shingles), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Centrex 500mg Tablet prevents the occurrence of CMV infection and disease after organ transplant.

If I have genital herpes, can Centrex 500mg Tablet prevent transmission of infection to others?

Centrex 500mg Tablet reduces the chances of passing the infection to your partner, but the possibility of transmission still exists. You should practice safe sex by using condoms. However, you should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.

Can Centrex 500mg Tablet be given to children for chicken pox?

Yes, Centrex 500mg Tablet can be given for chickenpox to children aged between 2 years to 18 years. Treatment should be started within 24 hours of the appearance of the rash for best results. Centrex 500mg Tablet should be given for 5 days and as directed by the doctor.

Can I take Centrex 500mg Tablet if I have HIV infection?

Taking Centrex 500mg Tablet if you have advanced HIV infection can increase the risk of developing Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura/Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (TTP/HUS). In TTP/HUS, small blood clots form suddenly throughout the body, which can lead to death. If you experience bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, vomiting, blood in urine, fits, and bleeding from the nose or mouth, you should stop Centrex 500mg Tablet and seek emergency medical support and advice.

What if I accidentally take excess of Centrex 500mg Tablet?

You should immediately contact your doctor or go to a nearby hospital. The symptoms which can be seen if Centrex 500mg Tablet is taken in excess include feeling sick (nausea), vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, decreased consciousness, and coma.

My age is 70 years and I have some kidney problem, can I take Centrex 500mg Tablet for shingles?

Since you are elderly and have a kidney problem, your doctor will prescribe a low dose of Centrex 500mg Tablet. You must drink plenty of water regularly during the day while taking Centrex 500mg Tablet. This will help to reduce the side effects that can affect the kidney or nervous system. Your doctor will closely monitor you for signs of any side effects which may include feeling confused, agitated or unusually sleepy, or drowsy. If you develop any of these effects contact your doctor immediately.

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Alpha amino acid derivative

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

ANTI INFECTIVES

Action Class

Antiviral Agents (Non-HIV)

Related lab tests

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA PCR

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 DNA PCR

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgG

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgM

References

Acosta EP, Flexner C. Antiviral Agents (Nonretroviral). In: Brunton LL, Chabner BA, Knollmann BC, editors. Goodman & Gilman’s: The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. New York, New York: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. pp. 1594-600.
Safrin S. Antiviral Agents. In: Katzung BG, Masters SB, Trevor AJ, editors. Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. 11th ed. New Delhi, India: Tata McGraw Hill Education Private Limited; 2009. p. 847.
Briggs GG, Freeman RK, editors. A Reference Guide to Fetal and Neonatal Risk: Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health; 2015. pp. 1446-47.
Valacyclovir hydrochloride. Research Triangle Park, North Carolina: GlaxoSmithKline; 1995 [revised Mar. 2010]. [Accessed 19 Jun. 2019] (online) Available from:
Valaciclovir hydrochloride. South Ruislip, Middlesex: Aurobindo Pharma - Milpharm Ltd.; 2011 [revised 18 Jul. 2016]. [Accessed 24 Jan. 2019] (online) Available from:
European Medicine Agency. Questions and answers on Valtrex and associated names (valaciclovir, 250, 500 and 1000 mg tablets); 2010. [Accessed 19 Jun. 2019] (online) Available from:
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 01 Apr. 2019] (online) Available from:
CiplaMed. Valacyclovir Hydrochloride [Prescribing Information]. 2022. [Accessed 20 Feb. 2024] (online) Available from:
Valacyclovir. Mississauga, Ontario: GlaxoSmithKline Inc.; 2022. [Accessed 16 Jan. 2026] (online). Available from:

Want to know more

We provide you with authentic, trustworthy and relevant information

Have issue with the content

Disclaimer

Tata 1mg's sole intention is to ensure that its consumers get information that is expert-reviewed, accurate and trustworthy. However, the information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of a qualified physician. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. This may not cover everything about particular health conditions, lab tests, medicines, all possible side effects, drug interactions, warnings, alerts, etc. Please consult your doctor and discuss all your queries related to any disease or medicine. We intend to support, not replace, the doctor-patient relationship.

Marketer details

Name: Centurion Laboratories Private Limited
Address: Biotech Park Gidc, P-2, Manjusar, Savli, Industrial Estate, Vadodara-391770, Gujarat, India

Vendor Details

Country of origin: India

Lab tests offered by us

Why we need a prescription?

Centrex 500mg Tablet

Save more with additional offers

General Information

Contains

Salt Synonyms

Marketer

Storage

Product introduction

Uses of Centrex Tablet

Benefits of Centrex Tablet

Side effects of Centrex Tablet

How to use Centrex Tablet

How Centrex Tablet works

All substitutes for Centrex 500mg Tablet

VALCIvir 500 Tablet

Zimivir 500 Tablet

Valtoval 500 Tablet

Valamac 500mg Tablet

Herpival 500mg Tablet

Quick tips

Safety advice

Alcohol

Pregnancy

Breast feeding

Driving

Kidney

Liver

Frequently asked questions

For how long do I need to take Centrex 500mg Tablet?

Does Centrex 500mg Tablet cure herpes infection?

Is Centrex 500mg Tablet an antibiotic or a steroid? What is it used for?

If I have genital herpes, can Centrex 500mg Tablet prevent transmission of infection to others?

Can Centrex 500mg Tablet be given to children for chicken pox?

Can I take Centrex 500mg Tablet if I have HIV infection?

What if I accidentally take excess of Centrex 500mg Tablet?

My age is 70 years and I have some kidney problem, can I take Centrex 500mg Tablet for shingles?

Fact Box

Chemical Class

Habit Forming

Therapeutic Class

Action Class

Related lab tests

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 DNA PCR

Herpes Simplex Virus 1 IgG

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 DNA PCR

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgG

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 IgM

References

Want to know more

Have issue with the content

Disclaimer

Marketer details

Vendor Details

Lab tests offered by us

Related/Popular tests