Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses. Its main uses include the treatment of:
- Cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults and children
- Genital herpes, including treatment of initial or recurrent episodes and long-term suppression to reduce the frequency of outbreaks and transmission
- Herpes zoster (shingles) in adults
- Chickenpox (varicella) in children
Valacyclovir works by stopping the growth of herpes viruses, which helps relieve pain, discomfort, and promotes faster healing of sores. While it does not cure these viral infections, it is effective at managing symptoms and reducing the risk of transmission[1][2][3][4][5][6][7].
References
- [1] Valaciclovir: Uses, Interactions, Mechanism of Action – DrugBank
- [2] Valacyclovir (oral route) – Mayo Clinic
- [3] VALTREX (valacyclovir) tablets, for oral use – accessdata.fda.gov
- [4] Valacyclovir Tablets – Cleveland Clinic
- [5] Valacyclovir (Valtrex): Uses, Side Effects, Interactions – WebMD
- [6] Valacyclovir: MedlinePlus Drug Information
- [7] Valacyclovir (Valtrex): Uses, Side Effects, Dosage & Reviews