Description
Valaciclovir, also known as valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication primarily used to treat infections caused by specific viruses, including herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus (which causes shingles). Valaciclovir works by inhibiting the replication of viral DNA, which is essential for the virus’s ability to multiply and spread.
Valaciclovir is indicated for the treatment of:
Herpes Simplex Virus: Effective for both initial and recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent adults.
Cold Sores: Used to treat herpes labialis (cold sores).
Shingles: Treats herpes zoster (shingles) in adults.
Chickenpox: Approved for use in pediatric patients aged 2 to less than 18 years.
Valacyclovir comes as a tablet to take by mouth with or without food. It is 1 to 3 times a day depending on the condition being treated.
for cold sores: take 2 doses twelve hours apart
for shingles and chickenpox: take every 8 hours for 7 days
to treat genital herpes: take twice a day for as long as your doctor tells you to take the medication
to prevent outbreaks and stop the spread of genital herpes: take once or twice daily
