Valacyclovir, also sold under the brand name Valtrex, is a prescription medication that is sold for the treatment of herpes in many forms. The medication is designed to act as an antiviral agent; it attacks the DNA of the herpes virus cell, preventing it from reproducing and thus shortening the duration of a flare of herpes.

Herpes Virus

Herpes is a virus that can appear in many different forms. It is extremely contagious Herpes simplex virus is probably the most common form of herpes that afflicts people ranging from young children to the elderly. It is seen in both types one, which is generally transmitted through casual contact such as kissing or sharing utensils, and herpes simplex virus two, which causes blisters that appear around the genitals. Chickenpox and shingles are both forms of herpes also, and valacyclovir can be effective in the treatment of all three.

How Valacyclovir Works

Once people have contracted the herpes virus, it remains in the body for the rest of their lives. There is no cure for herpes. Herpes can lie dormant and never make itself known, or it can pop up and reappear, often during the most stressful times. Many people who carry the herpes virus never know that they have it, but for those who are carriers whose herpes virus has made itself known, the sores can be embarrassing and painful, regardless of which form they carry. That is where valacyclovir comes in.

When you have herpes, you generally know when a flare is about to arise because the virus tends to cause a tingling sensation before the sores begin to arise. The sooner that you start taking valacyclovir, the sooner it can attack the virus and stop it from spreading, thus shortening the duration of the outbreak, minimizing the number of sores that develop, and lessening the pain of the outbreak. For those who have chronic genital herpes, taking valacyclovir can cut down on the number of outbreaks that you suffer from.

Valacyclovir for Children

Valacyclovir is safe for use in children, and is generally prescribed for when children develop cold sores around the mouth. Cold sores can be extremely painful and unsightly. They are very contagious and because of that, children who develop them are often kept home from school. Valacyclovir can not only stop the spread of the sores rapidly, it can also lessen the pain that the sores can cause as well as the itching, which
is important because it is often difficult to keep children from scratching at them. Valacyclovir is also effective in reducing the symptoms of chickenpox, a common childhood illness that is related to the herpes zoster virus.

Acyclovir

Valacyclovir is a medication that is taken in the form of a caplet. Interestingly, Valacyclovir is not actually a drug but what is called a “prodrug”, which means that it has actually been developed as a way to more effectively deliver another drug, making that drug’s impact more efficient and stronger. Acyclovir is the actual medication that attacks the herpes virus, and it is available in a variety of forms including
creams, tablets and even through an I.V. Taking acyclovir in the form of Valacyclovir means that you can take the medication fewer times during the day and still have the same or better impact.

Valacyclovir Dosage

The dosage of Valacyclovir that your physician will prescribe is largely dependent upon what form of herpes you suffer from as well as your age. Valacyclovir can be taken with or without food, although the best way to make sure that you avoid some of the medication’s known side effects – notably nausea – is to drink plenty of water while you’re taking the medicine. It is important that the level of Valacyclovir in your system remains level, so be careful not to miss doses and try to take your doses at evenly spaced intervals. Valacyclovir is most effective in the treatment of outbreaks when it is taken early, so for parents of children, it is important that you contact your physician at the very first sign of a chickenpox rash or cold sore. For those who are taking the medication for chronic outbreaks, it is very important that your medication is taken regularly.

Effectiveness

If you suffer from herpes outbreaks, you are all too aware of how embarrassing and painful they can be. Reviews of Valacyclovir that can be found on a variety of medical websites indicate that patients who had previously suffered from frequent outbreaks have rated it a ten out of ten. The medication is reported to have provided almost immediate relief for those who sensed an outbreak about to appear as well as for those who were suffering their very first outbreak. It is also reported to be remarkably effective when taken on a routine basis to prevent recurrent outbreaks. There are those who have reported some side effects, including headache or nausea, but most patients have felt that a small price to pay in exchange for eliminating their symptoms.