Key takeaways
- Valacyclovir (Valtrex) typically starts to heal cold sores within 2 to 3 days of taking it, though complete healing may take several weeks. The medication works best when taken at the first sign of a cold sore, such as tingling or itching.
- The recommended dosage for cold sores is 2 grams taken twice per day, 12 hours apart, for one day. Pairing valacyclovir with an over-the-counter antiviral cream like docosanol (Abreva) may help reduce healing time.
- Valacyclovir can help reduce the risk of transmitting herpes simplex virus (HSV) to partners, even when no symptoms are present. However, the virus may still be transmitted until cold sores completely heal, and valacyclovir doesn’t completely rule out transmission.
Overview
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used to treat conditions caused by the herpes simplex virus, such as cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. Doctors may also use it to treat chickenpox, which is caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
Valacyclovir is a generic prescription drug that is also available as the brand-name version Valtrex.
Need a refill for valacyclovir (Valtrex)? You may be able to get an online prescription through Optum Perks in as little as 15 minutes. Learn more here.
How quickly does valacyclovir heal cold sores?
Most people taking valacyclovir (Valtrex) notice their cold sores starting to heal within 2 to 3 days of taking the medication. However, a cold sore can take several weeks to completely heal.
The recommended dosage of valacyclovir for cold sores is 2 grams, taken twice per day, 12 hours apart, for one day. However, note that your dose may vary in certain situations, like if you have kidney disease. Your doctor will determine the right dosage for you.
If you don’t feel like your cold sore is healing quickly enough, consider pairing valacyclovir with an over-the-counter antiviral cream, like docosanol (Abreva). This can help reduce healing time.
Keep in mind that doubling your valacyclovir dosage will not help your cold sore heal faster. It is generally not safe to double your dosage or take more than the recommended dosage unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to do so.
Does valacyclovir work if you already have blisters?
Current research does not establish valacyclovir’s effectiveness if you already have blisters. Valacyclovir works best when taken before blisters have appeared.
For best results, start taking valacyclovir when you first notice signs of a cold sore or during the “prodrome” phase. During this phase, you may start to feel tingling, itching, or burning sensations in the place or places where you typically get cold sores.
If a blister is already starting to appear, it is possible that valacyclovir could help shorten the amount of time it takes to heal. But it may still take 2 to 6 weeks for a cold sore to disappear completely.
Valacyclovir may also be used for maintenance therapy if you have frequent cold sore outbreaks. That means you can use it for prevention and hopefully stop flare-ups before they occur.
If you tend to have cold sores, consider talking with your doctor about getting a valacyclovir prescription. That way, you can have it on hand and begin taking it at the very first sign of a cold sore.
How long does valacyclovir take to work to prevent transmission?
After you take valacyclovir for a cold sore, you may be able to transmit the virus until the sores or blisters have completely healed and gone away. This typically takes a few weeks. However, you can still transmit the herpes virus even when you don’t have any symptoms of a cold sore.
If you want to prevent the transmission of the herpes virus, you can take valacyclovir as a prevention, even when no symptoms of a cold sore are present. This reduces the risk of spreading the virus to a partner who doesn’t have the herpes infection. However, valacyclovir does not completely rule out the possibility of transmission.
Doctors may recommend that people with frequent cold sore outbreaks take valacyclovir regularly to help suppress the virus. They may also suggest valacyclovir for couples where one partner is HSV-positive and the other is HSV-negative to reduce the risk of transmission.
Using barrier methods like condoms and avoiding sexual activity during outbreaks of cold sores or genital herpes will also help prevent transmission.
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It’s important to take valacyclovir as soon as you notice symptoms that indicate a cold sore may be appearing. This means you should speak with a doctor quickly to get treatment. You can also speak with a doctor about taking valacyclovir to prevent outbreaks.
Online care services, including Optum Perks Online Care, may make getting treatment easier. With these services, you can submit an online form answering a few questions about your symptoms, and a US-licensed healthcare professional will respond soon after to prescribe a treatment plan.
Summary
Valacyclovir will start working to heal cold sores within 2 to 3 days of taking it. But it may still take a few weeks for a cold sore to heal and go away completely.
You can take valacyclovir if you already have a cold sore blister, but to get the fastest results, it is best to start taking it at the first sign of a cold sore.
If you want to prevent the transmission of the herpes virus, you can take valacyclovir as a preventive method, even when no symptoms of a cold sore are present. But keep in mind that valacyclovir does not completely rule out the possibility of transmission.
If you have questions about valacyclovir or if you feel that it is not working to heal your cold sore, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
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