Key takeaways
- You can’t buy Valtrex or its generic form, valacyclovir, without a prescription from a licensed healthcare professional. It’s not available over the counter (OTC).
- To get a prescription, you can consult with a healthcare professional in person or through a virtual appointment online. This may involve answering some questions via an online form or video calling with a doctor.
- If you have a prior prescription and need a refill for conditions like cold sores, shingles, or genital herpes, you may be able to use an online care service like Optum Perks.
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.
Overview
Valtrex is a brand-name drug that’s also available as a generic medication called valacyclovir. It’s an antiviral drug prescribed for infections caused by different herpes viruses. These infections include:
- cold sores (herpes labialis)
- genital herpes (herpes simplex)
- shingles (herpes zoster)
- chickenpox (varicella zoster)
You need a prescription for Valtrex from a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. You have several options for this. For instance, you can:
- make an appointment to see a doctor or healthcare professional in person
- schedule a virtual consultation with your doctor or healthcare professional if they offer this service
- use an online health service if you already have a prescription for Valtrex or valacyclovir and need a refill
How to get a Valtrex (valacyclovir) prescription
Because you can’t get Valtrex without a prescription, you’ll need to consult with a doctor or licensed healthcare professional to get this medication. Valacyclovir, the generic version of Valtrex, is also only available with a prescription.
However, depending on your symptoms and overall health, you may be able to schedule a virtual (online) visit with your doctor or healthcare professional.
Valtrex, like other prescription medications, is not available OTC for several reasons, but it’s mainly due to safety factors. For example, Valtrex may have some serious side effects, including kidney failure and effects on your nervous system.
What’s more, the medication may not be suitable for everyone, especially if you have other health conditions. Elderly people, in particular, may be more likely to experience severe side effects. Therefore, you will only be able to access the medication after a doctor has evaluated your condition and decided that the medication is necessary.
Valtrex works by stopping the growth of different types of viruses. It won’t cure these infections because the viruses that cause these infections will remain in your body between outbreaks. But Valtrex can help reduce the severity of your symptoms and shorten the duration of an outbreak.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
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Get free cardCan you get Valtrex online?
You can get a prescription for Valtrex online — you won’t be able to buy it online without a prescription. You’ll need to consult with a doctor or healthcare professional to get a prescription for Valtrex or the generic version, valacyclovir.
Depending on the type of infection you have and the severity of your symptoms, you may be able to schedule an online consultation with your doctor to get treatment, which may include an antiviral drug like Valtrex.
If you already have a diagnosis of cold sores, shingles, or genital herpes and need a refill of Valtrex or valacyclovir, you may be able to use an online care service, like the one offered by Optum Perks. With this service, you submit an online form answering a few questions, and a US-licensed professional will respond soon after.
This can be a convenient, time-saving option, especially if you need the medication as soon as possible. Online care services are typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without the need for an in-person appointment.
Are there OTC treatments that you can take in place of Valtrex?
If you need relief from a cold sore or herpes outbreak but are unable to take Valtrex, some over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help while you wait for a prescription. Some options include:
- Abreva: This OTC cream, which contains 10% docosanol and a small amount of benzyl alcohol, may help reduce the duration of a cold sore.
- L-lysine supplements: Some research suggests that L-lysine supplements may help relieve cold sores and genital sores, but evidence on this is mixed and low quality.
- Medical-grade honey: A small 2021 study found that participants who used medical-grade (manuka) honey reported reduced pain and that their cold sores healed faster.
- Some pain-relief medications: OTC medications such as Orajel, Blistex, and Zilactin won’t speed up the healing of a cold sore, but they may provide pain relief.
Summary
Valtrex, an antiviral drug that treats herpes virus infections, is only available with a prescription from a doctor or licensed healthcare professional. It isn’t available over the counter.
You can consult with a doctor or healthcare professional in person or via a virtual visit to get treatment for a herpes virus infection. If you need a refill of Valtrex for a prior herpes infection diagnosis, you can use an online health service.
Although serious side effects are rare, it’s important to take Valtrex only if a healthcare professional has determined that it’s safe for you to do so and to follow their instructions carefully.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.