What is Valtrex used for?

Valtrex is an antiviral medication used to manage various conditions caused by herpes viruses, including:

• cold sores (oral herpes) in adults and children
• genital herpes in adults
• shingles in adults
• chickenpox in adults and children

Valtrex is a prescription drug that is available as a brand-name or generic tablet. The generic version of Valtrex is called valacyclovir.

Need a prescription or refill? You can get discreet and expert on-demand care in as little as 15 minutes. For $29, answer a few questions online and get a treatment plan from a US-licensed healthcare professional. Get started here.

Shingles

Valtrex treats shingles in adults. Shingles is a condition caused by the varicella-zoster virus. This is the same virus that causes chickenpox. If you’ve had chickenpox, you might develop shingles later in life. This is because the virus remains dormant in your body and can reactivate.

With shingles, you develop a painful rash. When taking Valtrex for shingles, It’s important to start treatment at the earliest sign or symptom of shingles. These symptoms may include pain or burning sensations that occur right before the rash or a shingles rash that turns into a cluster of fluid-filled blisters.

According to the drug’s prescribing information, Valtrex is effective when you start treatment within 72 hours of the onset of the rash. The recommended dosage for treatment of shingles in adults is 1 gram (g) of Valtrex, taken 3 times per day for 7 days.

Cold sores

Doctors may prescribe Valtrex to manage cold sores in both adults and children. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) causes cold sores. Cold sores, also called fever blisters or oral herpes, are fluid-filled blisters that develop around your mouth, nose, or on your lips.

To help manage cold sores, doctors will typically prescribe 2 g of Valtrex that you take twice per day for one day. Try to take your doses about 12 hours apart. Valtrex will work most effectively on cold sores when you start treatment at the earliest symptom of a cold sore. Early cold sore symptoms may include tingling, itching, or burning.

Doctors may also prescribe Valtrex to children ages 12 and older. The dosage will be 2 g of Valtrex, taken 2 times per day for one day, the same as adults.

Genital herpes

A doctor may prescribe Valtrex to help treat genital herpes in adults. The herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) causes genital herpes, which results in the development of fluid-filled blisters on or around the genitals.

The dosage of Valtrex your doctor prescribes to help manage genital herpes may vary based on your specific condition:

• To treat an initial episode of genital herpes: 1 g of Valtrex, taken twice per day for 10 days.
• To treat repeat episodes of genital herpes: 500 milligrams (mg) of Valtrex, taken twice per day for 3 days.
• To help prevent flare-ups of genital herpes in people with a healthy immune system: 500 mg or 1 g of Valtrex, taken once per day. Your doctor will determine the length of time you will take it.
• To help prevent flare-ups of genital herpes in people with HIV: 500 mg of Valtrex, taken twice per day. Your doctor will determine the length of time you will take it.
• To lower the risk of passing genital herpes to a sexual partner: 500 mg of Valtrex taken once per day. Your doctor will determine the length of time you will take it.

Valtrex will treat genital herpes most effectively when you start treatment at the earliest symptom of an outbreak or flare-up. Early symptoms may include tingling, itching, or burning in the genital area.

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.

Chickenpox in children

Valtrex may help treat chickenpox in adults and children. The varicella-zoster virus causes chickenpox. This is the same virus that may cause shingles later in life.

When taking Valtrex for chickenpox, it’s important to start treatment at the earliest signs of chickenpox. You may experience fever, headache, and loss of appetite a day or two before developing the classic, itchy rash chickenpox is known for. A chickenpox rash will start as red or dark bumps all over the body, depending on your skin color. These bumps will later fill with fluid and crust over.

The recommended dosage of Valtrex for chickenpox in children is 20 mg of Valtrex per kilogram (kg) of body weight, taken 3 times per day for 5 days. The maximum dose is 1 g of Valtrex, taken 3 times per day for 5 days.

Doctors may also prescribe Valtrex to treat chickenpox in some adults. The recommended dosage is usually 1 g, taken 3 times per day for 5 to 7 days. Your doctor may also prescribe a different antiviral medication, such as acyclovir or famciclovir.

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.

Summary

Valtrex is an antiviral drug that may help manage conditions caused by herpes viruses. These may include cold sores in adults and children, shingles and genital herpes in adults, and chickenpox in children and some adults.

The dosage of Valtrex that your doctor may prescribe will depend on what condition they are prescribing it to treat.