What is valacyclovir used for?
Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug used for the treatment and prevention of the herpes virus. It is a very popular drug and also goes by the name Valtrex. This pill is most commonly known to treat herpes but has a variety of other uses as well.
FDA approved uses of Valacyclovir
• Treating chicken pox in children
• Treating shingles in adults
• Treating cold sores in adults and children
• Treating genital herpes in adults
• Preventing recurrent genital herpes outbreaks in adults
• Decreasing the spread of herpes to sexual partners in adults.
NON FDA approved uses of Valaciclovir
• Bell’s palsy
• Cytomegalovirus
• Cytomegalovirus infection prophylaxis
• Epstein-Barr Virus infection prophylaxis
• Herpes simplex infection prophylaxis
Chicken Pox
Chicken pox is a very contagious illness that is caused by the varicella zoster virus. It begins with skin rashes usually on the body and head and not hands, they become itchy raw pockmarks with small open sores which usually heal without scarring.
Chicken pox is spread easily through direct contact with the secretions from the rash. Many people do not get chicken pox more than once in their lifetime.
Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that helps the body fight the virus and prevents it from spreading. Valacyclovir was approved for the use in children suffering from chicken pox.
Shingles
Also know as herpes zoster (or just zoster), shingles is a viral disease that causes a painful skin rash to occur with blisters in a limited area on one side of the body, often in a stripe pattern. The same virus that causes chicken pox, varicella zoster virus, causes shingles. Once a person gets over chicken pox, it is not eliminated from the body completely and can go on and develop into shingles, usually many years after the initial infection.
Cold Sores
Cold sores or herpes simplex is also a viral disease that is caused by the herpes simplex viruses, both herpes simplex virus 1 and herpes simplex virus 2. This is the most common form of infection; causing blistering on the face and mouth.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is transmitted through sexual intercourse and sometimes from skin to skin contact. Like oral herpes, large painful blisters appear but on the genitals. Women with genital herpes often experience symptoms such as painful urination and cercvitis.
In males the blisters usually form on the shaft of the penis but can also form on the buttocks, anus and the inner thigh. In females the blisters form on the labia, clitoris, vulva, pubis, and sometimes on the buttocks and anus.
Symptoms usually are pain, itching, and burning. Less frequent but still common symptoms include discharge from the penis or vagina, fever, headache, muscle pain, swollen and enlarged lymph nodes and malaise.
Valacyclovir can be helpful for patients with these viruses and can be prescribed by a doctor. Always tell your doctor of any medical problems you are experiencing and your medical history. There are certain risks and side effects associated with taking valacyclovir and it is important to discuss these with your health care provider.