What is valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir (generic for Valtrex) is a prescription medication used to treat conditions caused by the herpes virus. Valacyclovir can be used to treat cold sores (Herpes Labialis), genital herpes, and shingles (Herpes Zoster). Valacyclovir can be prescribed to children to treat cold sores and chickenpox.
Once the herpes virus has entered your body, it never fully leaves - even once your initial symptoms have worn off. This means that you may be at risk of developing shingles, cold sores, or genital herpes outbreak even years after your original infection. The CDC even estimates that 1 in every 6 Americans aged 14-49 has genital herpes.
While it cannot cure herpes (there is no cure, actually), valacyclovir is an antiviral agent that targets the herpes virus within your body, helping to alleviate and control outbreaks - whether they come in the form of cold sores, shingles, or more.