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Valacyclovir is used for treating cold sores and genital herpes. Valacyclovir starts to work immediately in the body after you take it. It can help shorten the duration of an outbreak and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Valacyclovir acts through multiple mechanisms to prevent the replication of herpes DNA, preventing the virus from making copies of itself, which is how the virus causes outbreaks. Valacyclovir is active against HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV (the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles), and to a lesser extent, other herpes viruses, like CMV. When viral DNA is prevented from replicating, the virus cannot multiply and infect uninfected cells. This is how valacyclovir works:

• Stops or shortens outbreaks of genital herpes and oral herpes

• Prevents outbreaks of genital and oral herpes

• Decreases the risk of infecting an uninfected partner

Once in the body, valacyclovir starts to work almost immediately. Since it specifically attacks the DNA replication process, it will only attack herpes viruses that are multiplying. While it starts to work on an active infection very quickly, it will not fight the inactive virus hiding in the nervous system.

While it goes to work within hours of taking the medication, the symptoms and sores of an outbreak may take days to heal, and the virus can stay active throughout the healing process.

For genital herpes:

To Treat Or Abort An Outbreak When There Are Early Symptoms (Prodrome) Some patients use valacyclovir to stop an outbreak. Whether oral or genital, people can take medication when their specific prodrome (pre-outbreak symptoms) tells them an outbreak is on the horizon. The medication often stops an outbreak; when it does not, it can shorten and make an outbreak milder than it might have been otherwise.

To Prevent Outbreaks When There Are No Symptoms But Outbreaks Are More Likely Patients also learn the life circumstances or behaviors that lead to more outbreaks. For some, a lack of sleep, increased alcohol intake, another illness, stress, too much sunlight, irritation, or anything that can affect one’s immunity can spur an outbreak. They know when they are more likely to have an outbreak due to their circumstances. They can avoid their triggers, but they also might want to take medication preventatively, knowing when they are more vulnerable.

To Suppress Outbreaks For An Extended Period You can take valacyclovir to reduce your chance of having an outbreak. The classic example would be during your honeymoon, going on vacation, starting a new job, or when you’re in a new relationship, or at any time you want to keep the chance of having an attack as low as possible.

To Prevent Transmission to An Uninfected Partner One of the most important advances in herpes treatment came with the knowledge that transmission from an infected person to their uninfected partner could be reduced. Valacyclovir not only reduces the number of outbreaks a person experiences, but it reduces asymptomatic viral shedding (or how many copies of the virus your body releases). That results in fewer uninfected partners catching herpes. If a condom is worn and the medication used, the chances are reduced by at least half compared to using a condom alone. Fewer outbreaks and fewer episodes of shedding mean fewer people transmitting the virus.

Acyclovir was the first antiviral drug for the treatment of herpes infections. Acyclovir was initially FDA-approved to treat herpes simplex infections in 1985 as the brand name drug Zovirax® and was found to be very effective for treating herpes infections. The main problem with acyclovir is that only 10%–20% of it is absorbed from the digestive tract. Higher doses aren’t as effectively absorbed as lower doses. This made it very difficult to maintain a high enough level of the drug in the blood to be effective, requiring patients to take up to five doses per day.

Valacyclovir is considered a prodrug of acyclovir, which means that it is converted into acyclovir in the body. Since valacyclovir is absorbed much better than acyclovir (54% for valacyclovir vs. 10%–20% for acyclovir), it can be administered less frequently while providing equal or better results compared to acyclovir. Valacyclovir is administered 1 to 3 times daily, depending on what it’s used for, whereas acyclovir is used 2 to 5 times daily, depending on the indication. Doctors and patients prefer Valacyclovir because it is easier to dose and may be more effective.

Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus that spreads through close contact with the infected area of the skin. Cold sores are small, painful ulcers that you get in or around your mouth or nose. It is not known if valacyclovir tablets can stop the spread of cold sores to others.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted viral infection. It causes small, painful blisters on your genital area. You can spread genital herpes to others, even with no symptoms. If you are sexually active, you can still pass herpes to your partner, even if you are taking valacyclovir tablets. Valacyclovir tablets, taken daily as prescribed and used with the following safer sex practices, can lower the chances of passing genital herpes to your partner.

Do not have sexual contact with your partner when you have any symptoms or outbreak of genital herpes. Use a condom made of latex or polyurethane whenever you have sexual contact. Ask your healthcare provider for more information about safer sex practices.

Valacyclovir is available as a pill. The pills can appear blue or white, depending on the manufacturer. What’s important is that the active ingredient is valacyclovir, regardless of the pill's color. The color of the pill will not affect how effective your medication is.

Valacyclovir is not an antibiotic. Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug with activity against herpes simplex viruses 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Valacyclovir attacks the DNA replication process of the virus, so it only attacks herpes viruses that are attempting to replicate actively. While valacyclovir is an antiviral drug that works on active infections, it will not fight the inactive virus and virus that is hiding in the nervous system.