Important safety information
What should you know before taking valacyclovir.
Take control of outbreaks with FDA‑approved medication
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What are you most looking for from treatment?
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Is a treatment that starts working immediately important to you?
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Do you want to skip the pharmacy and get your treatment shipped in discreet packaging?
*if prescribed, get $18 off your first order on a recurring plan. Your first herpes outbreak should be diagnosed by an in-person medical provider. See important safety information here.
About genital herpes
It's more common than you think.
Only 20% of people with genital herpes know they have it.
Genital herpes, caused by viruses HSV-1 or HSV-2, causes painful ulcers on and around the genitals in both men and women. Herpes is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI).
Can it be treated?
Yes. FDA-approved medication is available to treat and suppress outbreaks as well as reduce the risk of transmission. A Ro-affiliated provider will answer your questions about treatment and create a personalized treatment plan for you.
What is valacyclovir (generic for Valtrex®)?
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.
How does valacyclovir work?
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
How long does it take for valacyclovir to work?
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.