Valtrex
(valaciclovir)
Branded valaciclovir. An antiviral tablet that stops the herpes virus copying itself, clearing outbreaks faster, and can be taken daily to help prevent them.
LICENSED PHARMACY & UK-LICENSED DOCTORS · FREE DISCREET DELIVERY
VALACICLOVIR · GENERIC VERSION OF VALTREX · TABLET
VALACICLOVIRTABLETS
The generic version of Valtrex for cold sores, prescribed online by UK clinicians after a free consultation.
2TIMES A DAY
250/
2–
12+AGE AND OVER
Free discreet delivery
Valaciclovir is a prescription-only medicine that is used to treat the herpes simplex virus.
Get clear with valaciclovir. And get back in the game. Valaciclovir is prescribed online with a free doctor consultation.
ABOUT THE MEDICATION
WHAT IS VALACICLOVIR?
Valaciclovir is an antiviral medication used to manage the herpes infections that can cause genital herpes and cold sores. Usually taken in pill form, it helps to make outbreaks of cold sores and genital herpes less severe, clearing them up faster, and preventing outbreaks from reoccurring.
The virus can lay dormant for long periods of time, during which you won’t experience any symptoms. However, when the virus is active, it can cause painful and itchy blisters around the mouth or genital area. Valaciclovir can help manage these symptoms.
KEY FACTS
TWICE A DAY
The main benefits of valaciclovir over other treatments is that you only need to take it twice a day to treat an outbreak.
250 MG AND 500 MG
Valaciclovir usually comes in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets.
HSV1 AND HSV2
There are two types of herpes simplex virus, HSV1 and HSV2, valaciclovir works on both types by suppressing the virus, reducing painful symptoms and preventing future outbreaks.
NOT A CURE
Currently there is no known cure for herpes, as once the virus infects you, it goes dormant in your body and hides from your immune system and any medication.
AGE 12 AND OVER
Valaciclovir can be used by adults, and children over the age of twelve.
How it works
01
FREE ONLINE CONSULTATION
For your health and safety, all prescription drugs available for purchase require approval from our licensed doctors through a free online consultation where you will be asked some questions about your symptoms and medical history.
02
DISCREET NEXT DAY DELIVERY
Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your doctor who will determine if a prescription treatment is right for you. If your prescription treatment is approved, your order will be delivered to you with discreet packaging the next business day.
03
ONGOING CARE FROM UK DOCTORS
As a FROM MARS customer, you will receive ongoing care and support from UK Doctors. You can send unlimited secure messages to your doctor from your account to discuss your treatment, progress, and possible adjustments of your treatment or dosage.
01
FREE ONLINE CONSULTATION
For your health and safety, all prescription drugs available for purchase require approval from our licensed doctors through a free online consultation where you will be asked some questions about your symptoms and medical history.
02
DISCREET NEXT DAY DELIVERY
Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your doctor who will determine if a prescription treatment is right for you. If your prescription treatment is approved, your order will be delivered to you with discreet packaging the next business day.
03
ONGOING CARE FROM UK DOCTORS
As a FROM MARS customer, you will receive ongoing care and support from UK Doctors. You can send unlimited secure messages to your doctor from your account to discuss your treatment, progress, and possible adjustments of your treatment or dosage.
VALACICLOVIR
- Swallow the tablet whole with water
- Twice a day to treat an outbreak
- Disrupts the virus’ ability to reproduce
- Relief after two to three days
Swallow the tablet whole with water
Twice a day to treat an outbreak
Disrupts the virus’ ability to reproduce
Relief after two to three days
How Valaciclovir Works
How does valaciclovir work?
Valaciclovir disrupts the virus’ ability to reproduce, slowing its spread through infected skin, and making it easier for your immune system to tackle it.
Shorter, less severe outbreaks
It can’t cure a herpes infection permanently, as once someone has a herpes infection, they have it forever, but it can help make outbreaks shorter and less severe, as well as reducing itching, pain and swelling. It can even prevent outbreaks from happening.
In Practice
How fast does it work?
Relief in two to three days
It begins working as soon as it’s in your system, with most people beginning to feel relief from their symptoms after two to three days.
Start as early as you can
How quickly valaciclovir works depends on how severe the outbreak is, the dosage used, and how quickly the medication is taken after the first symptoms are noticed.
Complete your treatment
Yes, it is very important that you complete your treatment. Valaciclovir only works if you take it regularly and as prescribed.
Dosing & How to Take
HOW TO TAKE VALACICLOVIR
01
Swallow it whole
It’s usually taken as a tablet, which you should swallow whole with a glass of water, at the same time every day, for the number of days prescribed.
02
As prescribed
It’s important to always take it exactly as prescribed.
03
Missed dose
If you forget to take it, do so as soon as you can, unless it’s nearly time for your next dose.
04
Never double dose
Never double dose to make up for a missed one.
Side Effects
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
OF VALACICLOVIR
As is the case with most medicines, you may experience some side effects when taking valaciclovir. Remember, people respond to medications differently meaning you might not experience any side effects. If you do, it will likely involve:
FREQUENCY
SIDE EFFECTS
WHAT TO DO
VERY COMMON — MORE THAN 1 IN 10
Headache
Remember, people respond to medications differently meaning you might not experience any side effects.
COMMON — UP TO 1 IN 10
Sickness, sore throat, vertigo, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, rash, skin sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity), itching (pruritus)
Valaciclovir can make you more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn. You should apply sunscreen when using this medication.
UNCOMMON — UP TO 1 IN 100
Fatigue, shortness of breath (dyspnoea), stomach discomfort, rash, sometimes an itchy, hive-like rash (urticaria), low back pain (kidney pain), blood in the urine (haematuria), confusion, hallucinations, feeling very drowsy, feeling agitated, tremors
These nervous system side effects can be experienced by people with kidney problems or who have recently had an organ transplant, as well as the elderly. If that’s you, these side effects will usually diminish if you stop taking valaciclovir or if the dose is reduced.
Side effects to look out for which indicate you’re having a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): flushing, itchy skin, and/or a rash; swelling of the lips, face, neck, and throat, making it difficult to breathe (angioedema); a rapid fall in blood pressure leading to collapse. Valaciclovir allergies are rare, but if you do experience these symptoms stop taking the medication and see a doctor as quickly as possible. If you have any other concerns about the side effects of valaciclovir, contact us.
Safety
Is valaciclovir safe?
Used for over twenty years
20+
years used to fight herpes, backed by extensive clinical trials
Valaciclovir is a safe medication for most people over the age of 12 to use. There have been extensive clinical trials and it’s been used for over twenty years to fight herpes.
How effective is it?
2–3
days to feel relief from symptoms
Research has shown that valaciclovir is better absorbed when taken orally than other medications that contain acyclovir. It has also been shown to help clear up outbreaks of cold sores and genital herpes much quicker than when no medication is taken.
Not suitable for everyone
All medications can have side effects though, and valaciclovir isn’t suitable for everyone. If you experience any side affects you should stop taking the medication. We recommend reading the link below to understand all of the potential benefits and risks of the medication.
Before taking valaciclovir or any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet.
Valaciclovir dosage
and strength
Valaciclovir usually comes in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets. How much you’ll need to take, and for how long, will depend on your particular circumstances. If you experience regular outbreaks, such as 5 or 6 times a year, you can be prescribed a long term daily dose of valaciclovir to suppress the virus.
STRENGTH
WHEN IT'S USED
NOTES
500 mg twice a day
First outbreak
Your doctor will generally recommend taking a 500mg tablet twice a day for 5 – 10 days.
500 mg twice a day
Recurring outbreaks
Your doctor will usually recommend taking a 500mg tablet twice a day for 3-5 days.
Progress Over Time
What to Expect
with Valaciclovir
Symptoms
Symptoms such as painful and itchy blisters should calm down and disappear when you are taking valaciclovir.
Outbreaks
You may also notice that you experience fewer outbreaks or no outbreaks and that any future outbreaks are much less severe.
Sex
You should steer clear of sex when you have visible cold sores, even if you’re taking valaciclovir. The herpes viruses that cause cold sores are very contagious, and they can be passed to sexual partners easily.
Storage
You should always keep valaciclovir in its packaging and in a cool, dry place (below 30°C), and out of sight and reach of children.
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VALACICLOVIR
VS VALTREX
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Price includes medication only, if prescribed. An active FromMars membership is required and billed separately. Membership does not include or guarantee a prescription; medication is not available without a membership.
Drug Interactions
Valaciclovir Interactions
Medicines That Interact
The following medications can interact with valaciclovir. Tell our doctors if you are taking any of these, or if you plan to: aminoglycosides, aprotinin, bictegravir, ciclosporin, cimetidine, cobicistat, colchicine, darunavir, doravirine, efavirenz, elvitegravir, emtricitabine, entecavir, foscarnet, fosphenytoin, hyaluronidase, iodinated contrast media, immune globulin, lamivudine, measles, mumps, and rubella live vaccines, methotrexate, mycophenolate, organoplatinum compounds, pentamidine, phenytoin, probenecid, recombinant, rilpivirine, tacrolimus, talimogene laherparepvec, telbivudine, tenofovir, tenofovir alafenamide, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate, varicella-zoster virus vaccine.
Other Medications
Inform our doctors if you are taking, or plan to take, any other medications or herbal treatments at the same time as valaciclovir. Especially the medications listed above, and any treatments for shingles, any medicines that affect the kidneys, or any treatments to help after having an organ transplant.
Alcohol
There are no known interactions between valaciclovir and alcohol.
WARNINGS
Who Shouldn’t Use Valaciclovir?
NOT UNDER THE AGE OF 12
Children under the age of 12 shouldn’t take valaciclovir.
NOT IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO VALACICLOVIR OR ACICLOVIR
Adults shouldn’t take it if they are allergic to valaciclovir or acyclovir, or any of the other ingredients in the medication (see the leaflet in the Valaciclovir packaging for a full list of ingredients).
CHECK WITH OUR DOCTORS IF YOU ARE OVER 65
If you are over 65, have kidney or liver problems, or a weak immune system, make sure you check with our doctors before you take it.
CHECK WITH OUR DOCTORS IF YOU ARE PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING
Check with our doctors if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
DRINK PLENTY OF WATER
Whilst taking valaciclovir it is important to drink plenty of water to stop yourself from becoming dehydrated and causing any damage to your kidneys.
Lifestyle
Getting the Most From Treatment
It’s important to always take it in just the way detailed by our doctors. A few things to keep in mind while you do:
- 01
Driving and using machines
It’s recommended not to drive or to use machinery when taking valaciclovir until you’re sure you can do so safely, as there are side effects which can impact your ability to do both of these things.
- 02
Sunlight
Valaciclovir can make you more sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of sunburn. You should apply sunscreen when using this medication.
- 03
Expiry dates
Don’t use the medicine after the expiry date on the box. The expiry date refers to the last day of the month.
- 04
Disposal
If you have expired medicine, don’t throw it out with household waste or flush it down the sink or toilet, as the medication can cause environmental harm. Take expired medications to your local pharmacy so that they can be disposed of safely.
Suppression Treatment
Daily Suppression Treatment
FROM MARS provides valaciclovir as a daily preventative treatment for patients who have already been diagnosed with herpes and had a specific number of outbreaks, to help lessen the frequency of outbreaks and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to partners.
This daily suppression treatment should result in fewer or even no outbreaks. If you do experience an outbreak, your symptoms should be much less severe.
Ask Our Doctors
FROM MARS offers valaciclovir as a suppression treatment, contact our doctors to find out more.
Houston,
we have answers.
Houston,
we have answers.
Pricing
How much does valaciclovir cost?
- Free doctor consultation
- Licensed pharmacy & UK-licensed doctors
- Treatment plan from our doctors within 2 hours
- Free discreet delivery, next day
- Unlimited secure messages to your doctor
READY TO START?
GET VALACICLOVIR
TODAY
Valaciclovir is prescribed online with a free doctor consultation. FROM MARS is a registered UK pharmacy, start your online consultation here.