Nobody likes having unsightly looking cold sores on their face. They don’t look good and are usually inflamed and weepy. Have you recently been diagnosed with Herpes Simplex and your doctor prescribed Valtrex? Don’t feel anxious about taking this medication because, in many cases, it can help to clear up the condition faster.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) helps to reduce the symptoms associated with chickenpox, shingles, and herpes 1 and 2 viruses. It’s an antiviral medication that reduces the healing time and the spreading of this virus.
Valtrex can be prescribed to children and adults over 12 years of age. Its primary purpose is to reduce outbreaks and keep the virus quiescent. Constant cold sore outbreaks can be treated successfully before the virus erupts in the mouth area.
For children under 2 years of age, check with your doctor first. In some cases, children can take this medication if they have herpes outbreaks.
How Valtrex Works On Cold Sores
It slows the growth of the Herpes Virus. Valtrex is an antiviral medication that can be taken before the blisters appear. If caught early enough, Valtrex will halt cold sores completely.
The main active ingredient is valacyclovir hydrochloride. This ingredient is also used with HIV patients to help prevent outbreaks of Herpes infections. For an already weakened immune system, Valtrex can slow down reoccurring viral outbreaks.
Valtrex does not cure herpes and may not work if you didn’t catch it early enough. The objective is to stop the virus and return it to a dormant state. Take the medication as soon as you feel any burning, itching, and tingling sensations.
What’s the Recommended Adult Dosage?
- For cold sores: 2 grams orally every 12 hours for a total of 2 doses.
- For genital herpes: 1 gram orally twice a day for 7 to 10 days
- Reoccurring herpes outbreaks: 500 mg orally twice a day for 3 days
How Long Does It Take for Valtrex to Work?
- Symptom relief typically takes just 2 to 3 days.
- Fever blisters normally go away a week after treatment.
Can You Take Other Medications with Valtrex?
- If you are taking any other medications, inform your doctor. They’ll be able to assess whether the two different meds are compatible.
- If you have other health-related issues, ask your physician if Valtrex could ‘potentially’ be harmful to you.
- If you are undergoing chemotherapy, antibiotic injections or medications for transplants, you must inform your doctor.
- The long-term use of Valtrex may cause Kidney damage.
- This medication should only be used at the time of a cold sore outbreak.
If you still have questions about Valtrex, ask your local pharmacist for help. Never share this medication with another person who also has cold sores. Some people experience allergic reactions and seizures to certain medications. We all respond differently to medicines.
What Are the Known Valtrex Side Effects?
Just like anything else, although rare, there are ‘possible’ side effects when you use medication. If you have an itch on the body, a rash or increased heart rate, stop taking Valtrex. You may be having an allergic reaction to the medication, and your doctor should be informed about this right away.
Other Possible Adverse Reactions
- Nausea and headache, or itching
- Agitation or depression
- Bleeding or unusual bruising
- Blood in your stools or decreased urination
- Seizures or tremors
- Yellow skin in the eyes
If you are pregnant or have kidney problems, seek medical advice before taking Valtrex. Anyone who had a bone marrow transplant or HIV is more ‘likely’ to notice some of the above symptoms.
Things to Know About Cold Sore
- Cold Sores can remain for 7 to 14 days when the virus is active
- The tingling, itchiness, and burning starts about 48 hours before the blister
- Blisters typically break out around the edge of the mouth, nose, chin, and cheeks
- Some people will have a headache or swollen glands before the outbreak
- Cold sores are extremely contagious, so sharing anything is not advised
There is no relation to having a cold sore and a viral flu-type infection. Some people will have outbreaks at this time because their immune system is already lowered. Drink plenty of water and rest if you have both infections at the same time.
Avoiding Contact with Other People
Avoid all types of sexual contact or kissing when taking Valtrex for cold sores. They are highly contagious, and your hands should be kept clean. Do not share utensils, towels, and clothing when you have cold sores.
Do not put your hands on your eyes if you have any Herpes Virus outbreaks. Herpes in the eye is very dangerous and may cause serious sight issues. Ocular herpes is rare, but it can and does occur.
Weepy cold sores need to be dried up as soon as possible. Use products with drying agents in them, such as the Virulite cold sore machine and HERP-B-Gone. Other products like essential oils with antibacterial agents will also stop the spread of infection.
How to Avoid Spreading Cold Sores to Others
- Keep your hands sanitized at all times while you are infected
- Do not touch your hands to your face while the virus is active
- Use cotton swabs to apply medication to the cold sore
- Do not share food, clothing, and other items with anyone
- Disinfect areas that you touch so as not to spread the virus
- Keep your contact with children to a minimum
Valtrex has been proven as a successful treatment for cold sores. You must take the medication as soon as you feel a cold sore coming on. Timing is everything when taking Valtrex, the sooner you take it, the better your success.
So how long does Valtrex take to work on cold sores? Valtrex can stop the cold sore dead in its tracks if you take it soon enough. That’s great news for everyone who experiences outbreaks. We all respond differently to medications, so some trial and error are often needed before you find the right treatment for your requirements.
You can find out more about good alternative over-the-counter cold sore meds in this post.