Valaciclovir
  • Valaciclovir

Valaciclovir 500mg

Medication features

  • Better Value Generic Version of Valtrex
  • 500mg Tablets
  • Effective genital herpes treatment
  • Antiviral used for outbreak or suppression 

Overview

Valaciclovir 500mg Tablets Online

You can request to buy Valaciclovir from our UK registered online pharmacy and doctor service. If you have been previously diagnosed with genital herpes, you can be prescribed this medication to treat the infection.

No prescription is required, however, you will need to complete an online assessment, so our doctors can issue a prescription to our pharmacy. If the doctors approve your order, a prescription is passed to our pharmacy team, who will then dispense and dispatch your medication.

If our doctors feel a face to face consultation would be best for you, a notification is sent via e-mail and a full refund is issued.

About Valaciclovir

Valaciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat infection caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2). It is often used in the treatment of outbreaks of genital herpes or cold sores but can also be used for suppression or preventative therapy if outbreaks occur often or are particularly severe.

HSV is a condition that cured, rather it will go through periods of dormancy and activity. Valaciclovir can prevent or suppress the virus effectively in most cases however it will not clear the infection from the body.

Valaciclovir is the better value generic form of Valtrex, a well-known herpes treatment in the UK.

How does Valaciclovir work?

Valaciclovir works by stopping the herpes simplex virus from multiplying. It does this by stopping the viral DNA from forming when it attempts to multiply. This, in turn, allows the body's immune system to battle and suppress the infection effectively. Although this can ease symptoms and lessen the duration of the outbreak, genital herpes cannot currently be fully eliminated from the body with any treatment.

About genital herpes

Genital herpes is caused by skin to skin contact with an infected lesion. This usually occurs due to sexual contact with another person with the condition. 

The symptoms of genital herpes are small sores or blisters on the genitals that may cause pain and ooze fluids. It may also cause discomfort or pain while passing urine. If you experience these, you must consult a doctor to confirm the diagnosis with a swab or blood test.

Treating genital herpes with valaciclovir or other antiviral medicines is generally only required if you experience outbreaks of lesions (blisters).

Valaciclovir Dose

To treat an outbreak of genital herpes in adults, Valaciclovir should be taken twice daily. The second dose should be taken as close to 12 hours as possible to the first dose.

If Valaciclovir is being used to suppress an outbreak, the dosage is one tablet daily. Suppression treatment is used in people who have frequently recurring outbreaks of herpes. This is generally defined as more than 6 outbreaks per year.

The prophylactic (preventative) treatment can help reduce, or completely stop recurring outbreaks. In addition, future outbreaks generally don't last as long and are less aggressive. 

It is important to drink plenty of water when taking a course of these antivirals to minimise potential side effects.

Valaciclovir 500mg Summary

Dose

Take ONE tablet TWICE daily for 5 days for outbreak treatment

Type of medicine

Antiviral tablet

Mechanism

Stops viral DNA replication preventing virtual multiplication

Available Size

10-84 tablets

Available Strength

500mg tablets

Active Ingredient

Valaciclovir (Valacyclovir)

Price

From £22.95

Side Effects

Can include stomach pain, nausea, headache, itching and gastric upset

Valaciclovir Prices

10 Tablets

£22.95

20 Tablets

£43.99

30 Tablets

£59.99

84 - Suppression Course

£139.99

Alternative treatments

All of the main treatments for genital herpes are anti-virals that work in the same way. The main point of difference is that while Valaciclovir and Famciclovir need to be taken twice daily, Aciclovir requires three times daily dosage. This makes compliance with the herpes eradication regimen a little easier with Valaciclovir. 

Valaciclovir is, however, a more expensive option than aciclovir, but much cheaper than Valtrex in the UK. Aciclovir is available from £0.21 / tablet

Valaciclovir Side Effects

Like all medicines, Valaciclovir has the potential to cause some side effects. Not everyone will experience side effects but if you do, speak to your doctor.

Common side effects of Valaciclovir tablets are:

  • Stomach pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Tiredness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Rash
  • Vomiting
  • Itching
  • Hives

If you experience any severe side effects or symptoms of an allergic reaction (breathing difficulties, itching, hives, rash) you should seek immediate medical attention. If you experience any prolonged side effects you should consult a doctor or pharmacist.

For a list of all the potential side effects of Valaciclovir, read the patient information leaflet.

Author

Tyson Wilkman, Clinical Pharmacist

Name

Tyson Wilkman

RoleClinical Pharmacist
Qual.Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours)
AboutTyson started with Simple Online Pharmacy in 2021. He's responsible for helping author and review accurate site content. He works with our GPs to make sure all aspects of the medicines are covered.

FAQ

What is Valaciclovir?

Valaciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat or prevent a number of viral conditions including herpes, shingles, cold sores and cytomegalovirus.

Can I buy Valaciclovir over the counter in the UK?

No, Valaciclovir is a prescription-only medicine in the UK. It is available to those with a previous diagnosis of genital herpes after an online assessment with a registered UK online doctor service.

Are Valaciclovir and Valacyclovir the same?

Yes, Valacyclovir is the spelling used by the USA. In the UK and many other countries, it is spelt Valaciclovir. Both medicines contain the exact same active ingredient.

How long does Valaciclovir take to work?

A typical outbreak course of Valaciclovir is 5 days, taking one 500mg tablet twice a day. It may take some time for the blisters to completely heal. If the blisters do not heal or worsen, consult a doctor.

How many Valaciclovir tablets should I take a day?

The dose for each person can vary based on the condition it is being used to treat. If you are unsure about your dose, it is best to contact the prescriber. For genital herpes outbreaks, a course is one tablet twice a day for 5 days.

Compare

Treatment Comparison

AciclovirValaciclovirFamciclovir
Outbreak DosageOne tablet THREE times daily for five daysOne tablet TWICE daily for 5 daysOne tablet TWICE daily for 5 days
Suppression DosageOne tablet TWICE daily for 3 months One tablet TWICE daily for 3 monthsOne tablet TWICE daily for 3 months
MechanismPrevents the virus from multiplyingPrevents the virus from multiplyingPrevents the virus from multiplying
PriceCheapest. From 9.95.More expensive. From £22.95.More expensive. From £19.95.

Reviews

Info Leaflet

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the patient information leaflet

Warnings

Warnings & Precautions

Valaciclovir may not be suitable for all people. For example, those who have experienced allergic reactions to the medicine or any listed ingredient or have reacted poorly to similar antivirals in the past.

For those which the following apply, you must consult your doctor or pharmacist before you use the medicine:

  • If you have liver or kidney problems
  • If you are over 65 years old
  • If you have a weakened immune system (immunocompromised)

If you develop a rash with a fever and enlarged lymph nodes, stop taking the medicine and immediately seek medical attention. It may be a sign of a rare but associated drug reaction known as drug reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS).

While Valaciclovir does suppress herpes infections, if a lesion is present, you may still be infectious to others. Practice safe sex (including oral sex) such as the use of condoms to avoid passing the infection onto others.

Other medicines

Some medicines may interact with this antiviral treatment. It is important when completing the online assessment that you list all the medicines you take so our doctors can ensure the medicine is right for you. In particular, medicines that affect the kidneys may pose a risk with Valaciclovir.

Valaciclovir in pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not recommended to use Valaciclovir while pregnant or breastfeeding. You should consult your doctor who may be able to consider the risk versus benefit of treatment on an individual basis.

For a full list of the warnings and precautions associated with the treatment, read the patient information leaflet.

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Aciclovir Tablets

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
400mg x 15 - 1 Outbreak £9.95
400mg x 30 - 2 Outbreaks £15.95
400mg x 45 - 3 Outbreaks £23.95
400mg x 168 - Suppression Course £31.95

Famciclovir

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
1 Outbreak - 10 Tablets £14.95
2 Outbreaks - 20 Tablets £19.95
3 Outbreaks - 30 Tablets £23.95
Supression Course - 84 Tablets £34.95

Valaciclovir 500mg

Medication Simple Online Pharmacy
500mg x 10 - 1 Outbreak £22.95
500mg x 20 - 2 Outbreaks £43.99
500mg x 30 - 3 Outbreaks £59.99
500mg x 84 - Supression Course £139.99
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