The Fever Blister Treatment

Cold Sore Kit

Why even let those little dormant devils keep you down? Valacyclovir is here to make sure this is no longer a stress in your life. For $15.00 a month, we supply you with the hardest working relief so that you can sit back and live your life.

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* Prescription products require an online consultation with a physician who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Valacyclovir may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, or dizziness.

This page has been medically reviewed by Patrick Carroll, MD.

Fast Relief

Unlike what you find over the counter, this is the medical relief that works in 24 hours. No creams, no BS. Real medicine, fast results.

Learn: How to get rid of a cold sore fast

A viral suppressive

Valacyclovir is an antiviral suppressive approved by the FDA to treat Herpes Simplex, also known as HSV-1.

The science

By blocking the virus' polymerase enzyme, we are able to stop the HSV-1 virus from building DNA and replicating itself inside of you. This reduces the severity of your cold sore flare ups as well as the ability for the virus to transfer between folks.

Learn: How valacyclovir works

What about genital?

Though this antiviral drug can be prescribed for Genital Herpes, our treatment plan is intended only for Oral Herpes, HSV-1.

Important Safety Information

Valacyclovir (Generic for VALTREX®) for the Treatment of Oral Herpes: Important Safety Information

The following is the most important information that you should know about valacyclovir for the treatment of oral herpes.

Hims & Hers only offers access to valacyclovir as an Episodic Therapy for the treatment of recurrent oral herpes (cold sores) in adults. Recurrent oral herpes means that you have experienced an infection in the past (i.e., this is not the first time that you are experiencing a cold sore). If you have not been officially diagnosed with oral herpes by a healthcare provider in-person, you will be unable to receive valacyclovir through the Hims & Hers platform.

What is episodic therapy?

Episodic Therapy: This is when you take valacyclovir for an individual outbreak as it occurs. Episodic treatment must be initiated quickly to be effective. Ideally, you would start valacyclovir at the first sign of any prodromal symptoms (tingling, itching, pain, or burning) that precede some outbreaks or within 1 day of noticing an oral lesion. Research shows that this type of therapy can shorten the time to healing of the cold sore.
Valacyclovir does not cure oral herpes. There is no cure for oral herpes.
If you get cold sores, it is possible to spread herpes to others even when you don't have a cold sore that you can see.
- People will often begin having symptoms 1-2 days before the actual cold sore shows up. This is called a prodrome. The symptoms of a prodrome often include pain, burning, itching, or tingling at the site where the cold sore will appear.
DO NOT have intimate or sexual contact with anyone when you have any symptoms that precede a visible infection (“prodrome”: burning, tingling, itching, or pain) or you have a visible cold sore, as you can transmit the herpes virus to them. During these times, it is suggested that you DO NOT:
- Kiss anyone
- Share utensils, glasses, towels, products that are applied to the lips (lip balm, lip gloss, lip stick, etc.)
- Perform oral sex on anyone while you have symptoms of an oncoming infection or a visible herpes outbreak (cold sore) as you can transmit the virus to an uninfected partner’s genitals and give them genital herpes

Do not use valacyclovir for the treatment of oral herpes if you:

Have never had the diagnosis of oral herpes made by a healthcare provider in-person
Are hypersensitive to valacyclovir, acyclovir, or any component of valacyclovir’s formulation
- Main Ingredient: valacyclovir hydrochloride
- Inactive ingredients: carnauba wax, colloidal silicon dioxide, crospovidone, FD&C Blue No. 2 Lake, hypromellose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, povidone, titanium dioxide, edible white ink

If any of the following conditions apply to you, please speak with a healthcare provider in-person about seeking treatment for your oral herpes:

Younger than 18 years of age
Pregnant or breastfeeding
HIV infection or AIDS
Kidney or liver problems
History of a bone marrow transplant or kidney transplant
Weakened immune system not related to HIV infection
Aseptic encephalitis or transverse myelitis
Urinary retention issues
Widespread herpes simplex virus
History of seizure disorder

What are some of the more common side effects of valacyclovir?

You may experience side effects with this medication. These side effects are common and typically go away with time and regular use:

Headache
Nausea
Stomach Pain
Vomiting
Dizziness

Side effects in HIV-infected adults may also include:

Tiredness
Rash

What are the less common but concerning side effects that I should contact a healthcare provider immediately for?

Any sign of an allergic reaction
Changes in mood or in the way that you are acting
Feeling confused
Difficulty speaking
Feeling shaky, having difficulty moving, or feeling stiff
Seizures
Bruising or bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes
Severe weakness or fatigue
Difficulty passing urine or blood in the urine
Hallucinations

Please tell your physician if you are currently taking any of the following medicines, as they may have an interaction with valacyclovir. If you are taking any of these medicines, you must see a healthcare provider in-person for treatment of your oral herpes:

Cladribine
Clozapine
Foscarnet
Mycophenolate
Talimogene laherparepvec
Tenofovir Products
Theophylline Derivatives
Tizanidine
Zidovudine

Please read the following information regarding the Varicella Virus Vaccine and the Zoster Vaccine:

Varicella Virus Vaccine: avoid use of valacyclovir within the 24 hours prior to administration of the varicella vaccine, and avoid use for 14 days after vaccination.
Zoster Vaccine (Live/Attenuated): discontinue valacyclovir for at least 24 hours prior to and 14 days after receiving a live attenuated zoster vaccine.

We've got answers

Frequently asked questions about valacyclovir

what is a cold sore?

Cold sores are blisters most often found on or around the mouth caused by the herpes simplex virus, which is categorized into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. They are also referred to as fever blisters or oral herpes.

what is valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir is an antiviral suppressive approved by the FDA to treat herpes simplex, which is categorized into two types: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Valacyclovir works by blocking the virus' polymerase enzyme. By doing so, the medicine is able to stop the herpes simplex virus from building DNA and replicating itself. This reduces the severity of your cold sores and flare-ups, as well as the ability for the virus to transfer between hosts. The active ingredient in valacyclovir is valacyclovir hydrochloride.

what is valacyclovir used for?

Valacyclovir is used to treat shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming.

how do you take valacyclovir for cold sores?

For adults treating cold sores, the typical dose of valacyclovir is 2,000 mg, with a secondary dose of 2,000 mg 12 hours later.

how long does valacyclovir stay in your system?

After oral ingestion, valacyclovir is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and nearly completely converted to acyclovir and L-valine. The half life of acyclovir is about 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function. This means that about 2.5 to 3.3 hours after you take a dose of valacyclovir, about half of the active ingredient will remain in your blood.

how long does valacyclovir take to work on cold sores?

Valacyclovir works best when taken within 24 hours of the first symptoms and will reduce your symptoms in about 2-3 days.

what are valacyclovir side effects?

Valacyclovir is generally well tolerated when taken as directed by a doctor. Side effects may include headache, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain, or vomiting. It is important to stay well hydrated while taking valacyclovir to avoid these symptoms. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, please contact your doctor.

If you are interested in a prescription, Hims will match you with an independent physician who will evaluate whether or not you are an appropriate candidate for the prescription product and if appropriate, may write you a prescription for the product.