Cold sore prevention tablets Valaciclovir 500mg x 84

Valaciclovir 500mg is a treatment for Cold Sores. It is a prescription only medication

Symptoms of this condition start with a tingling, itching or burning sensation around your mouth. Small fluid-filled sores then appear, usually on the edges of your lower lip

It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes simplex and is effective for treating cold sores (In adults and adolescents over 12 years old) 

Valaciclovir is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or think you could be, or if you are planning to become pregnant, don’t take Valaciclovir without checking with your doctor.

It should not be taken by people who are allergic to valaciclovir or aciclovir or any of the other ingredients of this medicine

You can find out more by reading the patient information leaflet here or visit the NHS Choices Website

Valaciclovir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes simplex (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Cold sores and fever blisters are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). This virus is passed from person to person by saliva (either directly, or by drinking from the same glass or cup) or by skin contact. Cold sores usually appear as clusters of tiny blisters on the lip.

HSV-1 can get active again because of a cold or fever. Stress also can lead to acold sore outbreak. This includes mental and emotional stress, as well as dental treatment, illness, trauma to the lips or sun exposure.

What are the symptoms?

The primary infection can progress in different ways. Some people only have very mild symptoms or none at all.

The first outbreak starts one to three weeks after the virus has been contracted. It subsides spontaneously within a few weeks. Later, if HSV is reactivated, the blisters will return.

The first symptom of an outbreak is an unpleasant tingling feeling in the skin. After a short while, a number of fluid-filled blisters appear.

The sores become covered by scabs that, typically, fall off after 8 to 10 days. The virus can spread until the sores are completely covered by scabs.

Around 20 per cent of the people with HSV antibodies have recurrent attacks of cold sores throughout their lives.

In children, the virus can infect the mouth and throat. The infection may be accompanied by a fever and general aches and pains.