Valtrex is an antiviral medication that helps prevent certain viruses from multiplying. When a healthcare provider prescribes Valtrex for shingles, it can help the rash heal more quickly. However, it will not change the length or severity of the pain caused by shingles. When using Valtrex for shingles, keep in mind that the medication cannot cure the disease, as the virus remains in your body and can become active again.

Valtrex for Shingles: An Overview

Valtrex^® (valacyclovir hydrochloride) is a prescription medicine licensed to treat several conditions related to infections with the herpes virus. One of these infections is shingles (the others being cold sores and genital herpes).

 

Shingles (also known as herpes zoster) is a condition that is caused by the varicella zoster virus. This virus is also known as human herpes virus-3 (HHV-3). It is one of the eight herpes viruses known to infect humans. The shingles virus is the same virus that causes chickenpox. Most people become infected with this virus as a child. However, the body never completely gets rid of the virus, and it remains inactive in certain nerve cells in the body. Later in life, often triggered by stress or illness, the virus can become active again, causing shingles.

 

Symptoms of shingles may include a rash (usually on only one side of the body) and burning or tingling pain. Usually, the rash forms blisters that may break and ooze. If this happens, you may be able to spread the "shingles virus" to people who have never had chickenpox. Shingles pain can be quite severe and can continue long after the rash is gone (known medically as postherpetic neuralgia).

 

 

When Valtrex is used to treat shingles, it can help the shingles rash heal more quickly. However, it will not change the length or severity of postherpetic neuralgia. Valtrex is not a cure for shingles, as the virus will always remain in your body and may become active again.