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Valaciclovir is an antiviral treatment for genital herpes. It can be taken to treat an acute herpes outbreak or prevent recurrent outbreaks.
Our discreet and confidential service allows you to order herpes medication online. To place your order, fill in our brief questionnaire and select your preferred treatment. Our doctor will review your order and approve appropriate treatment.
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Free standard delivery FREE Estimated Delivery: 25-27th April We dispatch orders every day from Monday to Friday. If placed before 4pm, your order will be dispatched the same day. Orders placed after 4pm will be processed and sent out the next working day. Next Day Click & Collect FREE Collection: 24th April Collect your order from any Royal Mail post office. You will receive an email or SMS as soon as your order is ready for collection. Your order will be available to collect from the Post Office for up to 18 days. Proof of Identification will be required for collection. Next Day Express delivery £3.99 Estimated Delivery: 24th April by 1pm If placed before 4pm, your order will be delivered by 1pm on the next working day. Orders placed after 4pm are processed and sent out the next day and delivered the day after. You will choose your delivery option at the checkout. Delivery options may vary depending on the pack size and dosage chosen.
Prices
acute outbreak
1 course / 10 tablet(s) - £24.00
2 courses / 20 tablet(s) - £34.00
3 courses / 30 tablet(s) - £44.00
About Valaciclovir
What dosage of Valaciclovir should I take?
If this is your first infection, you should take 2 500mg dosages per day for around 10 days. Your doctor will advise you of your treatment plan, so it is important to follow their instruction. For recurring infections, the treatment plan is usually the same, but only for 3 to 5 days.
If you overdose, you must seek medical assistance.
If you miss a dose, do not double dose the next time. Simply continue with the treatment as normal the next day.
You must drink a lot of fluids whilst taking Valaciclovir and wear sun cream as your skin is more sensitive to UV light when taking Valaciclovir.
What does Valaciclovir contain?
Valaciclovir is the active ingredient in Valtrex tablets. Each tablet contains either 250mg, 500mg or 1000mg valaciclovir (as valaciclovir hydrochloride monohydrate). The other ingredients are tablet are cellulose microcrystalline, povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, titanium dioxide (E171), macrogol 400,and hypromellose.
Valaciclovir side effects
If you experience a serious allergic reaction (symptoms are facial swelling, itchy skin and difficulty breathing), stop taking Valaciclovir immediately and seek medical assistance.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Rashes and itching
- Sensitivity to light
- Confusion/agitation
- Tremors
- Feeling drowsy
- Hallucinations
- Shortness of breath
- Stomach discomfort
- Hive like rash
- Blood in the urine
- Reduction in number of white blood cells
- Reduced platelet count
- Increased substances produced by the liver
- Unsteadiness whilst walking/lack of coordination
- Slow/slurred speech
- Fits/coma
- Altered brain function
- Disturbed thoughts
- Altered kidney function
You should always consult your doctor if you experience any of these side effects, or any other changes.
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Valaciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat genital herpes, cold sores, chickenpox and shingles. However, it is not a cure: there is no current cure for genital herpes. The virus can only be suppressed so that the virus remains in a dormant state and no further symptoms are experienced. The herpes virus can never be completely destroyed. Valaciclovir will work on both HSV 1 and 2, which are cold sores and genital herpes respectively.
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The herpes virus is not active and can remain so for many years. This is why, during a first infection, symptoms may only appear after a week or so it is only when the virus activates that you experience the symptoms of the infection. In the active state of the virus, Valaciclovir prevents the enzymes which help build DNA from working properly. This means that the virus can’t replicate.
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So long as you take Valaciclovir as instructed, it should control the spread and extent of your genital herpes. Make sure you take it within the first five days after symptoms appear to maximise treatment effectiveness. Genital herpes cannot be completely cured as the virus cannot be totally eliminated; only the spread of the virus can be controlled.
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Men and women can take Valaciclovir unless they take any of the medicines or suffer any of the conditions in the “Warnings” tab. The majority of patients with symptoms of genital herpes will be under 30 as this group tends to be experiencing their first episode of the virus.
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Herpes frequently has no symptoms, and so you should take a test for genital herpes if ever you have unprotected sex or a condom breaks. The STI can also be passed by sharing sex toys.
You may, however, experience symptoms such as fever, nausea, aching muscle and pain during urination. Abnormal vaginal discharge can be another symptom of genital herpes in women, as well as inflammation of the womb. The main symptom of genital herpes is blistered and itchy skin. In women, blisters may appear around the vagina, thighs, anus and buttocks. In males, blisters may appear on the penis, scrotum, thighs, buttocks and anus. In addition to this, oral sex can result in genital herpes in the tongue and lips, however this is quite rare.
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You should start within the first 5 days of symptoms arising, but within the first 2 days is preferred: this will reduce the risk of any severe consequences. If it is your first infection, the symptoms usually take one or two weeks to arise. You should get tested as soon as you have unprotected sex or share sex toys, rather than waiting for the symptoms to arise.
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Yes. This is really important as it will reduce the risk of you suffering recurring infections.
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This is not advisable. This will put your partner at risk of genital herpes too. People often overlook the fact that oral and anal sex can also result in the transmission of genital herpes as well. If you do have sexual intercourse, it must be protected. You should always use a condom.
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Alcohol does not interact with Valaciclovir. This means that you can drink whilst taking this treatment.
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Yes. You can get this online with Zava, provided you are suitable for the treatment.
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These are separate viruses. Genital herpes is harmless if you receive the correct treatment as soon as possible. However, the presence of genital herpes may put you at increased risk of getting HIV. You should speak to your doctor about risks and prevention if you are concerned.
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You should notice that the symptoms, if any, should disappear and the blistering will die down. However, you should arrange to see your doctor a couple of weeks after your first symptoms appear so you can assess if the infection has been suppressed.
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All the antiviral treatments for genital herpes have the same effectiveness. Aciclovir, Valaciclovir and Famclovir, respectively sold as Zovirax, Valtrex and Famvir are the other treatments. The advantage of Valaciclovir is that patients experience fewer/less extreme side effects compared to the other genital herpes medications and this is what makes it slightly more expensive.
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Protection is the most important prevention method. You should always use a condom, particularly with a new partner. Genital herpes cannot be cured and it is likely that infections will recur throughout life, so protection is particularly important.
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The most common brand name for Valaciclovir is Valtrex.
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The tablets are oval and white with “VC1” marked on 250mg tablets, “VC2” marked on 500mg tablets and “VC3” marked on 1000mg tablets.
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You must not take Valaciclovir if you are allergic to any of the tablet ingredients.
- Are over 65
- Have kidney problems
- Have liver problems
- Have a weak immune system
Make sure you don’t become dehydrated whilst taking Valaciclovir by drinking water.
You must tell your doctor if you are on any of the following medications before taking Valaciclovir:
- Non-prescription herbal medicines
- Medicines that affect the kidneys. These include: aminoglycosides, organoplatinum compounds, iodinated contrast media, methotrexate, pentamidine, foscarnet, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, cimetidine and probenecid.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breastfeeding and wish to take Valaciclovir.
You should not drive or operate heavy machinery if your feel dizzy or sleepy whilst on Valaciclovir medication.
Complete online consultation
Answer a few simple questions about your health.
Our doctors will review your order
One of our registered doctors confirms your suitability.
Fast, discreet delivery
Your medicine or test kit is dispatched by our pharmacy.
Medical Director
Doctor
Deputy Medical Director
Doctor
You can treat genital herpes two ways. One treatment option is for when you experience an individual outbreak (acute therapy) and the other is treatment for when you need to avoid regular outbreaks (suppressive). Zava offers both types of treatment through a discreet, convenient service.
