Q. I was recently diagnosed with shingles and prescribed Valtrex. I had no idea it was used for anything else until I picked up the prescription and read in the flyer that it is used for herpes.
I thought this would be comforting for the woman who wrote to you that she was so ashamed about having herpes she did not want to seek treatment. She was afraid people at the pharmacy would look down on her. These drugs have multiple uses, so who would know?
A. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is indeed used to shorten an attack of shingles as well as to treat genital herpes. You are right that a prescription for Valtrex is no cause for shame.
