The People's Pharmacy® with Joe and Terry Graedon

Search

Valtrex for Various Conditions

Newspaper Columns, Pharmacy Q&A August 15, 2008

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.

Tags: genital herpes, herpes, shingles, valacyclovir, Valtrex

Reader Comments

The comments below are provided by the users of this site and not by The Peoples Pharmacy or the Graedons. Please also remember that nothing contained in this site is intended as a substitute for medical advice.

Many years ago I started to get shingles and my family Dr gave me a homeopathic remedy, Variolinum, that stopped it and the welts immediately started drying up.

I have since used it for cold sores and it works! I'd used a product made from the herb Chapparal for the cold sores that works. Shegoi. The Variolinum is quicker!

Posted by: fbl | August 22, 2008 11:43 AM

Share Your Experiences

Do you have personal experiences related to this article? If so, we want to hear from you! Let us know your thoughts:

Please read our comment policy before posting. Thank you!





Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio. In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of this newspaper or e-mail them via their Web site: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com.

© 2008 King Features Syndicate, Inc.