Does Valacyclovir Help Treat Cold And Flu?

Posted on Fri, 30 Jan 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 30 Jan 2015 Answered on

Fri, 27 Feb 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I have valacyclovir for when I get coldsores. I can feel that I have a sorethroat coming on and am probably getting the virus that is currently going around our area, and am wondering if taking some of the valacyclovir might help ward off another virus if I take it right now at the first signs, as I do when I feel a coldsore starting. It works great for that and I realize it is for herpes, but am thinking there might be some general antiviral benefit. Would it hurt to try it now, at the first sign of this sore, tight feeling in my throat? I just can't get sick right now.

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (-3 hours later)

Brief answer.....it doesn't have any effect on cold or flu virus
Detailed answer....
Hello,
Thanks for the query.
You have really posted a nice question but frankly speaking VALACYCYCLOVIR is used to treat only herpes virus infection.It may be used in other viral infection called as cytomegalovirus but it has no role in treating cold virus or flu virus.Best for sore throat is warm saline gargles 2-3 times a day and taking hot liquids.
I hope it helps however you are most welcome to ask any other query.
Best of luck
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar