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Valaciclovir is a generic antiviral drug used against most herpesviruses. It does not cure herpes, but helps reduce the viral expression, by interrupting the replication of viral DNA.[1]

Valaciclvir is the international nonproprietary name used by the World health Organization (WHO). The name used in the US is valacyclovir. The non-generic or trade names are Valtrex and Zelitrex, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline.

It is available by prescription only, worldwide, and is administered orally.

Once in the body, valaciclovir is converted to aciclovir (known as acyclovir in the US).

Treatment with Valacyclovir reduces the number of Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells, but not the number of EBV DNA copies within each infected cell.[2]

Use in ME/CFS[edit]

Some ME/CFS specialists prescribe valaciclvir to help mitigate the effects of the Epstein-Barr virus which may be reaactivated in ME/CFS. Dr. A Martin Lerner studied the efficacy of higher doses of Valtrex on ME/CFS and concluded that it increased physical functioning, improved heart functioning, and decreased Epstein-Barr virus antibody levels. [3]

Learn more[edit]

See also[edit]


  1. Wikipedia - Valaciclovir
  2. Hoshino, Yo; Katano, Harutaka; Zou, Ping; Hohman, Patricia; Marques, Adriana; Tyring, Stephen K.; Follmann, Dean; Cohen, Jeffrey I. (November 2009), "Long-Term Administration of Valacyclovir Reduces the Number of Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Infected B Cells but Not the Number of EBV DNA Copies per B Cell in Healthy Volunteers", Journal of Virology, 83 (22): 11857–11861, ISSN 0022-538X, PMC 2772668free to read, PMID 19740997, doi:10.1128/JVI.01005-09, retrieved 2016-11-09 
  3. ME/CFS Treatment Resource Guide for Practitioners - A. Martin Lerner (pdf)

