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Pediatric and Off-Label Uses for Valacyclovir
Is Valacyclovir Used for Children?
Valacyclovir is approved to treat chickenpox in children at 2 to 18 years old and cold sores in children at least 12 years old. Your healthcare provider can give you more information on the risks and benefits of using valacyclovir in children.Is Valacyclovir Used for Off-Label Reasons?
On occasion, a healthcare provider may recommend valacyclovir for something other than the conditions discussed in this article. This is called an "off-label" use. At this time, there are a few off-label valacyclovir uses, such as:- Prevention of shingles or cold sore outbreaks
- Treatment of viral infections other than shingles, cold sores, chickenpox, and genital herpes.
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD