How do you say valacyclovir? (Pronunciation Series Episode 62)

In this episode, I divide Valtrex and valacyclovir into syllables, tell you which syllables to emphasize, and share my sources. The written pronunciations are below and in the show notes on https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com.

 

Note: we don’t cover pharmacology in this series. Just pronunciations. The FULL show notes are available at https://www.thepharmacistsvoice.com/podcast. 

 

Valtrex = VAL-trex

• VAL, like the woman’s name “Valerie” 
• trex, like the plural of the word trek (treks)
• Source for the written pronunciation: Patient Information Section of the Prescribing Information for Valtrex on the FDA’s website accessed 9-2-25 https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2008/020487s014lbl.pdf 
• Source for the spoken pronunciation: drugs.com (accessed 9-2-25)

 

Valacyclovir = val-ay-SYE-kloe-veer 

• Val, like Valerie
• Ay, which is a long “A” sound.
• Sye, like cycle
• Kloe, like clover
• Veer, like a car may veer to steer clear of a deer at this time of the year. (As we go into fall here in the State of Ohio, you gotta watch out for deer!) This episode was published 9-5-25, right before Ohio deer season.
• Source for the written pronunciation: MedlinePlus.gov (accessed 9-2-25)
• Sources for spoken pronunciation: drugs.com 

 

Thank for listening to the 62nd episode in my drug pronunciation series!

 

If you’d like to recommend a drug name for this series, please reach out through the contact form on my website, thepharmacistsvoice.com.

 

If you know someone who would like to learn how to say Valtrex and valacyclovir, please share this episode with them. Subscribe for all future episodes. This podcast is on all major podcast players and YouTube. Popular links are below. ⬇️

 

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Host Background: Kim Newlove has been an Ohio pharmacist since 2001 (BS Pharm, Chem Minor). Her experience includes hospital, retail, compounding, and behavioral health. She is also an author, voice actor (medical narrator and audiobook narrator), podcast host, and consultant (audio production and podcasting). 

 

Other episodes in this series

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 343, Pronunciation Series Episode 61 (ubrogepant)

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 341, Pronunciation Series Episode 60 (topiramate)

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 339, Pronunciation Series Episode 59 (Suboxone)

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 337, Pronunciation Series Episode 58 (rosuvastatin) 

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 335, Pronunciation Series Episode 57 (QVAR)

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 333, Pronunciation Series Episode 56 (pantoprazole) 

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 330, Pronunciation Series Episode 55 (oxcarbazepine)

The Pharmacist’s Voice Podcast Episode 328, Pronunciation Series Episode 54 (nal