(Generic Valtrex)
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
Valacyclovir is a prescription antiviral medicine. Valacyclovir is the ingredient in the brand name medication Valtrex. Valacyclovir lowers the ability of herpes viruses to multiply in your body. Valacyclovir may be prescribed for cold sores, shingles, genital herpes, or chicken pox.
It is very important to maintain adequate hydration while taking this medication to maintain proper kidney function. Medicines are sometimes prescribed for conditions that are not mentioned in the patient information. Do not use Valacyclovir for a condition for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Valacyclovir to other people, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Take Valacyclovir exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your dose of Valacyclovir and length of treatment will depend on the type of herpes infection that you have and any other medical problems that you have. Do not stop valacyclovir or change your treatment without talking to your healthcare provider. Valacyclovir can be taken with or without food. You should start treatment as soon as possible after your symptoms start. If you miss a dose of Valacyclovir take it as soon as you remember and then take your next dose at its regular time. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, do not take the missed dose. Wait and take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take more than the prescribed number of Valacyclovir each day. Call your healthcare provider right away if you take too much Valacyclovir.
Store Valacyclovir tablets at room temperature, 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C). Keep Valacyclovir tablets in a tightly closed container. Do not keep medicine that is out of date or that you no longer need. Keep Valacyclovir and all medicines out of the reach of children.
Tell your doctor all of your medical conditions, medications and supplements that you take, if you have had a bone marrow or kidney transplant, if you have HIV or AIDS, if you have kidney problems, if you are 65 year of age or older, if you are pregnant, planning on becoming pregnant, or breastfeeding.
The common side effects of Valacyclovir are: Headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Side effects in HIV-infected adults include headache, tiredness, and rash. These side effects are usually mild and do not cause patients to stop taking Valacyclovir.
Read the Patient Information that comes with Valacyclovir before you start using it and each time you get a refill. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking to your healthcare provider about your medical condition or treatment. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Valacyclovir is used in adults:
Valacyclovir used daily with the following safer sex practices can lower the chances of passing genital herpes to your partner.
Valacyclovir is used in children:
Valacyclovir does not cure herpes infections (cold sores, chickenpox, shingles, or genital herpes).
The efficacy of valacyclovir has not been studied in children who have not reached puberty.
Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus that may be spread by kissing or other physical contact with the infected area of the skin. They are small, painful ulcers that you get in or around your mouth. It is not known if valacyclovir can stop the spread of cold sores to others.
Chickenpox is caused by a herpes virus. It causes an itchy rash of multiple small, red bumps that look like pimples or insect bites usually appearing first on the abdomen or back and face. It can spread to almost everywhere else on the body and may be accompanied by flu-like symptoms.
Shingles is caused by the same herpes virus that causes chickenpox. It causes small, painful blisters that happen on your skin. Shingles occurs in people who have already had chickenpox. Shingles can be spread to people who have not had chickenpox or the chickenpox vaccine by contact with the infected areas of the skin. It is not known if valacyclovir can stop the spread of shingles to others.
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease. It causes small, painful blisters on your genital area. You can spread genital herpes to others, even when you have no symptoms. If you are sexually active, you can still pass herpes to your partner, even if you are taking valacyclovir.
Valacyclovir taken every day as prescribed and used with the following safer sex practices, can lower the chances of passing genital herpes to your partner.
Ask your healthcare provider for more information about safer sex practices.
About all your medical conditions, including:
Kidney failure and nervous system problems are not common, but can be serious in some patients taking valacyclovir.
Nervous system problems include aggressive behavior, unsteady movement, shaky movements, confusion, speech problems, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are really not there), seizures, and coma.
Kidney failure and nervous system problems have happened in patients who already have kidney disease and in elderly patients whose kidneys do not work well due to age.
Always tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems before taking valacyclovir. Call your doctor right away if you get a nervous system problem while you are taking valacyclovir.
Common side effects of Valacyclovir in adults:
Side effects in HIV-infected adults include headache, tiredness, and rash.
These side effects are usually mild and do not cause patients to stop taking valacyclovir.
Other less common side effects in adults include:
The most common side effect seen in children <18 years of age was headache.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any side effects that concern you.
These are not all the side effects of valacyclovir. For more information ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
The following links provide further information of the potential risks and benefits of this medication:
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