Drug Uses

Valtrex is a medicine used to treat herpes zoster (shingles), to treat or suppress genital herpes in immunocompetent individuals to suppress recurrent genital herpes in individuals infected with HIV. Valtrex is also used to treat cold sores (herpes labialis).

How Taken

Valtrex is available as a tablet that is taken orally. The medicine is commonly used every 8 hours (three times a day) for a period of 7 days to treat shingles. If you use the medicine to treat genital herpes you should take it two times per day for a period of 5 days. For treatment of cold sores Valtrex is commonly used only for one day. Valtrex should be taken exactly as directed; do not take more or less of it and do not take it more often than prescribed. The medicine should be used as soon as possible after the symptoms of the medical condition appear. Do not discontinue the usage of Valtrex even if you feel better and without a consultation with your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

You should not take Valtrex without a consultation with your doctor in case you are allergic to acyclovir (Zovirax). Inform your doctor if you have kidney disease or problems with the immune system. Your dosage may have to be adjusted or you may need to be monitored during the treatment with Valtrex. Valtrex falls into the FDA pregnancy category B which means that the medicine is not expected to harm a fetus. Consult your doctor before using the medicine if you are pregnant or may become pregnant. Also, consult you your doctor before taking Valtrex if you are breast feeding because it is not clear if Valtrex passes into breast milk and how it may affect a nursing infant.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, you should take it as soon as possible and continue taking your next doses at regular intervals. However, if it is already time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed one and take the regular dose.

Possible Side Effects

Valtrex may rarely cause serious kidney failure or problems with the nervous system among which are 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 been reported in patients who already have kidney disease or in older patients whose kidneys do not function properly. Before you take Valtrex you should inform your doctor if you have kidney disease. You should contact your doctor immediately if you develop any nervous system problems during a treatment with Valtrex. The medicine may also cause common adverse effects such as headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Patients infected with HIV may experience headache, tiredness, and rash. These side effects are commonly mild and do not require discontinuation of the treatment with Valtrex. Among the other less common side effects are painful periods in women, joint pain, depression, low blood cell counts, and changes in tests that measure how well the liver and kidneys work.

Storage

Valtrex should be store at 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F). Keep the medicine in a tightly-closed container. Keep it away from children. Throw away any outdated or left medicine.

Overdose

Immediately search for medical help if you suspect an overdose. The symptoms caused by Valtrex are not known very well but an overdose of the similar medicine Zovirax may be signaled by seizures, hallucinations, and kidney damage (reduced urine production).

More Information

Herpes infections are contagious and you may infect other people even while you are treating the infection. You should avoid contact of the affected areas with other people. A way to prevent transmission is to wash your hands frequently. Valtrex cannot prevent the transmission of genital herpes. The spread of the virus may be prevented if you avoid sexual contacts or if you use latex condoms.

Disclaimer

This drug information is for your information purposes only, it is not intended that this information covers all uses, directions, drug interactions, precautions, or adverse effects of your medication. This is only general information, and should not be relied on for any purpose. It should not be construed as containing specific instructions for any particular patient. We disclaim all responsibility for the accuracy and reliability of this information, and/or any consequences arising from the use of this information, including damage or adverse consequences to persons or property, however such damages or consequences arise. No warranty, either expressed or implied, is made in regards to this information.