Valacyclovir
Chickenpox, Herpes Labialis ... show more
.svg)
DRUG STATUS
Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
Essential Medicine
NO
Teratogenicity
N/A
Pharmaceutical Class
Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpes Zoster Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor, Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Valacyclovir
Know More About This Medicine -
Click HereSummary
Valacyclovir is used for treating different types of herpes infections. It can treat cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes in healthy adults. It can also help prevent genital herpes outbreaks in some adults and reduce the spread of genital herpes.
Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine. After you take it, your body changes it into its active form, which targets virus-infected cells. It stops the virus from multiplying, helping to control the infection, reduce symptoms, and speed up healing.
For adults and kids 12 and up with cold sores, the typical dose is 2 grams twice a day, 12 hours apart, but only for one day. Other ages and health problems might need different amounts. Valacyclovir is taken orally.
Common side effects of Valacyclovir include headaches, nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue. Rare, but serious side effects can include kidney problems or neurological issues like confusion, hallucinations, or seizures.
Don't take Valacyclovir if you're allergic to it or a similar drug, acyclovir. Inform your doctor about any kidney problems, transplants, serious HIV, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you experience nervous system problems, get help right away. Rarely, it can cause serious blood problems.
Indications and Purpose
What is Valacyclovir used for?
Valacyclovir is a medicine that helps with different types of herpes. It treats cold sores, genital herpes (in adults), and shingles (in adults). It can also help prevent genital herpes from coming back and spreading in adults. But, it doesn't always work for everyone or in every situation.
How does Valacyclovir work?
Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine that works by stopping viruses like herpes and shingles from multiplying. After you take it, your body changes it into its active form, which targets virus-infected cells. It blocks the virus from making more copies of itself, helping to control the infection, reduce symptoms, and speed up healing.
Is Valacyclovir effective?
Valacyclovir is a medicine that helps with some types of herpes infections. It can treat cold sores, shingles (in healthy adults), and genital herpes (in healthy adults). It can also help prevent genital herpes outbreaks in some adults and reduce the spread of genital herpes. However, it doesn't always work for everyone or in every situation. It's best to talk to a doctor to see if it's right for you.
How does one know if Valacyclovir is working?
Studies show valacyclovir helps prevent genital herpes. It significantly reduced the chances of getting herpes, especially in people who didn't already have it. For those who did get herpes, valacyclovir helped sores heal faster.
Directions for Use
What is the usual dose of Valacyclovir?
For adults and kids 12 and up with cold sores, the typical medicine dose is 2 grams, twice a day, 12 hours apart, but only for one day. Other ages and health problems might need different amounts.
How do I take Valacyclovir?
You can take valacyclovir pills with or without food. It doesn't matter if you eat before or after taking them.
For how long do I take Valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is a medicine used for different infections like cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. How long you take it depends on what you have. For cold sores, it's usually a short course. For shingles and chickenpox, it's best to start it right away. Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take and for how long.
How long does it take for Valacyclovir to start working?
Valacyclovir works best when taken early. For cold sores, start it as soon as you feel a tingle, itch, or burn, or when the sore appears. For chickenpox, start it right away when you notice any signs. For shingles and genital herpes, it's most effective if started within 72 hours of the rash (shingles) or 24 hours of symptoms (genital herpes). Waiting longer might mean the medicine won't work as well.
How should I store Valacyclovir?
Keep the valacyclovir pills in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. The liquid medicine needs to be kept in the refrigerator and thrown away after four weeks, even if there's some left. Make sure the pills are in a closed container. Get rid of any medicine that's past its expiration date.
Warnings and Precautions
Who should avoid taking Valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is a medicine with important safety notes. Don't take it if you're allergic to it or a similar drug, acyclovir. Tell your doctor about any kidney problems, transplants, serious HIV, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get nervous system problems like acting strangely, trouble moving, confusion, or seeing things that aren't there, get help right away. Rarely, it can cause very serious, even deadly, blood problems. Throw away any medicine that's past its expiration date.
Can I take Valacyclovir with other prescription drugs?
Valacyclovir turns into acyclovir in your body. Some medicines, like cimetidine and probenecid, make your body keep more acyclovir for longer. This means higher levels of the medicine in your blood. Using these together boosts acyclovir's effects. Other medicines like antacids, digoxin, or thiazide diuretics don't seem to change how acyclovir works.
Can I take Valacyclovir with vitamins or supplements?
Valacyclovir (the medicine) doesn't seem to have any problems when taken with vitamins or supplements. There's no known bad reactions.
Can Valacyclovir be taken safely while pregnant?
Valacyclovir, a medication for certain infections, hasn't been clearly linked to major birth defects in many years of use. However, there's not enough information to say for sure if it affects miscarriage rates or other problems. Small studies show a small percentage of babies exposed to valacyclovir had birth defects, similar to the number of birth defects seen in babies who weren't exposed to the drug. More research is needed because the studies weren't large enough to give a definitive answer.
Can Valacyclovir be taken safely while breastfeeding?
A mother taking a certain medicine (valacyclovir) twice a day passes a small amount of its active ingredient (acyclovir) into her breast milk. While we don't know for sure what effect this has on the baby or milk supply, doctors need to consider the benefits of breastfeeding against any possible risks to the baby from the medicine.
Is Valacyclovir safe for the elderly?
Older people with kidney problems need lower doses of valacyclovir. They're more likely to have bad side effects, especially problems with their brain and nervous system, so the medicine should be given carefully.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Valacyclovir?
There is no information regarding the interaction between exercise and valacyclovir hydrochloride.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Valacyclovir?
There is no specific information about alcohol consumption in the provided prescribing information. However, alcohol can sometimes worsen side effects like dizziness or fatigue. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking valacyclovir hydrochloride.
Forms / Brands
