What is valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the
body can fight off the infection. Valacyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the
infection.
Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses in adults and children. Illnesses
caused by herpes viruses include genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox.
Valacyclovir is used to treat cold sores in children who are at least 12 years old, and to treat
chickenpox in children who are at least 2 years old.
Valacyclovir may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking valacyclovir?
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take
this medication. Before taking valacyclovir, tell your doctor if you have:
-
HIV/AIDS, or other conditions that can weaken the immune
system;
-
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis); or
-
if you have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be
harmful to an unborn baby. However, herpes virus can be passed from an infected mother to her baby
during childbirth. If you have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during your
pregnancy so that you do not have a genital lesion when your baby is born.
Valacyclovir passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give valacyclovir to a child unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
Older adults may be more likely to have harmful side effects while taking valacyclovir. Talk
to your doctor about your specific risk.
How should I take valacyclovir?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Treatment with valacyclovir should be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of
symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters). This medication might not be as effective if you first start
taking it 1 or 2 days after the start of your symptoms.
Take each dose with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of water while you are taking
valacyclovir to keep your kidneys working properly.
Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just before you measure a dose. To be sure you get
the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Valacyclovir can be taken with or without food.
Take this medication for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor. Your
symptoms may get better before the infection is completely treated. Valacyclovir will not treat a viral
infection such as the common cold or flu.
Lesions caused by herpes viruses should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Wearing loose
clothing may help to prevent irritation of the lesions.
Store valacyclovir tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Store valacyclovir liquid in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused
valacyclovir that is older than 28 days.
What happens if I miss a dose of valacyclovir?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about valacyclovir?
Your pharmacist has information about valacyclovir written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of valacyclovir?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor right away if you have any of the
following signs of a serious side effect that can harm red blood cells:
-
fever, easy bruising or bleeding;
-
red spots on the skin (not related to herpes or chickenpox);
-
bloody diarrhea, vomiting;
-
pale or yellowed skin;
-
weakness or fainting; or
-
urinating less than usual or not at all.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these other serious side
effects:
-
pain in your lower back;
-
drowsiness, mood changes, increased thirst, loss of
appetite, nausea and vomiting;
-
swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;
-
confusion, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, trouble
concentrating;
-
feeling shaky or unsteady;
-
problems with speech or vision; or
-
seizure (convulsions).
Less serious side effects may include:
-
nausea, stomach pain;
-
headache, dizziness, tired feeling, depression;
-
joint pain;
-
menstrual pain;
-
mild skin rash; or
-
stuffy nose, sore throat.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about valacyclovir?
Before taking valacyclovir, tell your doctor if you have HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system,
kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), or if you have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant.
Valacyclovir can be harmful to the kidneys, and these effects are increased when it is used
together with other medicines that can harm the kidneys. Tell your doctor about all other medications
you are using. You may need dose adjustments or special tests when taking certain medications
together with valacyclovir.
Treatment with valacyclovir should be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of
symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters).
Herpes virus can be passed from an infected mother to her baby during childbirth. If you
have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during your pregnancy so that you do
not have a genital lesion when your baby is born.
Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Herpes infections are contagious and
you can infect other people even while you are taking with valacyclovir.
Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor right away if you have any signs
of a serious side effect that can harm red blood cells, such as:
fever, easy bruising or
bleeding, red spots on the skin (not related to herpes or chickenpox), bloody diarrhea, vomiting, pale
or yellowed skin, weakness, fainting, or urinating less than usual or not at all.
Do not give valacyclovir to a child unless it has been prescribed by a doctor.
What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Herpes infections are contagious and
you can infect other people even while you are taking with valacyclovir.
Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading the virus to others. Avoid
letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then
touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent passing the infection to others.
What other drugs will affect valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir can be harmful to the kidneys, and these effects are increased when it is used
together with other medicines that can harm the kidneys. Before taking valacyclovir, tell your doctor if
you are also using:
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexal);
-
pain or arthritis medicines such as aspirin (Anacin,
Excedrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Advil,
Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others;
-
medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, such as
mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);
-
medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such
as sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf);
-
IV antibiotics such as amphotericin B (Fungizone,
AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci-IM), capreomycin
(Capastat), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or vancomycin
(Vancocin, Vancoled);
-
antiviral medicines such as adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir
(Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or
-
cancer medicine such as aldesleukin (Proleukin),
carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin),
plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
valacyclovir. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins,
minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication
without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of valacyclovir?
