Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects of Valtrex.
Chemical Name: VALACYCLOVIR (VAL-ay-SYE-kloe-vir)
Valtrex 500mg is an antiviral used for treating shingles (herpes zoster), cold sores (fever blisters or herpes labialis), and treating, suppressing, or reducing transmission of genital herpes in patients with normal immune systems. It is also used to treat chickenpox in children and teenagers. It is also used to suppress genital herpes in patients with HIV infection.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with Valtrex 500mg. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking medicines that may harm the kidney (eg, aminoglycoside antibiotics [eg, gentamicin], amphotericin B, cyclosporine, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs [NSAIDs] [eg, ibuprofen], tacrolimus, vancomycin). Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines might harm the kidney. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including HIV or AIDS; kidney problems; dehydration; pregnancy; allergies; or breast-feeding. Tell your doctor if you have had a bone marrow or kidney transplant. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using Valtrex 500mg.
Follow the directions for taking Valtrex 500mg provided by your doctor. TAKE VALTREX 500mg with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. DRINKING EXTRA FLUIDS while you are taking Valtrex 500mg is recommended. Check with your doctor for instructions. STORE VALTREX 500mg between 59 and 77 degrees F (15 and 25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. TO TREAT COLD SORES, CHICKENPOX, SHINGLES, OR GENITAL HERPES, start treatment as soon as possible after your symptoms start. IF TREATING AN ACUTE OUTBREAK, use Valtrex 500mg for the full course of treatment. Keep using it even if you feel better in a few days. FOR SUPPRESSIVE THERAPY, Valtrex 500mg works best if it is taken at the same time each day. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF VALTREX 500mg, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT USE VALTREX 500mg IF you are allergic to any ingredient in Valtrex 500mg or to acyclovir. LAB TESTS, including complete blood cell counts, kidney function, and liver function, may be performed to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Keep all doctor and lab appointments while you are taking Valtrex 500mg. VALTREX 500mg MAY CAUSE DIZZINESS. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Valtrex 500mg with caution. DO NOT DRIVE OR PERFORM OTHER POSSIBLY UNSAFE TASKS until you know how you react to it. VALTREX 500mg IS NOT A CURE FOR HERPES. Remain under the care of your doctor. SAFER SEX PRACTICES can lower the chances of passing genital herpes to your partner. Do NOT have sexual contact with your partner when you have any symptoms or outbreak of genital herpes. USE A CONDOM made of latex or polyurethane whenever you have sexual contact. VALTREX 500mg HAS NOT BEEN SHOWN TO DECREASE THE RISK of passing other sexually transmitted infections to your partner. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. Use Valtrex 500mg with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially kidney and nervous system problems. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU THINK YOU MAY BE PREGNANT, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Valtrex 500mg while you are pregnant. VALTREX 500mg IS FOUND in breast milk. IF YOU ARE OR WILL BE BREAST-FEEDING while you use Valtrex 500mg, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking Valtrex 500mg include dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; or vomiting. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience agitation; aggressive behavior; bloody or dark urine; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; depression; fatigue; fever; hallucinations; joint pain; lower back pain; pale skin; painful menstrual periods; pinpoint bruises; seizures; severe abdominal pain; severe or persistent headache; shaky movements; speech problems; swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body; unsteady movement; unusual bruising or bleeding; weakness; or yellowing of the skin or eyes. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to Valtrex 500mg is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions for Valtrex
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE VALTREX 500mg with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE VALTREX 500mg for other health conditions. KEEP VALTREX 500mg out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING VALTREX 500mg FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.
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