Valtrex

 Category: Other

Generic name: Valacyclovir

Valtrex tablets

What is Valtrex?

Valtrex is an antiviral medication used to treat the herpes viruses and other medical conditions as determined by a doctor.

Drug Uses

Valtrex cannot cure herpes but it can reduce the spread of the virus and relieve the painful symptoms. Herpes viruses include cold sores, genital herpes, shingles and chicken pox. Valtrex may be used to treat cold sores in children over the age of 12 years, and to treat chicken pox in children who are over the age of two years.

Dosage

Always use Valtrex as prescribed by a doctor. Never increase or decrease a dose without consulting your doctor. Valtrex does not have to be taken with food.

SHINGLES: The usual dose is 1g taken three times a day for seven days.

GENITAL HERPES: The usual dose for the first outbreak is 1g twice a day for 10 days. For later outbreaks the usual dose is 500mg twice a day for three days. To prevent further outbreaks the usual dose is 1g a day. If you have had less than 10 outbreaks in a year, your doctor may prescribe 500mg a day. The safety and effectiveness of treatment for longer than a year has not been established.

Elderly people and people with liver or kidney problems, as well as those who are HIV-positive may need a reduced dosage.

COLD SORES: The recommended dose is 2g twice a day for one day, taken 12 hours apart.

If you are using Valtrex for shingles, start treatment as soon as possible. For best results treatment should start within 48 hours of symptoms appearing (rash, burning, tingling, itching). If treatment starts later than 72 hours after symptoms appear there is a possibility that Valtrex will not be effective.

If you are using Valtrex for genital herpes, treatment should begin at the first sign of an outbreak. If treatment starts later than 72 hours after the first outbreak, or later than 24 hours after further outbreaks, Valtrex may not be effective.

If you are using Valtrex for cold sores, treatment should start as soon as symptoms appear (burning, itching or tingling on the lips, face or mouth). If cold sores are not treated quickly, Valtrex may not be effective.

Precautions

Valtrex should not be used by anyone who has a weak immune system, or patients who have undergone bone marrow or kidney transplants.

Women who are pregnant, or planning to become pregnant, or breast-feeding, should inform their doctors as it has not yet been established if Valtrex can harm an unborn fetus or if Valtrex is passed into breast milk.

Missed Dose

If a dose is missed, it can be taken as soon as you remember, as long as it does not clash with the next scheduled dose. In this case, rather skip the missed dose. Never take a double dose.

Storage

Valtrex should be stored in a cool, dry place away from sunlight or moisture.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, call for emergency assistance immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include kidney failure and behavioral disorders.