Drug Uses

Valtrex is a medicine used to treat herpes zoster, genital herpes in immunocompetent individuals, recurrent genital herpes in HIV-infected individuals, and cold sores.

How Taken

Valtrex is in the form of a tablet and is taken orally. If you use it to treat shingles, the common dosage is three tablets a day every 8 hours for a period of 7 days. If you use Valtrex for treatment of genital herpes, it should be taken twice a day for a period of 5 days. The treatment of cold sores lasts only one day. Start using Valtrex as soon as you experience symptoms. Do not take less or more pills, and do not take the medicine more often than your doctor has prescribed. Do not stop using the medicine even if you feel well without a consultation with your doctor.

Warnings/Precautions

Consult your doctor before using Valtrex if you are allergic to acyclovir (Zovirax). Inform your doctor in case you have kidney disease or immune system problems. Your dose may have to be adjusted, or you may have to be monitored regularly during the treatment. Valtrex falls into the FDA pregnancy category B which means that the medicine is not expected to harm a fetus. Consult your doctor before taking Valtrex if you are breast feeding because it is not clear if the medicine passes into breast milk.

Missed Dose

In case you miss a dose, take the drug as soon as you remember. If it is already time for your next dose, skip the missed one and take the scheduled one. Do no take a double dose.

Possible Side Effects

Valtrex may cause kidney failure or problems with the nervous systems in some patience. The nervous system problems include aggressive behavior, unsteady movement, shaky movements, confusion, speech problems, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are really not there), seizures, and coma. Inform your doctor if you have kidney problems. Consult your doctor immediately if you experience any problems of the nervous system. The most common side effects caused by Valtrex are headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Patients infected with HIV may experience headache, tiredness, and rash. Other side effects are painful menstruation 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 stored at a temperature of 15° to 25°C (59° to 77°F) in a tightly closed container. Do not use it after the expiration date. Keep away from children.

Overdose

If you suspect an overdose, immediately search for medical help. The symptoms of an overdose of Valtrez are not known but an overdose of acyclovir which is a similar medicine causes seizures, hallucinations, and kidney damage (decreased urine production).

More Information

You can infect other people even during the treatment so do not let the infected areas to contact with other people. Wash your hands to avoid transmission of the infection. Avoid sexual intercourse during the treatment or use condoms to prevent the transmission of the virus.

Disclaimer

These instructions are for your information only. Be aware that the directions don't cover all uses, medicine interactions, precautions, or unfavorable effects. These prescriptions are only informative and shouldn't be relied on for any further actions. Don't accept the instructions as directions for application for any specific complaint. We deny all responsibility for the preciseness and trustiness of the information displayed and/or any results proceeding from it inclusive of harms or undesirable consequences to people or possessions if such occur. No warranty, either expressed or referred to, is made in connection to the above information.