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VALTREX
VALTREX ONLINE
Before Using This Medicine
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine
must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision
you and your doctor will make. For valacyclovir, the following
should be considered:
Allergies—Tell your doctor if you have ever
had any unusual or allergic reaction to valacyclovir or acyclovir.
Also tell your health care professional if you are allergic to any
other substances, such as foods, sulfites or other preservatives,
or dyes.
Pregnancy—Adequate and well-controlled
studies in humans have not been done with valacyclovir or
acyclovir. However, acyclovir has been used in pregnant women and
has not been reported to cause birth defects or other problems.
Breast-feeding—It is not known whether
valacyclovir passes into breast milk. However, acyclovir does pass
into breast milk but has not been reported to cause problems in
nursing babies.
Children—Studies on this medicine have been
done only in adult patients. There is no specific information
comparing use of valacyclovir in children with use in other age
groups.
Older adults—Valacyclovir has been used in
elderly patients and has not been shown to cause different side
effects or problems in older people than it does in younger
adults. Elderly patients are at a high risk for dehydration and
should drink plenty of fluids.
Other medicines—Although certain medicines
should not be used together at all, in other cases two different
medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur.
In these cases, your doctor may want to change your dose or other
precautions may be necessary. Tell your health care professional
if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription
(over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Proper Use of This Medicine
Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 48 hours after
the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (for
example, pain, burning, or blisters) begin to appear. For
recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes, valacyclovir works best if
it is used within 24 hours after the symptoms begin to appear.
Valacyclovir may be taken with meals.
Keep taking valacyclovir for the full time of treatment ,
even if your symptoms begin to clear up after a few days. Do
not miss any doses. However, do not use this medicine
more often or for a longer time than your doctor ordered.
Dosing—
The dose of valacyclovir will be different for different
patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the
label. The following information includes only the average
doses of valacyclovir. Your dose may be different if you have
kidney disease. If your dose is different, do not change it
unless your doctor tells you to do so.
 | For oral dosage form (tablets):
| For treatment of genital herpes, first outbreak:
| Adults—1 gram two times a day for ten days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| For treatment of genital herpes, recurrent outbreaks:
| Adults—500 milligrams (mg) two times a day for
three days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| To prevent recurrent outbreaks of genital herpes:
| Adults—500 mg or 1 gram once a day.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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| For treatment of shingles:
| Adults—1 gram three times a day for seven days.
| Children—Use and dose must be determined by your
doctor. |
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Missed dose—
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as
possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do
not double doses.
Storage—
To store this medicine:
| Keep out of the reach of children.
| Store away from heat and direct light.
| Do not store the tablets in the bathroom, near the kitchen
sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the
medicine to break down.
| Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of
children. |
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Precautions While Using This Medicine
If your symptoms do not improve within a few days, or if they
become worse, check with your doctor.
The areas affected by genital herpes or shingles should be kept
as clean and dry as possible. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing to
avoid irritating the sores (blisters).
Side Effects of This Medicine
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some
unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may
occur, if they do they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following
side effect occurs:
| Less common
| Painful menstruation, including abdominal cramps,
diarrhea, or nausea |
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| Rare
| Black, tarry stools; chest pain; chills;
cough; decreased frequency/output of urine;
fever; flu-like symptoms; headache;
lower back/side pain; reduced mental alertness;
shortness of breath; unusual tiredness; yellow
eyes or skin |
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| Frequency not determined
| Back, leg or stomach pains; changes in behavior,
especially in interactions with other people;
difficulty breathing or swallowing; fast, pounding,
or irregular heartbeat; high blood pressure;
itching; lightheadedness when getting up from a
lying or sitting position; redness of skin ;
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there;
skin rash; swelling or puffiness of face, hands,
legs, or feet; wheezing |
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| Symptoms of overdose with intravenous acyclovir
Because the information on valacyclovir overdose is
limited, information on intravenous acyclovir overdose is
provided. In the body, valacyclovir is converted into
acyclovir.
| Anxiety; convulsions (seizures); decrease in
urine output; decreased frequency of urination;
dry mouth; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or
feeling things that are not there); irritability;
loss of consciousness ; lower back/side pain;
nervousness; restlessness |
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Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical
attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your
body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if
any of these side effects continue or are bothersome:
| More common
| Headache; nausea |
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| Less common
| Constipation; diarrhea; dizziness;
joint pain; loss of appetite; stomach pain;
unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting |
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| Frequency not determined
| Anxiety; dry mouth; irritability; mood
or mental changes; nervousness; restlessness |
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Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some
patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
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