Valtrex Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Valtrex Tablet (valacyclovir) is a prescription antiviral medicine that slows the growth and spread of herpes viruses, giving the body a chance to fight the infection. It does not cure the infection. It is used to treat genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, chickenpox, and certain other herpes-related conditions, and is taken exactly as prescribed, starting as soon as symptoms appear.

What is Valtrex Tablet

Valtrex is a prescription antiviral medicine that slows the growth and spread of herpes viruses so the body can fight the infection. It does not cure the infection. Its generic name is valacyclovir (valaciclovir), and it belongs to the purine nucleosides drug class (nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor).

Valtrex Tablet uses

• Treating genital herpes (initial and recurrent episodes) in adults
• Suppressive therapy to reduce recurrent genital herpes outbreaks
• Reducing the risk of spreading genital herpes to a partner when used with safer sex practices
• Treating cold sores (herpes labialis) in adults and in children aged 12 years and older
• Treating shingles (herpes zoster) in adults
• Treating chickenpox in children aged 2 to less than 18 years
• Preventing CMV infection after organ transplants
• Treating and preventing recurrent HSV infections of the eye

Benefits of Valtrex Tablet

• Can lessen the symptoms of a herpes infection
• May shorten the length of a cold sore or genital herpes outbreak when started early
• Can help control and reduce the number of genital herpes recurrences
• Used with safer sex practices, can lower the chance of passing genital herpes to a partner

How Valtrex Tablet works

Valtrex is changed in the body into acyclovir, which blocks an enzyme the herpes virus needs to copy its DNA, so the virus cannot multiply as effectively.

Valtrex Tablet dosage

Take exactly as prescribed and follow the directions on your prescription label; do not take more or less than recommended or for longer than recommended. Start taking this medicine as soon as possible after your first symptoms appear, such as tingling, itching, or burning; it may not work as well if started too late. Take the full course of treatment even if your symptoms improve before finishing, since skipping doses may increase the risk of the virus resisting the medicine.

Can be taken with or without food. Swallow tablets whole with a drink of water; tell your doctor if a child cannot swallow the tablet. Drink plenty of water while taking this medicine to help protect your kidneys. Keep herpes lesions as clean and dry as possible, and wear loose clothing to reduce irritation.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but skip it if it is almost time for your next dose; do not double up doses. Do not share this medicine with anyone else, even if they have similar symptoms.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablets (caplets)
• Oral suspension (liquid, prepared from tablets)

Side effects of Valtrex Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach (abdominal) pain
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Skin reaction after sun exposure (photosensitivity)
• Rash
• Itching

Serious

• Signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• A painful rash with blisters or sores in the mouth, or blistering or peeling skin
• Confusion, aggression, feeling shaky or unsteady
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not real)
• Problems with speech
• Seizures (convulsions)
• Kidney problems: little or no urination, painful or difficult urination, swelling in feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath
• Signs of a blood disorder: fever, pale skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or pink urine, red spots on the skin not related to herpes or chickenpox, feeling weak or tired, bloody diarrhea, swelling in the face, hands, or feet

Warnings and precautions

• Pregnancy: Valtrex is not usually recommended during pregnancy. 
• There is limited evidence about its safety, so talk to your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
• Breastfeeding: This medicine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby, so tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
• Kidney: People with kidney disease, including those on dialysis, need special care and may need a lower dose because this medicine can affect the kidneys.
• Liver: Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have liver problems before taking this medicine.
• Driving: This medicine can cause side effects that affect your ability to drive or use machinery, so do not drive until you know how it affects you.
• Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you have HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system, 
• kidney disease, are on dialysis, or have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant, since these increase the risk of serious side effects.
• This medicine can harm the kidneys, and the risk is higher when combined with other medicines that can also harm the kidneys.
• Start treatment as soon as possible after symptoms first appear, such as tingling, burning, or blisters.
• This medicine does not stop you from spreading genital herpes to others, even while you are taking it, so continue to use safer sex practices.
• A rare but serious blood disorder (TTP/HUS), which can be fatal, has occurred in patients with advanced HIV disease and in bone marrow or kidney transplant patients taking high doses of this medicine.
• Acute kidney failure can occur, especially in elderly patients, those with existing kidney disease, those taking other kidney-harming drugs, or those who are not drinking enough fluids.
• Nervous system problems such as agitation, confusion, hallucinations, or seizures can occur, especially in elderly patients or those with kidney problems.

Storage

• Store Valtrex tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
• Store valacyclovir liquid (suspension) in a refrigerator. Throw away any unused liquid after 28 days. Shake the bottle well before each use.
• Store below 30°C in a cool, dry place out of sight and reach of children.
• Do not use after the expiry date, referring to the last day of the month stated on the packaging.
• Do not throw away any medicines via wastewater or household waste.

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency medical help right away if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Stop taking this medicine and get medical help right away if you develop a painful rash with blisters or sores in your mouth, or blistering or peeling skin.
• Call your doctor right away if you have confusion, aggression, feel shaky or unsteady, have hallucinations, speech problems, or a seizure.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of kidney problems, such as little or no urination, painful urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, or feeling tired or short of breath.
• Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you notice signs of a serious blood problem, such as fever, pale skin, unusual bleeding or bruising, red or pink urine, red spots on the skin unrelated to your infection, weakness, stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, or swelling in your face, hands, or feet.
• Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have taken too much of this medicine.

Alternatives

• Zovirax (acyclovir)
• Famvir (famciclovir)
• Famciclovir