Medications and Drugs
GENERIC NAME: VALACYCLOVIR - ORAL (val-uh-SYE-klo-veer)
BRAND NAME(S): Valtrex
Medication Uses | Other Uses | How To Use | Side Effects | Precautions | Drug Interactions | Overdose | Notes | Missed Dose | Storage
USES: Valacyclovir is used to treat cold sores (herpes labialis), shingles (herpes zoster). It is also used to treat genital herpes in patients with a normal immune system. Valacyclovir can also be used to control genital herpes outbreaks in all patients including those with HIV. This is also known as suppressive therapy. This medication helps control symptoms, but does not cure the disease. Valacyclovir belongs to a class of medications known as antivirals. If you are taking valacyclovir for treatment of genital herpes, to lower the chance of giving herpes to your partner, it is important to follow safe sex practices even if there are no symptoms present. Always use a condom made of latex or polyurethane. When you have symptoms or are experiencing an outbreak, do not have sexual contact with your partner.
OTHER USES: This medication may be used to prevent or treat other types of viral infections (cytomegalovirus) in certain patient populations.
HOW TO USE: Read the Patient Information Leaflet available from your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. Take valacyclovir by mouth, as directed by your doctor, with or without food. When taking this medication to treat an outbreak, it works best if you take this medication when you first notice an outbreak is starting. The medication may not work as well if you wait more than 72 hours to start it. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. When treating an outbreak, continue to take this medication until the full-prescribed amount is finished even if symptoms disappear. When using this drug to suppress/control outbreaks, take exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not skip doses or stop taking this without your doctor's approval. Stopping therapy too soon may result in ineffective treatment. If using this medication to treat an outbreak, inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
- Drug Interactions - Learn about potential drug interactions you may be exposed to. Drug interactions can occur with prescription drugs, OTC medication, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
- Shingles - Read about shingles symptoms (contagious rash), vaccine, causes (chickenpox [varicella] virus, stress), treatment, how it's transmitted and postherpetic neuralgia.
- acyclovir, Zovirax - Explains the medication acyclovir (Zovirax), a drug used to treat initial genital herpes infections and to treat patients with recurrent severe genital herpes.
Latest Medical News
Back to Medications Index
Interactive Slideshows