Pronunciation: val a SYE kloe veer
Brand: Valtrex
500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with 93, 7258
1 g, oblong, blue, imprinted with 93, 7259
1 g, oblong, blue, imprinted with VALTREX 1 gram
500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with VALTREX 500 mg
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with WPI, 3248
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with WPI, 3249
500 mg, oval, blue, imprinted with V.5
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with RX904
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with RX905
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with F 82
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with F, 8 3
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with F 82
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with F, 8 3
500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with RX904
1 g, oblong, blue, imprinted with RX905
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with F 82
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with F, 8 3
1 g, oval, white, imprinted with 54518
1 g, capsule, blue, imprinted with CIPLA, 154
1 g, oblong, blue, imprinted with F, 8 3
1 g, oblong, white, imprinted with M123
500 mg, capsule, blue, imprinted with CIPLA, 153
500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with F 82
500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with M122
500 mg, oval, white, imprinted with 54366
1 g, oblong, blue, imprinted with VALTREX 1 gram
500 mg, oblong, blue, imprinted with VALTREX 500 mg
Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine that is used to treat or prevent herpes virus episodes, including genital herpes or shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.
Valacyclovir is used to reduce the chance that an adult with genital herpes will pass this virus to an uninfected sex partner.
Valacyclovir is also used to treat cold sores in adults and children at least 12 years old, or chickenpox in children 2 to 18 years old.
There is no cure for herpes and valacyclovir will not prevent you from developing symptoms in the future. If you have genital herpes, your sex partner may be infected even if they have no symptoms. A medical test is the only way to accurately diagnose genital herpes.
Valacyclovir may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax).
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Herpes can be passed to your baby during childbirth if you have a genital lesion when your baby is born. If you have genital herpes, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy. Take your medicine as directed to best control your infection.
It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.
Do not give this medicine to a child without medical advice.
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Start taking valacyclovir as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters, or rash). This medicine may not be effective if taken after you already have symptoms.
You may take valacyclovir with or without food.
Tell your doctor if a child taking this medicine cannot swallow the valacyclovir tablet.
Your pharmacist may prepare an oral suspension (liquid) form of valacyclovir. Shake this suspension before you measure a dose. Use the dosing syringe provided, or use a medicine dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Lesions caused by herpes viruses should be kept as clean and dry as possible. Wearing loose clothing may help to prevent irritation of the lesions.
Some herpes infections need to be treated for longer than others. You may need to take the medicine for only 1 day or for just a few days. To prevent recurrent genital herpes, you may need to take valacyclovir for up to 1 year. Use this medicine for the full prescribed length of time, even if your symptoms quickly improve.
Follow your doctor's dosing instructions very carefully. Taking more valacyclovir than prescribed will not make this medicine more effective.
Drink plenty of water while you are taking valacyclovir to keep your kidneys working properly.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Store the oral suspension in a refrigerator and throw away suspension any left over after 28 days of use.
Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to help keep you from spreading the herpes virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with other people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent the spread of infection.
Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases other than the virus that causes genital herpes.
Do not share this medicine with another person, even if they have the same symptoms you have.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
Serious side effects may be more likely in adults who are 65 or older.
Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor right away if you have any of the following signs of a serious side effect that can harm red blood cells:
Common side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Valacyclovir can harm your kidneys, especially if you also use certain medicines for infections, cancer, osteoporosis, organ transplant rejection, bowel disorders, or pain or arthritis (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).
Other drugs may affect valacyclovir, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2021 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 12.01. Revision date: 2/25/2020.
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