Drug Name
Valtrex (Valacyclovir)
Drug Uses
Valtrex is commonly applied in treating shingles, cold sores as well as genital herpes in those patients with normal immunity. Furthermore this drug is also used to treat genital herpes in those patients suffering from the HIV infection.
How to use
Take the medication only according to your doctor prescriptions. Read the information on the package to define the proper dosage.
- The medication should be taken orally throughout the meal as well as before or after it. However take the medication with the food in case you experience stomach upset.
- It is also advised to drink a lot of fluids throughout the medication therapy period. However in case you are not sure what to do contact your doctor.
- In case you experience certain symptoms of such diseases as clod sores, shingles or genital herpes it is quite important to start the therapy period as soon as it possible.
- Do not stop therapy period until it ends even in case your condition improved considerably.
- In case you use the medication for suppressive therapy then it is advised to use the drug at the same time everyday.
Drug Class and Mechanism
Valtrex relates to the antiviral drugs therefore its work implies the stop of the viral replication. But the medication will not kill the virus itself. In case the medication is used in suppressive therapy in those patients with normal immunity but experiencing genital herpes the effect of the drug leads to the decreased possibility of the infections spreading.
Missed Dose
In case you have forgotten to take the medication then you should take it at the time you have remembered about it. However don’t take the medication in case it is the time for your next dosage and follow your regular schedule. Avoid taking two dosages at once.
Storage
Keep the medication at the temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). However it is also allowed to keep the medication at the temperature between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) for a short period of time. The drug should be kept in a cool, dry and dark place beyond the reach of the children and the pets. Avoid keeping the drug in the bathroom.
Warnings/Precautions
Avoid using the medication in case:
- you experience allergic reaction to any of the drug components.
In case any of the above mentioned points as actual to you then contact your doctor for further instructions.
The medication may come into interaction with certain medical conditions. Thus in case you experience any medical conditions (especially those mentioned below) contact your doctor:
- In case you are at the pregnancy or breast-feeding period or you are going to become pregnant.
- In case you are using any other medication, herbal or dietary supplement.
- In case you experience certain allergic reactions to any drugs or other substances.
- In case you have experienced the bone marrow as well as kidney transplant.
- In case you are experiencing HIV or AIDS.
- In case experience any kidney disorders.
Certain drugs may come into interaction with the Valtrex, however there are no specific interactions known for today.
Possible Side Effects
Contact your doctor in case you experiencing any of the following side effects:
- diarrhea; dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.
Contact your doctor immediately in case you have any of the side effects below:
- severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); aggressive behavior; bloody or dark urine; confusion; fever; hallucinations; pale skin; pinpoint bruises; seizures; shaky movements; speech problems; unsteady movement; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.
More Information
Contact you doctor in case you are not sure how to take it. This medication should be taken only by those patients with corresponding prescription. Avoid giving the drug to anyone else. Contact you doctor in case your condition doesn’t improve or becomes worse.
