what are the side effects of valtrex

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Will Valtrex side effects go away?

Some side effects of valacyclovir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

What is the most common side effect of Valtrex?

The more common side effects of valacyclovir can include: headache. nausea. vomiting.

Can Valtrex cause problems?

Valtrex can cause nervous system problems. Reactions can include agitation, hallucinations, seizures, confusion, speech problems, and aggressive behavior. Nervous system problems are more likely to occur in older adults and/or people with kidney problems.

What does Valtrex do in the body?

What is Valtrex? Valtrex is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the infection. Valtrex is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, including genital herpes, cold sores, and shingles (herpes zoster) in adults.

What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?

What drugs and food should I avoid while taking Valtrex (Valacyclovir)? 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.

How long does it take Valtrex to clear up an outbreak?

For most initial herpes outbreaks and cases of recurring herpes, valacyclovir takes effect very quickly and provides some level of relief in as little as two to three days. Generally, the sooner you take valacyclovir after noticing symptoms, the faster it will be to provide relief.

How long can you stay on valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir is usually prescribed for seven days for shingles, with a typical dosage of 1,000 mg three times per day. Just like with HSV-1 and HSV-2, it's important to start treatment as soon as you notice shingles symptoms.

Is Valtrex hard on your kidneys?

Background: Drug-related acute kidney disease is a common side effect of valacyclovir (VACV) treatment.

Does Valtrex cause weight gain?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) and other antiviral medications can only treat the symptoms associated with herpes infections and shorten outbreaks. Does Valtrex (valacyclovir) make you gain weight? Weight changes are not commonly reported with the use of Valtrex (valacyclovir).

How long can you take Valtrex for suppressive therapy?

Currently, there appears to be little physical harm in taking valacyclovir every day for more than a year in healthy patients (35–37). In patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), there are no data on the safety of therapy lasting more than 6 months (40).

How long can you stay on valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir is usually prescribed for seven days for shingles, with a typical dosage of 1,000 mg three times per day. Just like with HSV-1 and HSV-2, it's important to start treatment as soon as you notice shingles symptoms.

Do you have to take valacyclovir everyday for the rest of life?

Valacyclovir is an oral tablet that only needs to be taken twice daily, compared to five times daily for acyclovir. This makes it more convenient for people to take. Treatment may last from one to 14 days depending on the condition being treated and the immunocompetency of the person being treated.

What are the most common adverse reactions to Valtrex?

The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 1 indication by greater than 10% of adult subjects treated with VALTREX and observed more frequently with VALTREX compared with placebo are headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. The only adverse reaction reported in greater than 10% of pediatric subjects aged less than 18 years was headache.

How long does Valtrex last?

The remaining 112 pediatric subjects, aged 1 month to less than 12 years, participated in 3 pharmacokinetic and safety trials and received valacyclovir oral suspension. Fifty-one of these 112 pediatric subjects received oral suspension for 3 to 6 days. The frequency, intensity, and nature of clinical adverse reactions and laboratory abnormalities were similar to those seen in adults.

What is Valtrex used for?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat infections with: and herpes labialis ( cold sores ). Valtrex is available in generic form. Side effects of Valtrex include: or sore throat. The dose of Valtrex depends on the condition being treated.

What are the adverse events in a pharmacokinetic study?

Adverse events reported in more than 1 subject across the 3 pharmacokinetic and safety trials in children aged 1 month to less than 12 years were diarrhea (5%), pyrexia (4%), dehydration (2%), herpes simplex (2%), and rhinorrhea (2%). No clinically meaningful changes in laboratory values were observed.

How long does Valacyclovir suspension last?

Fifty-one of these 112 pediatric subjects received oral suspension for 3 to 6 days.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

red or pink urine, little or no urination; purple or red spots on the skin (not related to herpes or chickenpox); feeling weak or tired; stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, vomiting; or. swelling in your face, hands, or feet. Common side effects may include: nausea, stomach pain; or. headache.

Can Valtrex cause a sore throat?

vomiting, stomach pain, joint pain, menstrual pain, skin rash, stuffy nose, or sore throat. The dose of Valtrex depends on the condition being treated. Valtrex is taken as caplets that may be taken with or without food.

Is Valtrex safe to take?

Valtrex is a fairly safe medication with few highly dangerous side effects as noted in current research. Yet Valtrex reports do seem to agree that Valtrex has a fairly high degree of "mild" side effects that occur in a larger percentage of the population than many other medications.

Does Valtrex cause impotence?

According to some studies, Valtrex has been linked to sexual side effects (including impotency) and depression. Many websites report both of these conditions as affecting anywhere between 1% and 7% of those taking Valtrex.

Why do doctors prescribe Valtrex during pregnancy?

Doctors sometimes prescribe Valtrex during pregnancy if they believe there is a risk of an outbreak during labor, in order to prevent passing herpes to the baby.

Can alcohol cause side effects of Valtrex?

Alcohol may worsen side effects from Valtrex . You may be more likely to feel nauseous, sick, or drowsy. You can read a breakdown of drinking while taking Valtrex here.

Does Valtrex cause delirium?

Valtrex has been linked to reports of dizziness, hallucinations, agitation, confusion, delirium, seizures, and encephalopathy in some patients. These adverse reactions are more likely to occur in elderly patients.

Can you take Valtrex for forever?

It’s generally agreed that no one should take Valtrex forever, especially not in high doses.

Does Valtrex help with herpes?

Valtrex is an effective antiviral medication for herpes viruses. Valtrex can stop outbreaks if taken right away, or even reduce their occurrence if taken daily.

Can Valtrex be taken daily?

Valtrex can clear up an active herpes outbreak if taken early enough. Some people take Valtrex daily to prevent outbreaks, which is called daily suppressive therapy. You can still infect others if you are on Valtrex.

Is Valtrex a bad drug?

Valtrex may be a poor option for patients with other conditions. Valtrex can cause moderate to severe complications for people with the following conditions (8):

How long does Valtrex last?

Sixty-five of these pediatric subjects, aged 12 to less than 18 years, received oral tablets for 1 to 2 days for treatment of cold sores.

How long does Valacyclovir suspension last?

Fifty-one of these 112 pediatric subjects received oral suspension for 3 to 6 days.

What are the adverse events in a pharmacokinetic study?

Adverse events reported in more than 1 subject across the 3 pharmacokinetic and safety trials in children aged 1 month to less than 12 years were diarrhea (5%), pyrexia (4%), dehydration (2%), herpes simplex (2%), and rhinorrhea (2%). No clinically meaningful changes in laboratory values were observed.

Does Valtrex cause nausea?

Central Nervous System Effects. The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 1 indication by greater than 10% of adult subjects treated with Valtrex and observed more frequently with Valtrex compared with placebo are headache, nausea, and abdominal pain.

How to report side effects of prescription drugs?

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.

Can you take Valtrex while pregnant?

Valtrex should only be used during pregnancy when the benefits to the mother outweigh risks to the fetus. It is unknown if Valtrex is excreted into breast milk. Among women taking acyclovir, concentrations of acyclovir in breast milk are about four times higher than in the mother's blood.

Does Valtrex affect kidneys?

Drug interactions of Valtrex include: probenecid and cimetidine, which may reduce the kidney's clearance of Valtrex, leading to higher concentrations in the blood. This may lead to side effects of Valtrex. There has been no adequate evaluation of Valtrex in pregnant women. The incidence of birth defects in women taking acyclovir is about ...

What happens if you are allergic to Valtrex?

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Valtrex: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

What other drugs will affect Valtrex?

This risk may increase when you also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals, chemotherapy, certain antibiotics, medicine for bowel disorders, medicine for high blood pressure, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, injectable osteoporosis medication, and some pain or arthritis medicines (including Advil, Motrin, and Aleve). Ask your pharmacist if you are concerned you are taking other medications that may harm your kidneys.

What is Valtrex?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the infection.

How should I take Valtrex?

Take Valtrex exactly as it was prescribed for you. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

How to keep your kidneys working properly while taking Valtrex?

Drink plenty of water while you are taking Valtrex to keep your kidneys working properly. 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. Store Valtrex tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

How to store Valtrex tablets?

Store Valtrex tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

How soon after a tingling sensation can you take Valtrex?

This medicine might not be as effective if you first start taking it 1 or 2 days after the start of your symptoms.

How long does it take for Valacyclovir to work?

Valacyclovir works best if it is used within 48 hours after the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (e.g., 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.

What is Valacyclovir used for?

Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes virus infections, including herpes labialis (also known as cold sores), herpes zoster (also known as shingles), and herpes simplex (also known as genital herpes) in adults. It is also used to treat chickenpox and cold sores in children.

Does Valacyclovir help with shingles?

In your body, valacyclovir becomes the anti-herpes medicine, acyclovir. Although valacyclovir will not cure shing les or genital herpes, it does help relieve the pain and discomfort and helps the sores heal faster.

Is Valacyclovir available with a prescription?

Valacyclovir is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Can valacyclovir be used in elderly?

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of valacyclovir in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney disease, which may require an adjustment in the dose of patients receiving valacyclovir.

What are the side effects of Valacyclovir?

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking valacyclovir: More common. Discouragement. feeling sad or empty. irritability. lack of appetite. loss of interest or pleasure.

What are the side effects of a sulfate based sulfate based s?

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin. hair loss or thinning of the hair. hives or welts. increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight. red, irritated eyes. redness or other discoloration of the skin. severe sunburn. Managing side effects (general information)

What are the side effects of a syringe?

The most common side effects reported were headache, nausea, and abdominal pain. [ Ref]

Does Valacyclovir need immediate medical attention?

Side effects not requiring immediate medical attention. Some side effects of valacyclovir may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine.

What are the side effects of a syringe?

unusual behavior. unusual bleeding or bruising. unusual tiredness or weakness. upper right abdominal pain. vomiting. weight gain. wheezing. Some 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.

Can medicine cause side effects?

Side Effects. Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur: