VALACYCLOVIR

(val a SYE kloe veer) Brand: Valtrex

What is the most significant information I must know about valacyclovir?

• Till taking valacyclovir, speak your doctor if you have HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system, kidney malady (or if you are on dialysis), or if you have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant.

• Valacyclovir can be deleterious to the kidneys, and these effects are heighten when it is used together with another medicines that can harm the kidneys. Speak your doctor about all another medications you are using. You may need doze adjustments or particular trials when taking determined medications together with valacyclovir.

• Treatment with valacyclovir must be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters).

• Herpes virus can be passed from an infected mother to her child during childbirth. If you have genital herpes, it is very significant to prevent herpes lesions during your pregnancy so that you do not have a genital lesion when your child is born.

• Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect another people even while you are taking with valacyclovir.

• Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor right away if you have any signs of a serious side effect that can harm red blood cells, such as: fever, light bruising or bleeding, red spots on the skin (not related to herpes or chickenpox), bloody diarrhea, vomiting, pale or yellowed skin, weakness, fainting, or urinating smaller than normal or not at all.

• Do not give valacyclovir to a baby unless it has been predesigned by a doctor.

What is valacyclovir?

• Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug. It slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus so that the body can fight off the infection. Valacyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection.

• Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses in adults and children. Illnesses caused by herpes viruses include genital herpes, cool sores, shingles, and chickenpox.

• Valacyclovir is used to treat cool sores in children who are at least 12 years old, and to treat chickenpox in children who are at least 2 years old.

• Valacyclovir may also be used for another purposes not listed in this medicine guide.

What must I discuss with my healthcare provider till taking valacyclovir?

• Do not take this medication if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir (Zovirax).

• If you have determined conditions, you may need a doze adjustment or particular trials to safely take this medicine. Till taking valacyclovir, speak your doctor if you have:

· HIV/AIDS, or another conditions that can weaken the immune system;

· kidney malady (or if you are on dialysis); or

· if you have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant.

• FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine is not expected to be deleterious to an unborn child. However, herpes virus can be passed from an infected mother to her child during childbirth. If you have genital herpes, it is very significant to prevent herpes lesions during your pregnancy so that you do not have a genital lesion when your child is born.

• Valacyclovir passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

• Do not give valacyclovir to a baby unless it has been predesigned by a doctor.

• Older adults may be more likely to have deleterious side effects while taking valacyclovir. Conversation to your doctor about your specific risk.

How must I take valacyclovir?

• Take this medicine exactly as it was predesigned for you. Do not take the medicine in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

• Treatment with valacyclovir must be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters). This medicine might not be as effective if you first start taking it 1 or 2 days after the start of your symptoms.

• Take every doze with a full glass of water. Drink plenty of water while you are taking valacyclovir to hold your kidneys working properly.

• Shake the oral suspension (liquid) well just till you measure a doze. To be certain you get the correct doze, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or medication cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.

• Valacyclovir can be taken with or without food.

• Take this medicine for the entire length of time predesigned by your doctor. Your symptoms may get better till the infection is completely treated. Valacyclovir will not treat a viral infection such as the general cool or flu.

• Lesions caused by herpes viruses must be kept as clean and dry as possible. Wearing loose clothing may help to prevent irritation of the lesions.

• Store valacyclovir tablets at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

• Store valacyclovir liquid in a refrigerator. Do not freeze. Throw away any unused valacyclovir that is older than 28 days.

What happens if I miss a dose?

• Take the missed doze as soon as you remember. If it is nearly time for your following doze, skip the missed doze and take the medication at the following regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medication to create up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

• Search abnormal medical attention if you think you have used too many of this medicine.

• Overdose symptoms may include urinating smaller than normal or not at all.

What must I avoid while taking valacyclovir?

• Valacyclovir will not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Herpes infections are contagious and you can infect another people even while you are taking with valacyclovir.

• Avoid sexual intercourse or use a latex condom to prevent spreading the virus to others. Avoid letting infected areas come into contact with another people. Avoid touching an infected area and then touching your eyes. Wash your hands frequently to prevent passing the infection to others.

What are the possible side effects of valacyclovir?

• Get abnormal medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your person, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor right away if you have any of the next signs of a serious side effect that can harm red blood cells:

· fever, light bruising or bleeding;

· red spots on the skin (not related to herpes or chickenpox);

· bloody diarrhea, vomiting;

· pale or yellowed skin;

· weakness or fainting; or

· urinating smaller than normal or not at all.

• Call your doctor at once if you have any of these another serious side effects:

· pain in your lower back;

· drowsiness, mood changes, heighten thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting;

· swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath;

· confusion, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, trouble concentrating;

· feeling shaky or unsteady;

· problems with speech or vision; or

· seizure (convulsions).

• Smaller serious side effects may include:

· nausea, stomach pain;

· headache, dizziness, weary feeling, depression;

· joint pain;

· menstrual pain;

· mild skin rash; or

· stuffy nose, sore throat.

• This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Speak your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may message side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What another drugs will affect valacyclovir?

• Valacyclovir can be deleterious to the kidneys, and these effects are heighten when it is used together with another medicines that can harm the kidneys. Till taking valacyclovir, speak your doctor if you are also using:

· lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

· methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexal);

· pain or arthritis medicines such as aspirin (Anacin, Excedrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others;

· medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, such as mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine);

· medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, such as sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf);

· IV antibiotics such as amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci-IM), capreomycin (Capastat), gentamicin (Garamycin), kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, or vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled);

· antiviral medicines such as adefovir (Hepsera), cidofovir (Vistide), or foscarnet (Foscavir); or

· cancer medication such as aldesleukin (Proleukin), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), or tretinoin (Vesanoid).

• This list is not complete and there may be another drugs that can interact with valacyclovir. Speak your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal commodity, and drugs predesigned by another doctors. Do not start a new medicine without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about valacyclovir.

Remember, hold this and all another medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medicine only for the indication prescribed.

Disclaim: Each 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 external 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 must be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safety, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the help 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.