Valacyclovir is an oral prescription medication that comes in the form of a tablet. It is available under the brand-name Valtrex and is also available as a generic drug. Generic drugs often cost less than the brand-name version. In this article we discuss the uses, dosage and side effects of valacyclovir.
Valacyclovir is a prescription drug used to treat herpes simplex virus infections. This includes oral and genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox.
Valacyclovir is part of a class of drugs called “antivirals.” A class of drugs is a group of medications that function in a similar way and are often used to treat similar conditions.
The herpes virus spreads throughout your body by replicating and creating more of its own cells. Valacyclovir doesn’t eliminate herpes from your body, but does make it harder for the herpes virus to multiply.
Valacyclovir does not cure herpes. The herpes virus can still live in your body after treatment. This drug does, however, help prevent flare ups and re-infection at a later date.
The main difference between the valacyclovir and acyclovir is that valacyclovir has more bioavailability and a longer duration than acyclovir. This means valacyclovir can be taken fewer times in a day than acyclovir and still have the same effect and potency.
Valacyclovir does have potential side effects—some more common and serious than others.
The most commonly reported side effects of valacyclovir include:
If these effects are mild, they may go away within a couples of days or a few weeks. If they’re more severe and don’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Contact your doctor right away if you are experiencing any serious side effects. Call 911 immediately if you think any of your symptoms are life-threatening.
Kidney failure symptoms:
Abnormal mood or behavior:
Disclaimer: Our goal at Cloud9 is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.
This medication comes with several warnings.
It is not recommended that you consume alcohol while taking valacyclovir. Doing so can produce an excessive, dangerous level of drowsiness.
Valacyclovir may cause severe allergic reactions. This can include:
If you experience any of these symptoms go to the nearest emergency room or contact 911 right away. If you have an allergic reaction while using valacyclovir do not take it again.
Kidney problems: Your kidneys excrete this drug from your body. If you have a history of kidney problems you may not be able to clear it from your body. Consequently, this can lead to a build up of this drug which can cause more side effects.
Advanced HIV or a history of transplant: Individuals with advanced HIV or a history of bone marrow or kidney transplant may be at a higher risk of developing certain blood disorders. If you have advanced HIV or a history of transplants speak with your doctor before beginning this medication.
Pregnant women: Valacyclovir is a category B pregnancy drug. This means two things:
For women who are breastfeeding: This medication can pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed.
For seniors: The kidneys of older adults may not work as well as younger adults kidneys do. This can cause your body to process drugs more slowly. As a result, a higher amount of a drug stays in your body for a longer time which raises your risk of experiencing side effects.
Your dosage of valacyclovir can depend on a few different things:
Generic: Valacyclovir
Brand-name: Valtrex
Ages 18-64 (Adult Dosage)
Ages 12-17 (Child Dosage)
Ages 0-11 (Child Dosage)
Valacyclovir has not been approved for use in children under 12 years of age.
Senior Dosage (Ages 65 Years and Older)
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of valacyclovir. This is because the kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to which can cause your body to process drugs more slowly.
Ages 18-64 (Adult Dosage)
Ages 0-17 (Child Dosage)
Valacyclovir has not been studied or approved for treatment of genital herpes in individuals younger than 18 years of age.
Ages 65 and Older (Senior Dosage)
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of valacyclovir. This is because the kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to which can cause your body to process drugs more slowly.
Ages 18-64 (Adult Dosage)
Ages 0-17 (Children Dosage)
Valacyclovir has not been approved for use in children under 18 years of age.
Ages 65 and Older (Senior Dosage)
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of valacyclovir. This is because the kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to which can cause your body to process drugs more slowly.
Ages 18-64 (Adult Dosage)
Ages 2-18 (Child Dosage)
Ages 0-1 (Child Dosage)
This drug has not been studied or approved for treatment of chickenpox in children younger than two years of age.
Senior dosage (ages 65 years and older)
Your doctor may start you on a lower dose of valacyclovir. This is because the kidneys of older adults may not work as well as they used to which can cause your body to process drugs more slowly.
Disclaimer: Our goal at Cloud9 is to provide you with the most relevant and current information. However, because drugs affect each person differently, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible side effects.
Valacyclovir is used for short-term treatment of oral herpes, genital herpes, shingles, or chickenpox. It’s used for long-term treatment to prevent genital herpes, and to treat genital herpes that recurs (comes back).
Take valacyclovir as prescribed. If you don’t, this drug can come with serious side effects.
Valacyclovir has a half life of 2.5 to 3.3 hours in people with normal renal function. This means that valacyclovir stay in your system for 2.5 to 3.3 hours for most people.
Valacyclovir is a prescription medication that comes in the form of a tablet you take by mouth. It is available under the brand-name Valtrex but is also available as a generic drug.
Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes simplex virus infections.
