Valtrex is a drug used to treat the herpes virus. It’s full name is Valacyclovir Hydrochloride. It can be used to treat genital herpes, coldsores, shingles and chickenpox, all of which are caused y the herpes virus.
To treat children with cold sores, the said child must be at least aged 12 years old, and for treating a child with chickenpox, he or she must be at least 2 years of age.
Valtrex can be harmful to people with the HIV/AIDS virus, kidney disease or a weak immune system or to those recently having had a kidney or bone marrow transplant. Valtrex can be particularly harmful to the kidneys.
This medicine should not be taken if you are allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir ( Zovirax).
Valtrex can be taken with a full glass of water, it can also be taken with food. Valtrex tablets should be stored at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store Valtrex liquid in a refrigerator. Do not freeze Valtrex. Any unused Valtrex should be thrown away if it becomes older than 28 days.
Valtrex does not make genital herpes any less contagious and people should refrain from having sexual intercourse – or use a condom to prevent the spread of the herpes.
Side effects of Valtrex can consist of:
vomiting, pale or yellowed skin, bloody diarrhea, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, urinating more frequently or less frequently than usual.
You should seek urgent information from your GP if you experience any of the following symptoms:
lower back pain, shortness of breath, gaining weight, swelling, fainting or weakness, trouble concentrating, hallucinations, aggression, agitation, issues with speech or vision and seizures.
The less serious side effects of Valtrex that may be experienced are:
stomach pain, nausea, menstrual pain, joint pain, depression, tired feeling, dizziness, headache, skin rash and a sore throat or stuffy nose.
Other side effects may also occur.
When in use at the same time as other medicines, Valtrex can be harmful to the kidneys. You should tell your doctor, prior to taking Valtrex if you are on any of the following medicines:
methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexal), arthritis or pain medicines such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) amongst others.
Cancer medicines from the following list – carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide (Ifex), oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozocin (Zanosar), tretinoin (Vesanoid) or aldesleukin (Proleukin).
General Practitioner. I worked in hospitals in Melbourne and Sydney.