Valtrex
Valtrex is a medicine that helps fight viruses like cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes by stopping them from growing.
Form
tabletti, kalvopäällysteinen
Strength
250 mg
Active Ingredient
Valaciclovir hydrochloride
Manufacturer
GlaxoSmithKline Oy
How to Use
Dosage
Your doctor will tell you how much to take. The dose depends on what you are treating.
Method
Swallow the tablets whole with water. Take them by mouth at the same time each day.
Important
Do not take more than 8000 mg in one day, as directed by your doctor.
Possible Side Effects
COMMON
- •Headache
- •Nausea (feeling sick)
- •Dizziness
- •Vomiting
- •Diarrhea
- •Skin sensitivity to sunlight (get sunburned easily)
- •Rash
- •Itching
RARE
- •Confusion
- •Seeing or hearing things that are not real
- •Feeling very tired
- •Shaking (tremor)
- •Feeling agitated or restless
- •Shortness of breath
- •Stomach ache
- •Hives (itchy, lumpy rash)
- •Lower back pain (can be kidney pain)
- •Blood in urine
- •Decrease in white blood cells (shown in blood tests)
- •Decrease in blood platelets (shown in blood tests)
- •Increase in liver enzymes (shown in blood tests)
- •Unsteady walking or poor coordination
- •Slow, slurred speech
- •Seizures
- •Brain problems
- •Becoming unconscious (coma)
- •Confused or disturbed thoughts
- •Kidney problems, leading to little or no urination
- •Kidney inflammation
Important Warnings
- Do not take Valtrex if you are allergic to valaciclovir, aciclovir, or any other ingredients in this medicine.
- Stop taking Valtrex and call your doctor right away if you get a serious rash with fever and swollen glands, as this could be a rare but severe reaction (DRESS syndrome).
- Talk to your doctor before taking Valtrex if you have kidney or liver problems, are over 65 years old, or have a weak immune system.
- If you have genital herpes, always practice safe sex and use condoms. Do not have sex if you have any sores or blisters to prevent spreading the virus.
- Valtrex can make you dizzy or confused. Do not drive or use machines until you know how this medicine affects you.
Show 1 more warnings
- It is very important to drink plenty of water throughout the day while taking Valtrex to protect your kidneys and nervous system.
Use in Elderly Patients
Category A
Suitable for older adults. Reduce the dose and/or increase the dosing interval in severe renal impairment. (updated 4.12.2023)