Warnings & Recalls for Valtrex
Warning
The herpes virus is contagious. Valtrex does not prevent the spread of herpes from an infected person to others.Be sure to tell your doctor about the following
before taking
Valtrex:
- if you have liver or kidney disease, HIV/AIDs or other immune deficiency disorders, or any serious health conditions
- if you have ever been given a kidney or bone marrow transplant
- any medicines, vitamins, supplements or herbal products you may be using
- if you are planning to become pregnant, are pregnant or are currently breastfeeding
Valtrex and Kidney Disease
Valtrex may decrease kidney function, especially when combined with other drugs. When used along with other kidney damaging medications, Valtrex can be extremely dangerous. The following may be harmful to the kidneys:
- lithium
- methotrexate
- pain killers
- treatments for ulcerative colitis
- IV antibiotics
- drugs for preventing rejection of organ transplants
- antiviral medications
- cancer medicines
If you have a history of kidney disease or failure, your doctor may adjust your dose of Valtrex.
Valtrex and Pregnancy
Valtrex is an
FDA pregnancy Category B drug. When taken during pregnancy, Valtrex is
not known to cause
harm to the
fetus. Valtrex can be
passed through
breast-milk and may harm a nursing baby.
Talk to your doctor before using Valtrex if you are
pregnant,
planning on becoming pregnant or
are breastfeeding.If you have the herpes virus and are pregnant, be sure to
treat lesions before giving birth to
avoid passing the virus on to the
newborn.
Valtrex Treatment and Use
Valtrex | valacyclovir is an anti-viral class medication marketed by GlaxoSmithKline for treating illnesses caused by the herpes simplex virus. In 2003, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced recommendations to use Valtrex for reducing the spread of the herpes virus among heterosexual, monogamous couples.Valtrex may also be prescribed to patients for treating:
- genital herpes
- shingles (herpes zoster)
- cold sores
- chicken pox
Valtrex is not a cure for the herpes virus.
Valtrex should not be used in treating chicken pox in patients under the age of 2 or cold sores in patients younger than 12 years old.
How Does Valtrex Work?
Valtrex contains valacyclovir hydrochloride, which fights the herpes virus and prevents it from contaminating DNA. This stops further spread of the herpes virus throughout the body.
Valtrex Dosage Information
Valtrex is taken in tablet form. Dose and treatment duration depend on medical condition of the patient. For treating shingles, Valtrex is normally taken three times a day at 8 hour intervals for one week. Patients with genital herpes are normally prescribed to take Valtrex twice each day for 5 consecutive days.
Take Valtrex only as instructed by your doctor. Do not take a different amount of Valtrex than prescribed and do not end treatment early as this may reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
Ask your doctor for information on how to treat lesions caused by herpes.
