Interactions With Other Drugs
Drug interactions happen when two or more drugs combine in the body and to create unintended effects or symptoms. Interactions can range from mild to severe and dangerous. See the chart below for some examples.
Valacyclovir can interact with over 60 different drugs, which is why its important to let your physician know about any medications youre taking. For example, valacyclovir can cause serious negative interactions with several medications used to treat HIV, including:
Be sure to tell your physician if you have HIV and if youre taking medications or taking treatment to control it.
Valacyclovir can also be dangerous when taken in combination with a class of drugs called aminoglycoside antibiotics. This includes drugs such as:
Aminoglycosides along with certain other antibiotics, like bacitracin and valacyclovir can potentially cause kidney damage, and this risk increases when the drugs are taken together.
This is not a full list of possible drug interactions. If youre using any other medications, consult a more complete list of possible interactions and speak with your doctor and pharmacist for more information.
Serious Side Effects Of Valtrex
Although its rare, Valtrex can cause more serious side effects that may require medical attention, including:
- Low blood cell counts
- Painful periods for women
If youre taking Valtrex and have any of these symptoms, you should contact your doctor for medical advice as soon as possible.
If you have any signs of an allergic reaction like difficulty breathing, hives, or swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, you should seek immediate emergency medical treatment.
Other serious side effects that could potentially occur when taking Valtrex include:
- Inflammation of the liver
- A serious blood disorder called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome
Some patients are more susceptible to these serious side effects than others. Consult your healthcare provider to find out if youre at risk.
These side effects are very rare. Antiviral medicines are effective at treating viral infections, but after long-term use, they can eventually weaken the immune system by affecting immune cells. This is typically only an issue for seniors and people with weakened immune systems. Even though its not typically taken for long periods of time, if your doctor does want you to take it long term, then thats okay. Some studies have even shown that the long-term use of Valtrex is well-tolerated for healthy individuals.
Herpes Drugs Dont Stop Herpes Shedding
Got Genital Herpes? Youre Still Infectious, Even if Drugs Cut Symptoms
Even when they dont have an active herpes outbreak, people who carry genital herpes viruses are at risk of infecting their sex partners. With the discovery of drugs that prevent herpes outbreaks, there was hope that the drugs would also prevent herpes transmission. But theres been troubling evidence that this may not be true.
Now University of Washington researcher Christine Johnston, MD, and colleagues show that people with no herpes symptoms often shed infectious genital herpes virus even while taking very high doses of anti-herpes drugs.
Short episodes of genital shedding occur frequently with antiviral therapy, even for high-dose regimens, Johnston and colleagues report. These breakthrough episodes are typically , last several hours, and occur at much the same rate irrespective of antiviral dose.
One in 5 Americans and Europeans carries HSV-2, the virus that causes most cases of genital herpes HSV-1 causes some cases. Most people have few, if any, of genital herpes painful symptoms: blisters on or around the genitals or rectum.
Theres no cure for herpes infections. Thats because herpes viruses travel up nerves to take up latent form in the nerve root. Powerful anti-herpes drugs acyclovir , famciclovir , and valacyclovir prevent most outbreaks in most people. But they dont eliminate virus hiding in nerve cells.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Acyclovir is used to decrease pain and speed the healing of sores or blisters in people who have varicella , herpes zoster , and first-time or repeat outbreaks of genital herpes . Acyclovir is also sometimes used to prevent outbreaks of genital herpes in people who are infected with the virus. Acyclovir is in a class of antiviral medications called synthetic nucleoside analogues. It works by stopping the spread of the herpes virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure genital herpes and may not stop the spread of genital herpes to other people.
Stds That Are Less Likely To Spread Through Kissing
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Syphilis: This is a bacterial infection that can be spread by having sex. It isnt usually spread by kissing unless you and your partner both have syphilis sores present in your mouth when you kiss.
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Herpes simplex virus 2 : This is a virus that spreads easily in body fluids. HSV-2 can cause painful blisters in your genital area, but it rarely affects your mouth. This means its less likely than HSV-1 to spread through kissing.
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Management Of Sex Partners
The sex partners of persons who have symptomatic genital herpes can benefit from evaluation and counseling. Symptomatic sex partners should be evaluated and treated in the same manner as patients who have symptomatic genital herpes. Asymptomatic sex partners of patients who have symptomatic genital herpes should be asked about a history of genital symptoms and offered type-specific serologic testing for HSV-2. For partners without genital herpes, no data are available on which to base a recommendation for PEP or PrEP with antiviral medications or that they would prevent acquisition, and this should not be offered to patients as a prevention strategy.
What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- What is the best treatment for me?
- What happens if I dont treat a cold sore?
- What are the side effects of antiviral medications?
- How can I reduce the risk of future outbreaks?
- Whats the best way to prevent getting another STI?
- How can I protect my partner from getting genital herpes?
- Should I lookout for signs of complications?
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Most Read Local Stories
A: Many things may affect nail health. The proper balance of thyroid hormone has an impact. Cholesterol-lowering drugs like simvastatin have been linked to nail changes, and so has the acid-suppressing drug lansoprazole .
Avoid nail hardeners, since they may aggravate the situation. Some readers report that taking a dietary supplement called MSM , commonly used for arthritis, may be helpful. Others tell us that moisturizing the nails with products such as Elon, Epilyt or almond oil helps.
For more details on these approaches, check out our guide to hair and nail care. To order a copy, send $3 in check or money order with a long , stamped , self-addressed envelope to: Graedons Peoples Pharmacy, No. H-31, P.O. Box 52027, Durham, NC 27717-2027. It also can be downloaded for $2 at www.peoplespharmacy.com.
Q: Ive had an odd experience. Im 66 and in good health, but my eyesight has deteriorated.
When I take Lunesta to go to sleep, the next day my eyesight is crystal-clear and needs no correction. Then, the following day if I dont take the sleeping pill, my eyes are so blurry and out of focus I have a hard time even with my glasses.
Has anyone else reported this?
A: We have searched the official label information and the medical literature and could find no reference to beneficial effects of Lunesta on vision. Have you considered the possibility that getting a good nights sleep makes the difference?
Treating Cold Sores With Valtrex
Cold sores typically start to heal on their own within about four to six days. Although, the first cold sore you get will likely last longer.
Most people dont require treatment for their cold sores, but, in some cases, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication such as Valtrex. This may be because you get cold sores often or if youre at high risk of serious complications, such as from a weakened immune system.
To treat a cold sore, you take Valtrex on the day you notice a cold sore forming. Valtrex works by preventing the herpes virus from growing and spreading.
Your doctor may also prescribe Valtrex to help prevent future cold sores, which is an off-label use. In that case, you and your doctor would work together to create the best treatment plan for you.
Valtrex is an oral caplet. It comes in 500-milligram and 1-gram strengths. Its available as a brand-name product as well as a generic medication . The generic product is an oral tablet which comes in the same strengths.
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Suppressive Therapy For Recurrent Hsv
Suppressive therapy reduces frequency of genital herpes recurrences by 70%80% among patients who have frequent recurrences . Persons receiving such therapy often report having experienced no symptomatic outbreaks. Suppressive therapy also is effective for patients with less frequent recurrences. Long-term safety and efficacy have been documented among patients receiving daily acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir . Quality of life is improved for many patients with frequent recurrences who receive suppressive therapy rather than episodic treatment . Providers should discuss with patients on an annual basis whether they want to continue suppressive therapy because frequency of genital HSV-2 recurrence diminishes over time for many persons. However, neither treatment discontinuation nor laboratory monitoring is necessary because adverse events and development of HSV antiviral resistance related to long-term antiviral use are uncommon.
Valacyclovir 500 mg orally 2 times/day for 3 daysOR
Valacyclovir 1 gm orally once daily for 5 days
*Acyclovir 400 mg orally 3 times/day is also effective, but are not recommended because of frequency of dosing.
What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
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Can Valacyclovir Stop Genital Herpes From Spreading
Valacyclovir is an oft-prescribed treatment for both oral and genital herpes. It can also treats chickenpox, which is another herpes virus strain. Valacyclovir, when prescribed to prevent herpes outbreaks or lower their frequency, also reduces the rate of transmission.
Research has found that using valacyclovir will reduce the risk of transmission by about 50%. If in addition, you use condoms, the risk of contagion drops by another 50%. So, the total risk reduction is about 75% of whatever the initial risk was. Its not 100% safe, but a significant odds improvement. Studies have found that daily valacyclovir therapy for the duration of one year did not cause any significant adverse health effects. If you suffer from recurring genital herpes outbreaks, talk to your doctor about whether valacyclovir may be right for you.
If you arent a herpes carrier yourself but your partner is, to be safer yet, just avoid having sex when your partner has an active outbreak, even if he does take valacyclovir. The same goes for oral sex. If your partner has cold sores , dont let him or her give you oral sex, and avoid skin-to-skin contact with the affected area on his or her mouth.
If you know that you have genital herpes , you need to take extra care in order to prevent the virus spreading to your partner. Be frank and tell your partner, practice safer sex, and avoid sex completely when you notice signs of an outbreak, however mild.
How To Prevent Herpes
But most people have sex at some point in their lives, so knowing how to have safer sex is important. Using protection like condoms and dental dams when you have sex helps to lower your risk of getting an STD.
Herpes can live on areas of your body that arent protected by condoms , so condoms wont always protect you from herpes. But they do lower your chances of getting herpes.
Dont have sex with anyone during a herpes outbreak, because thats when it spreads most easily. But herpes can also spread when there are no sores or symptoms, so its important to use condoms and dental dams, even if everything looks and feels A-OK.
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These Medicines Are To Be Taken Orally They Are:
In addition, patients suffering from severe infection or complications that arise of out herpes may need intravenous acyclovir, recommends CDC. They may have to be hospitalized.
It is found that people with mild symptoms of herpes can also develop severe complications, if they leave the disease untreated.
So, doctors advise to not delay anymore and walk in your nearest STD clinic immediately.
Treatment For Genital Herpes
There are three antiviral medications that are FDA-approved for the treatment of genital herpes:
- Acyclovir: The oldest antiviral medication for herpes is acyclovir. It has been available since 1982 in a topical form and sold since 1985 in pill form. Acyclovir has been shown to be safe in persons who have used it continuously for as long as 10 years.
- Valacyclovir: A newer drug, valacyclovir, actually uses acyclovir as its active ingredient. This medication delivers acyclovir more efficiently so that the body absorbs much of the drug, which has the advantage of taking the medication fewer times during the day.
- Famciclovir: Famciclovir uses penciclovir as its active ingredient to stop HSV from replicating. Like valacyclovir, it is well absorbed, persists for a longer time in the body, and can be taken less frequently than acyclovir.
Antiviral medication is commonly prescribed for patients having a first episode of genital herpes, but they can be used for recurrent episodes as well. There are two kinds of treatment regimens: episodic therapy and suppressive therapy.
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Herpes Suppressive Therapy: 6 Points To Know About Daily Valtrex
Unfortunately, there isnt a cure for herpes. However, doctors sometimes prescribe Valtrex to be taken every day in order to prevent outbreaks and lower transmission rates. Using antiviral medications like Valtrex every day is known as herpes suppressive therapy.
Medically reviewed by Gerard Sison, PharmD on Nov. 26, 2018
Depending on the severity of a case of herpes, doctors may prescribe one of two methods for managing symptoms:
Herpesyl is a 100% natural blend that targets and eliminates herpes virus in the body.
Positive Singles is a safe, supportive community to meet others with HSV! Dating profiles, blogs, support groups, and active discussion. Avoid the awkward herpes talk.
- Intermittent treatment consists of taking an antiviral drug when you experience an outbreak to lessen the severity of symptoms and shorten their duration.
- Suppressive therapy consists of taking a regular dose of antivirals every day whether you have an outbreak or not. The purpose is to not only prevent outbreaks, but also to reduce the likelihood of transmitting herpes to a sexual partner.
How Can I Make Sure I Dont Give Anyone Herpes
If you find out that you have herpes, try not to freak out. There are a few ways that you can stop it from spreading to your partners and other parts of your body.
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Talk with your doctor about taking herpes medication every day, which can lower your chances of spreading herpes.
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Dont have sex during a herpes outbreak, even with a condom. There may be sores on places the condom doesnt cover.
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Learn how to tell when an outbreak is coming, and stop having sex right when you notice these signs. You may feel a burning, itching, or tingling feeling that lets you know youre about to get sores.
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Dont have sex until your sores are totally gone, and the scabs heal and fall off.
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Dont touch your herpes sores, because you can spread the infection to other parts of your body or other people. If you touch a sore, wash your hands with soap and water right after.
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Dont wet contact lenses with spit this might spread your oral herpes to your eye.
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If you have a cold sore on your mouth, don’t kiss anyone especially babies, children, or pregnant women.
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Always tell your sexual partners that you have herpes before you have sex, so you can work together to prevent it from spreading. Telling someone you have an STD can be hard, but herpes is super common and doesnt lead to serious health problems. So try not to be too embarrassed or stressed out about it.
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What Other Information Should I Know
Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your doctor may order certain lab tests to check your response to acyclovir.
Do not let anyone else take or use your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.