Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Can I use Valanix to prevent transmission?
Yes. Valanix can be used to prevent transmission. It causes reduction of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) transmission from patient with recurrent infection to uninfected individuals.
Q. Is Valanix a penicillin?
No. Valanix is not a penicillin. Penicillins are a group of antibiotics used against many bacterial infections. Valanix, on the other hand, is an anti-viral agent.
Q. Can I use Valanix for acne?
No. Valanix is not approved for acne. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with guaifenesin?
Valanix has no known interaction with guaifenesin.
Q. Is Valanix a corticosteroid?
No. Valanix is not a corticosteroid. It belongs to the anti-viral class of medicines.
Q. Can I use Valanix for the cold?
No. Valanix should not be used for cold. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. When Valanix doesn"t work?
Valanix has the highest efficacy against Herpes Simplex Virus infections and to some extent Varicella Zoster Virus infections. It may also have activity against CMV and EBV. However, it will not work against other viral infections (HIV, HPV, Influenza), bacterial or fungal infections.
Q. Can I use Valanix for eye herpes?
Yes. Valanix can be used for the treatment of Herpetic Eye.It has been shown to be as effective as acyclovir in reducing the recurrence of an ocular herpetic disease.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with antibiotics?
Valanix has no known major interaction with commonly prescribed antibiotics.
Q. What is the effect of Valanix in immunocompromised patients?
Valanix can be used in immunocompromised patients. It may decrease white blood cell counts in immunocompromised patients.
Q. Can we use Valanix for a cold sore?
Yes. Oral Valanix can be used for cold sore. Cold sores are caused by herpes simplex virus and occur as groups of painful, fluid-filled blisters. Since cold sores are caused due to a virus, an anti-viral agent like Valanix is effective in its treatment. It can be taken when the first symptoms (such as burning or itching) appear. It has little effect after the sore develops.
Q. Can I use Valanix for EBV?
Valanix is predominantly active against Herpes Simplex Virus, and to a lesser extent Varicella Zoster Virus. It is only of limited efficacy against Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) and Cytomegalovirus.
Q. What is the effect of Valanix in cancer patients?
Yes, Valanix can be used in cancer patients, to prevent infection from the herpes virus.
Q. Can I use Valanix for HPV?
No. Valanix is not approved for Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Infection. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. Are famciclovir and Valanix the same?
No. Famciclovir and Valanix are different medicines. Famciclovir is an inactive form of "penciclovir" whereas Valanix is an inactive form of "Acyclovir". Both of them can be used to treat adult patients with Herpes Labialis (Cold Sores), Genital Herpes and Herpes Zoster (Shingles).
Q. What if Valanix is taken with birth control pills?
Valanix has no known interaction with birth control pills.
Q. When does Valanix expire?
Expiry date is a date, generally in MM/YYYY mentioned on the back of the blister. You should not use the medicine after the due date. Expired medicines are less effective or risky due to a change in chemical composition or a decrease in strength.
Q. Can I use Valanix for canker sore?
No. Valanix is not approved for canker sores. Canker sores are small, shallow ulcers that appear in the mouth and often make eating and talking uncomfortable.
Q. Can I use Valanix with vitamin C?
Yes. There is no known interaction between vitamin C and Valanix.
Q. How long does Valanix take to work?
There is reasonable relief from symptoms in 2 to 3 days. Healing of blisters may take a week or above.
Q. Can I use Valanix for UTI?
No. Valanix should not be used for Urinary Tract Infection(UTI). It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with diphenhydramine?
Valanix has no known interaction with diphenhydramine.
Q. Is Valanix a suppressive agent of immune system?
No. Valanix is not a suppressive agent of the immune system. It can be used in immunocompromised patients.
Q. Can I use Valanix for HIV?
Yes, Valanix can be used in HIV-infected individuals if suffering from herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. What would be the benefit to taking Valanix vs acyclovir?
Valanix is the inactive form of Acyclovir and is converted into Acyclovir in the body. It helps in achieving a higher concentration of Acyclovir in the body which improves its clinical efficacy. It means, Valanix doses can be taken fewer times every day as compared to acylovir.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with paracetamol?
Valanix has no known interaction with paracetamol.
Q. Can I use Valanix for Hepatitis B?
No. Valanix is not approved for Hepatitis B. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. What is the use of Valanix besides herpes?
Besides Oro-genital Herpes and Herpes Zoster (shingles), Valanix is used for Chicken Pox in patients with weak immune system and in newborns, Herpes virus infection of the eye, suppression of recurrent genital herpes in adults and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis in organ transplant recipients in adults.
Q. Is Valanix a prodrug?
Yes. Valanix is a âÂÂprodrug" or the inactive form of acyclovir that gets converted to acyclovir in the body.
Q. Can I use Valanix for Hepatitis C?
No. Valanix is not approved for Hepatitis C. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. Is Valanix a blood thinner?
No. Valacyclovir is not a blood thinner. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with prednisone?
Prednisone being a corticosteroid causes weakening of the immune system and hence caution is required for giving these two drugs together, as it may result in significant immunosuppression. A doctor must be consulted before taking valacyclovir with prednisone.
Q. Can I use Valanix for the flu?
No. Valacyclovir should not be used for flu (Influenza). It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. How is Valanix different from ganciclovir?
Ganciclovir is more active against Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Valanix, on the other hand, is active against Herpes Simplex virus.
Q. What not to take with Valanix?
The combination of Valanix with nephrotoxic (kidney damage) medications should be made with caution. This applies to the concomitant use of aminoglycosides, organoplatinum compounds, iodinated contrast media, methotrexate, pentamidine, foscarnet, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus.
Q. When does Valanix start working?
Many people who take ValanixÃÂ notice some relief from symptoms within 2 or 3 days, with the healing of the blisters after about a week.
Q. Can I use Valanix for fever blisters?
Yes. Fever Blisters is another name for cold sores and is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Valanix, an anti-viral agent, can be used in the treatment of fever blisters.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with ciprofloxacin?
Valanix has no known interaction with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.
Q. Is Valanix a cephalosporin?
No. Valanix is not a cephalosporin (beta-lactam antibiotics). It belongs to an anti-viral class of medicines.
Q. How effective is Valanix?
Valanix is considered highly effective for Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections. It works best if it is used within 48 hours after the first symptoms of shingles or genital herpes (e.g., pain, burning, or blisters) begin to appear.
Q. Can I use Valanix to treat a yeast infection?
No. Valanix is not used in the treatment of yeast (fungal) infection. It is an anti-viral and not an anti-fungal medicine.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with amoxicillin?
Valanix has no known interaction with the antibiotic amoxicillin.
Q. Is Valanix an antibiotic?
No. Valanix is not an antibiotic. The term "antibiotic" is usually used for agents that kill living organisms. It is an anti-viral medicine.
Q. Why should we take Valanix with lots of water?
You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with Valanix. This helps to prevent kidney stone and kidney damage.
Q. Can I use Valanix to treat a sore throat?
No. Valanix should not use for the treatment of a sore throat. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.
Q. Is Valanix a narcotic?
No. Valacylovir is not a narcotic. Narcotics are the substance which can cause addiction and dependence.
Q. Can I use Valanix for HSV 1?
Yes. Valanix is used for the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) - Type I infection.
Q. Is Valanix used to treat bell palsy?
The use of Valanix has not been definitively established in Bell"s Palsy. Considering the cost-benefit ratio of this treatment, it is recommended that Valanix should be used in cases of severe palsy within 3 days after the onset of Bell"s palsy.
Q. What if Valanix is taken with ibuprofen?
Valanix has no known interaction with ibuprofen.
Q. Is Valanix to get high?
Valanix use does not cause euphoria. It does not cause addiction.Show moreShow less
