How Valacyclovir works

Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication. It prevents the multiplication of the virus in human cells. Thus stops the virus from producing new viruses.

Side Effects

Headache, Nausea, Vomiting, Rash, Dizziness, Diarrhoea, Itching, Photosensitivity

Usage

Valacyclovir is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir to prevent transmission?

Yes. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir a penicillin?

No. Valacyclovir is not a penicillin. Penicillins are a group of antibiotics used against many bacterial infections. Valacyclovir, on the other hand, is an anti-viral agent.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for acne?

No. Valacyclovir is not approved for acne. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.

Q. What if Valacyclovir is taken with guaifenesin?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with guaifenesin.

Q. Is Valacyclovir a corticosteroid?

No. Valacyclovir is not a corticosteroid. It belongs to the anti-viral class of medicines.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for the cold?

No. Valacyclovir should not be used for cold. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.

Q. When Valacyclovir doesn't work?

Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir for eye herpes?

Yes. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir is taken with antibiotics?

Valacyclovir has no known major interaction with commonly prescribed antibiotics.

Q. What is the effect of Valacyclovir in immunocompromised patients?

Valacyclovir can be used in immunocompromised patients. It may decrease white blood cell counts in immunocompromised patients.

Q. Can we use Valacyclovir for a cold sore?

Yes. Oral Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir for EBV?

Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir in cancer patients?

Yes, Valacyclovir can be used in cancer patients, to prevent infection from the herpes virus.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for HPV?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir the same?

No. Famciclovir and Valacyclovir are different medicines. Famciclovir is an inactive form of 'penciclovir' whereas Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir is taken with birth control pills?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with birth control pills.

Q. When does Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir for canker sore?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir with vitamin C?

Yes. There is no known interaction between vitamin C and Valacyclovir.

Q. How long does Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir for UTI?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir is taken with diphenhydramine?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with diphenhydramine.

Q. Is Valacyclovir a suppressive agent of immune system?

No. Valacyclovir is not a suppressive agent of the immune system. It can be used in immunocompromised patients.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for HIV?

Yes, Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir vs acyclovir?

Valacyclovir 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, Valacyclovir doses can be taken fewer times every day as compared to acylovir.

Q. What if Valacyclovir is taken with paracetamol?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with paracetamol.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for Hepatitis B?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir besides herpes?

Besides Oro-genital Herpes and Herpes Zoster (shingles), Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir a prodrug?

Yes. Valacyclovir is a ‘prodrug' or the inactive form of acyclovir that gets converted to acyclovir in the body.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for Hepatitis C?

No. Valacyclovir is not approved for Hepatitis C. It is used in the treatment of herpes labialis, genital herpes infection and herpes zoster.

Q. Is Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir different from ganciclovir?

Ganciclovir is more active against Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Valacyclovir, on the other hand, is active against Herpes Simplex virus.

Q. What not to take with Valacyclovir?

The combination of Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir start working?

Many people who take Valacyclovir notice some relief from symptoms within 2 or 3 days, with the healing of the blisters after about a week.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for fever blisters?

Yes. Fever Blisters is another name for cold sores and is caused by Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV). Valacyclovir, an anti-viral agent, can be used in the treatment of fever blisters.

Q. What if Valacyclovir is taken with ciprofloxacin?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin.

Q. Is Valacyclovir a cephalosporin?

No. Valacyclovir is not a cephalosporin (beta-lactam antibiotics). It belongs to an anti-viral class of medicines.

Q. How effective is Valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir to treat a yeast infection?

No. Valacyclovir is not used in the treatment of yeast (fungal) infection. It is an anti-viral and not an anti-fungal medicine.

Q. What if Valacyclovir is taken with amoxicillin?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with the antibiotic amoxicillin.

Q. Is Valacyclovir an antibiotic?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir with lots of water?

You should drink plenty of water while on treatment with Valacyclovir. This helps to prevent kidney stone and kidney damage.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir to treat a sore throat?

No. Valacyclovir 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 Valacyclovir a narcotic?

No. Valacylovir is not a narcotic. Narcotics are the substance which can cause addiction and dependence.

Q. Can I use Valacyclovir for HSV 1?

Yes. Valacyclovir is used for the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) - Type I infection.

Q. Is Valacyclovir used to treat bell palsy?

The use of Valacyclovir has not been definitively established in Bell's Palsy. Considering the cost-benefit ratio of this treatment, it is recommended that Valacyclovir should be used in cases of severe palsy within 3 days after the onset of Bell's palsy.

Q. What if Valacyclovir is taken with ibuprofen?

Valacyclovir has no known interaction with ibuprofen.

Q. Is Valacyclovir to get high?

Valacyclovir use does not cause euphoria. It does not cause addiction.