VALTREX

What Is It Used For?
Uses of the drug include:

• Treating shingles in adults
• Treating cold sores in adults and children
• Treating chickenpox in children
• Treating genital herpes in adults
• Preventing recurrent genital herpes outbreaks in adults
• Decreasing the spread of herpes to sexual partners in adults.

Valtrex is not a cure for shingles, genital herpes, or cold sores.

• Valacyclovir 500 mg
• Valacyclovir 1000 mg (1 gram).

Starting in December 2009, Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc., was the only manufacturer allowed to make and sell generic valacyclovir in the United States for 180 days, due to laws that give generic manufacturers incentives to challenge the patents of brand-name medications.

During this period, there was a severe shortage of generic Valtrex, with many pharmacies being completely unable to obtain the product. However, now that Ranbaxy's 180-day exclusivity period has expired, several generic manufacturers have begun selling generic Valtrex, and it appears the shortage has ended.

Some of the manufacturers who make generic valacyclovir include:

• Aurobindo Pharma
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories
• Matrix Laboratories, Limited
• Mylan Pharmaceuticals
• Ranbaxy Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Roxane Laboratories, Inc.
• Sandoz
• Teva Pharmaceuticals
• Watson Laboratories.

Valtrex precautions and warnings include potential drug interactions, possible risks for people with poor kidney function, and whether women who are nursing should take it. Before taking Valtrex, talk to your healthcare provider about any health conditions you may have, such as kidney disease, AIDS, or depression. Valtrex precautions and warnings also extend to any medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medications, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Valtrex Warnings and Precautions

Valtrex warnings and precautions to be aware of include the following:

• Valtrex can interact with certain medications.
• Valtrex is considered a pregnancy Category B medication. This means that Valtrex is probably safe for use during pregnancy. However, because Valtrex has not been studied in pregnant women, the full risks of using it during pregnancy are not known. Women who are pregnant should take Valtrex only if the benefits outweigh the risks to the developing baby. Discuss possible risks and benefits with your healthcare provider before using Valtrex when pregnant (see Valtrex During Pregnancy).
• Valtrex is passed through breast milk. Therefore, if you are breastfeeding, or plan to start breastfeeding, be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about this. He or she can decide whether taking Valtrex while nursing is okay for your particular situation.
• The dose of Valtrex must be reduced in people with poor kidney function. If normal doses of Valtrex are used in people with kidney problems, kidney failure and other serious problems may occur. Your dose of Valtrex may also need to be reduced if you are taking other medications that can harm the kidneys.
• Valtrex can cause central nervous system side effects, such as confusion, hallucinations, delirium, or seizures, especially if a person is given too high of a dosage with respect to his or her kidney function.
• A serious condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/hemolytic uremic syndrome (TTP/HUS) has occurred in certain people taking Valtrex. TTP/HUS is a condition involving very low red blood cell and platelet counts. In TTP/HUS, the body forms many small blood clots. This dangerous condition has occurred in people with HIV and people who have had a stem cell transplant or kidney transplant. These people were taking unusually high doses of Valtrex (8 grams per day). Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you have signs of TTP/HUS, including unusual bruising and bleeding or unexplained fever.
• People 65 years of age and older have a higher chance of certain Valtrex side effects. Therefore, your healthcare provider may give you a lower dose of Valtrex.
• Valtrex should not be taken for more than one day when used for cold sores. Taking Valtrex longer than this does not increase the effectiveness and may cause side effects.
• Valtrex has not been studied in people with HIV who have a CD4 cell count less than 100 cells/mm3. Also, Valtrex has not been studied for the treatment of genital herpes in people with HIV (it has been studied for the prevention of outbreaks).
• Valtrex has not been studied in people with poorly functioning immune systems (other than people with HIV). This may include people with cancer and people taking immune-suppressing medications (such as after a transplant).
• Valtrex has not been studied in preventing the spread of genital herpes in people with multiple sex partners or in non-heterosexual couples.
• Valtrex should be started as soon as possible. In studies, Valtrex was always started within three days of symptoms (for shingles or genital herpes) or before a cold sore was visible. There is no information available about the effectiveness of Valtrex started after three days (for shingles or genital herpes) or after a cold sore has appeared.
• Valtrex will not cure genital herpes. You should avoid sexual contact while having an outbreak (or if you think you are about to have an outbreak). You should always use condoms, as genital herpes can be spread at any time.

Side Effects of Valtrex
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Valtrex:

Dizziness; headache; nausea; stomach pain; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Valtrex:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; aggressive behavior; bloody or dark urine; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; depression; fatigue; fever; hallucinations; joint pain; lower back pain; painful menstrual periods; pale skin; pinpoint bruises; seizures; severe abdominal pain; severe or persistent headache; shaky movements; speech problems; swelling of the face, hands, feet, or entire body; unsteady movement; unusual bruising or bleeding; weakness; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.