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Valacyclovir: 7 things you should know

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on April 5, 2023.

1. How it works

2. Upsides

3. Downsides

If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include:

Note: In general, seniors or children, people with certain medical conditions (such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures) or people who take other medications are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. View complete list of side effects

4. Bottom Line

Valacyclovir is an antiviral prodrug that is rapidly converted into acyclovir in the body. It should be started at the first sign of genital herpes or cold sore symptoms but is not a cure for these conditions. Valacyclovir only needs to be taken twice a day compared with acyclovir which needs to be taken five times a day.

5. Tips

6. Response and effectiveness

7. Interactions

Medicines that interact with valacyclovir may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with valacyclovir. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions should be managed.

Common medications that may interact with valacyclovir include:

Alcohol should be avoided while taking valacyclovir because it weakens the immune system and may exacerbate the side effects of valacyclovir.

Note that this list is not all-inclusive and includes only common medications that may interact with valacyclovir. You should refer to the prescribing information for valacyclovir for a complete list of interactions.

References

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use valacyclovir only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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