Valtrex

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral prescription medication intended for the treatment of the herpes virus. It works by stopping the spread of the virus, helping your body to fight off the infection. Make sure you discuss with your health care provider your current health condition and any problems you have, such as kidney disease, a history of kidney or bone marrow transplant, weak immune system, or HIV/AIDS, as presence of some of these conditions may require additional tests for you to be able to safely take Valtrex. This medicine can do harm to your kidneys, especially if you combine this medicine with other drugs that can also cause such effects. The following medicines are supposed to be reported to your doctor if you are taking them at the moment of starting the treatment: pain or arthritis medicines, cancer medicine, ulcerative colitis drugs, lithium, methotrexate, antiviral medicines, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, and IV antibiotics. Valtrex is most efficient if you start taking it immediately when you notice the first symptoms of the infection, such as tingling, burning, and appearance of blisters. However, taking Valtrex is not going to make you less contagious – there is still a risk you will pass the virus to your sex partner. Therefore, it’s important that you use a condom and other methods to protect the other person from getting infected. This drug is FDA pregnancy category B. Valtrex is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby, but it is not known for sure whether this medicine can pass into breast milk. Make sure you talk to you doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or have such plans before asking him for a prescription. If you are taking the liquid form of this medicine – it’s important that you measure your dose with a special spoon. If you happened to take too much of this medicine you may experience urinating less than usual. Make sure you report this symptom and any other ones you may get to your local emergency center. You will need to stop taking this medication and talk to your health care provider as soon as possible if you get any of the following serious side effects: loss of appetite, mood changes, aggression, problems with speech, hallucinations, trouble concentrating, drowsiness, pain in your lower back, and increased thirst. Less serious side effects are a lot more likely and can include some or any of the following: depression, dizziness, mild skin rash, sore throat, nausea, headache, stuffy nose, joint pain, and stomach pain. The mild side effects mentioned are not expected to last for too long or get more severe, so you will just need to wait for them to go away on their own. It’s not recommended to share your dose of Valtrex with any other people to whom it was not prescribed, as the dose you are recommended is based on the assessment of your health conditions and some other aspects. It may not be as efficient for that other person, and may even cause serious health effects in them.