valcivir (VALACYCLOVIR)

What is Valcivir?

Valcivir is a medicine that helps fight off the herpes virus, which causes cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. It works by stopping the virus from multiplying in your body, making the infection less severe and helping it clear up faster. For some people with recurring genital herpes, it can even help prevent outbreaks. It's used in adults and older children.

What is the usual dose of Valcivir?

For adults and kids 12 and up with cold sores, the typical medicine dose is 2 grams, twice a day, 12 hours apart, but only for one day. Other ages and health problems might need different amounts.

How do I take Valcivir?

You can take Valcivir pills with or without food. It doesn't matter if you eat before or after taking them.

For how long do I take Valcivir?

Valcivir is a medicine used for different infections like cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox. How long you take it depends on what you have. For cold sores, it's usually a short course. For shingles and chickenpox, it's best to start it right away. Your doctor will tell you exactly how much to take and for how long.

What is Valcivir used for?

Valcivir is a medicine that helps with different types of herpes. It treats cold sores, genital herpes (in adults), and shingles (in adults). It can also help prevent genital herpes from coming back and spreading in adults. But, it doesn't always work for everyone or in every situation.

How long does it take for Valcivir to start working?

Valcivir works best when taken early. For cold sores, start it as soon as you feel a tingle, itch, or burn, or when the sore appears. For chickenpox, start it right away when you notice any signs. For shingles and genital herpes, it's most effective if started within 72 hours of the rash (shingles) or 24 hours of symptoms (genital herpes). Waiting longer might mean the medicine won't work as well.

Is Valcivir effective?

Valcivir is a medicine that helps with some types of herpes infections. It can treat cold sores, shingles (in healthy adults), and genital herpes (in healthy adults). It can also help prevent genital herpes outbreaks in some adults and reduce the spread of genital herpes. However, it doesn't always work for everyone or in every situation. It's best to talk to a doctor to see if it's right for you.

How does one know if Valcivir is working?

Studies show Valcivir helps prevent genital herpes. It significantly reduced the chances of getting herpes, especially in people who didn't already have it. For those who did get herpes, Valcivir helped sores heal faster.

How does Valcivir work?

Valcivir is an antiviral medicine that works by stopping viruses like herpes and shingles from multiplying. After you take it, your body changes it into its active form, which targets virus-infected cells. It blocks the virus from making more copies of itself, helping to control the infection, reduce symptoms, and speed up healing.

Who should avoid taking Valcivir?

Valcivir is a medicine with important safety notes. Don't take it if you're allergic to it or a similar drug, acyclovir. Tell your doctor about any kidney problems, transplants, serious HIV, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. If you get nervous system problems like acting strangely, trouble moving, confusion, or seeing things that aren't there, get help right away. Rarely, it can cause very serious, even deadly, blood problems. Throw away any medicine that's past its expiration date.

Can I take Valcivir with vitamins or supplements?

Valcivir (the medicine) doesn't seem to have any problems when taken with vitamins or supplements. There's no known bad reactions.

Can I take Valcivir with other prescription drugs?

Valcivir turns into acyclovir in your body. Some medicines, like cimetidine and probenecid, make your body keep more acyclovir for longer. This means higher levels of the medicine in your blood. Using these together boosts acyclovir's effects. Other medicines like antacids, digoxin, or thiazide diuretics don't seem to change how acyclovir works.

Can Valcivir be taken safely while pregnant?

Valcivir, a medication for certain infections, hasn't been clearly linked to major birth defects in many years of use. However, there's not enough information to say for sure if it affects miscarriage rates or other problems. Small studies show a small percentage of babies exposed to Valcivir had birth defects, similar to the number of birth defects seen in babies who weren't exposed to the drug. More research is needed because the studies weren't large enough to give a definitive answer.

Can Valcivir be taken safely while breastfeeding?

A mother taking a certain medicine (Valcivir) twice a day passes a small amount of its active ingredient (acyclovir) into her breast milk. While we don't know for sure what effect this has on the baby or milk supply, doctors need to consider the benefits of breastfeeding against any possible risks to the baby from the medicine.

Is Valcivir safe for the elderly?

Older people with kidney problems need lower doses of Valcivir. They're more likely to have bad side effects, especially problems with their brain and nervous system, so the medicine should be given carefully.

How should I store Valcivir?

Keep the Valcivir pills in a cool, dry place at normal room temperature. The liquid medicine needs to be kept in the refrigerator and thrown away after four weeks, even if there's some left. Make sure the pills are in a closed container. Get rid of any medicine that's past its expiration date.

Does Valcivir make people tired or drowsy?

• Fatigue was reported in 5.2% of people taking Valcivir hydrochloride 3900 mg/day.
• If you experience fatigue while taking this medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.

Does Valcivir cause stomach upset?

• Abdominal pain was reported in 19.8% of people taking Valcivir hydrochloride 3900 mg/day.
• Nausea has also been reported.
• If you experience an upset stomach or other gastrointestinal symptoms, contact your healthcare provider.

Does Valcivir affect sleep?

The information regarding sleep-specific side effects for Valcivir hydrochloride wasn't found.

Does Valcivir make it hard to think or concentrate?

No, the information regarding cognitive side effects like difficulty concentrating or thinking for Valcivir hydrochloride is not found.

Does Valcivir affect mood?

• Depression was reported in 7% of subjects taking Valcivir hydrochloride 1 gram daily and 5% of subjects taking Valcivir hydrochloride 500 mg daily, compared to 5% of subjects taking a placebo.
• If you experience mood swings or other mental health changes, contact your healthcare provider.

Does Valcivir interfere with sexual function?

The information regarding sexual dysfunction as a side effect of Valcivir hydrochloride is not found.

Does Valcivir affect appetite?

The information regarding appetite-specific side effects for Valcivir hydrochloride is not found.

Does Valcivir cause weight gain?

The information regarding weight gain as a side effect of Valcivir hydrochloride is not found.

Does Valcivir cause headaches?

Valcivir can give you a headache. It's a pretty common side effect, especially in kids. If you get a headache while taking it, talk to your doctor.

Does Valcivir limit driving?

Valcivir, a medicine for cold sores, can make some people feel dizzy. In one study, 2 out of 100 people felt this way. If you feel dizzy while taking it and it affects your driving, stop taking it and call your doctor.

Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Valcivir?

There is no specific information about alcohol consumption in the provided prescribing information. However, alcohol can sometimes worsen side effects like dizziness or fatigue. Talk to your healthcare provider about whether it is safe to drink alcohol while taking Valcivir hydrochloride.

Is it safe to drink coffee or tea while taking Valcivir?

There is no information regarding the interaction between caffeinated beverages and Valcivir hydrochloride.

Is it safe to exercise while taking Valcivir?

There is no information regarding the interaction between exercise and Valcivir hydrochloride.

What are Valcivir possible harms and risks?

Valcivir can cause common problems like headache, nausea, or tummy aches. Headaches are especially common, particularly in kids. Rarely, but seriously, it can affect the kidneys or cause problems with the brain like confusion, hallucinations, or seizures. Older people are more likely to have these serious brain problems.