Valtrex (acyclovir/aciclovir)
Valtrex (acyclovir/aciclovir) is an antiviral medicine that slows down the spread of the herpes virus

Valtrex

Valtrex (acyclovir/aciclovir) is an antiviral medicine that slows down the spread of the herpes virus allowing your body to fight off the infection more efficiently. This medicine does not cure herpes, but it does help you to keep it under control. Therefore, this drug will be efficient in the treatment of the following infections caused by herpes virus: chicken pox, cold sores, genital herpes and shingles. You should begin the treatment immediately as you notice the first symptoms of the infection - tingling under the skin, blisters and burning. Even when you are receiving this treatment you can be contagious, so make sure the areas affected do not come into contact with other people around you. Make sure you use your own towel and other objects of personal hygiene to avoid passing the infection to other people.

Before starting the treatment, make sure you are not allergic to acyclovir or valacyclovir, as you may not be able to take Valtrex because of the high risk of the same allergic reaction happening again. This drug is FDA pregnancy category B - it is not expected to cause harm to an unborn baby if taken by the expectant mother. Nevertheless, it can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing infant. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby to prevent your child from being affected. In case you have genital herpes try to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy as this virus can be easily passed from the mother to the baby when it's born.

Some of the side effects you may experience when taking this mediation include: swelling in your hands of feet, lightheadedness, headache, diarrhea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, vision changes, joint pain and hair loss. If these symptoms do not go away on their own, persist and become bothersome talk to your health care provider about the possibility of dose adjustment. Certain serious side effects you need to be aware of can also include fast heartbeat, weakness, hives, blisters of rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, throat and lips, bloody diarrhea, headache, hallucinations, seizures and loss of consciousness.

Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your health care provider to make sure you do not have any unwanted side effects and symptoms. This medicine can be taken with some food or without it, although taking this drug with food can decrease stomach upset. The liquid form of this medicine should be shaken well before a dose is measured. You should have a marked measuring spoon specially intended for taking drugs like Valtrex to make sure the dose measured is accurate. Report an overdose of this medicine to your local emergency center. Some of the symptoms that can indicate an overdose include seizures, agitation, decreased urination and loss of consciousness.

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