Valtrex Use

Valtrex is an oral medication that treats herpes outbreaks as they happen and prevents them from reoccurring.

How Valtrex works

Valtrex works by disrupting the reproduction process of the herpes virus, thus preventing it from spreading to other cells in the body. This puts the virus in an inactive or "sleeping" mode.

How to take Valtrex

Take Valtrex exactly as directed by your doctor. To treat returning herpes outbreaks as they happen, the standard dose of Valtrex is one 500 mg tablet twice a day for three days. To suppress future herpes outbreaks and keep them from reoccurring, the standard dose is 1 g a day. If you suffer from 9 or fewer outbreaks a year, you may require a lower dose for suppressive therapy.

Valtrex precautions

To help reduce the risk of spreading herpes to your partner, use condoms or avoid sexual contact. Valtrex is not a cure for genital herpes. It suppresses the virus that causes it. Even with treatment it's still possible to infect others. Use caution and talk to your doctor if you take probenecid (Benemid) for arthritis or cimetidine (Tagamet) for heartburn. These two drugs have a tendency of increasing the effects of Valtrex, which can lead to dangerous side effects.

What to tell your doctor

Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing. Before you begin taking Valtrex, make sure your doctor knows about any prescription and/or non-prescription medicines you are using, especially if you are taking probenecid (Benemid) for arthritis or cimetidine (Tagamet) for heartburn. Also, to avoid potentially serious complications, tell your doctor if your immune system is not normal because of advanced HIV disease, bone marrow or kidney transplant.

Valtrex side effects

Stop taking Valtrex and seek medical attention immediately if you experience an allergic reaction. Common side effects of Valtrex are:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Dizziness