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Overview
Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved valacyclovir oral tablet to treat the following conditions in adults:
Valacyclovir is also approved to treat the following conditions in some children:
- chickenpox
- cold sores
This article describes possible side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for valacyclovir. You can explore this overview article to learn more about valacyclovir oral tablet, including the drug’s uses, dosage, and more.
Valacyclovir oral tablet is a generic version of the brand-name drug Valtrex.
More common side effects of valacyclovir
Valacyclovir oral tablet may cause mild or serious side effects. Below are some of the more common side effects of this medication.
Commonly reported side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet include:
- headache*
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dizziness
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section below.
Mild side effects of valacyclovir
Valacyclovir may cause certain mild side effects. Usually, mild side effects are temporary and can be easily managed. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have side effects that don’t go away or become bothersome.
Mild side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- headache*
- nausea
- vomiting
- abdominal pain
- dizziness
- painful menstrual periods
- joint pain
- common cold symptoms
- fatigue (loss of energy)
- rash
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section below.
Valacyclovir oral tablet may cause more mild side effects than those listed above. For details, see the drug’s prescribing information.
Serious side effects of valacyclovir
Valacyclovir may cause certain serious side effects. If you have any serious side effects from valacyclovir oral tablet, call your doctor right away. But if you think you’re having a medical emergency or your side effects feel life threatening, take immediate action. Call 911, or a local emergency number, or go to the nearest emergency room.
After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks and reviews side effects of the medication. Visit MedWatch’s website if you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with valacyclovir oral tablet.
Serious side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet that occurred in studies include:
- central nervous system changes*
- kidney failure*
- depression
- increased liver enzymes
- decreased white blood cell count
- decreased platelet count
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section below.
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Get free cardAllergic reaction
For some people, valacyclovir oral tablets can cause an allergic reaction.
But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in the drug’s studies.
In general, symptoms of allergic reaction can be mild or serious. You can learn more about possible symptoms in this article.
Ways to manage
For mild allergic reaction symptoms, such as a mild rash, call your doctor right away. They may recommend treatments to help manage your symptoms. They’ll also let you know whether you should keep taking the medication.
For severe allergic reaction symptoms, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms require immediate medical care because they can become life threatening. If you’ve had a serious allergic reaction to valacyclovir oral tablets, your doctor may recommend taking a different medication instead.
Common questions about side effects of valacyclovir
Here are answers to some common questions about side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet. If you have other questions, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Can taking valacyclovir for shingles cause different side effects than taking it for other conditions?
In studies, people who took valacyclovir for shingles reported the following side effects:
- nausea
- headache*
- vomiting
- dizziness
- abdominal pain
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section below.
These symptoms were also reported by people who took valacyclovir for other uses.
Adults who took valacyclovir to suppress genital herpes also reported fatigue and rash, and some had changes in certain blood tests, including:
- increased liver enzymes
- decreased white blood cell count
- decreased platelet count
Adults who took valacyclovir to reduce the spread of genital herpes also reported common cold symptoms.
If you have concerns about a side effect from valacyclovir, talk with your doctor.
Is valacyclovir an antibiotic? Does it cause side effects similar to those of antibiotics?
No, valacyclovir is an antiviral medication. Antibiotic drugs are prescribed for infections caused by bacteria. Antiviral drugs, like valacyclovir, are prescribed to treat infections caused by viruses.
However, both types of medications can cause abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. Let your doctor know if you have any concerns about the side effects of valacyclovir.
Will valacyclovir 1 g cause more side effects than valacyclovir 500 mg?
It depends. In studies, people who took the 1-gram (g) daily dose of valacyclovir reported headaches* less often than people who took the 500-milligram (mg) daily dose. But people who took the 1-g daily dose reported abdominal pain, dizziness, and painful menstrual periods more often than people who took the 500-mg daily dose.
If you have questions about possible side effects based on the dose of valacyclovir you’re taking, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section below.
Does valacyclovir cause long-term side effects?
Yes, in some cases valacyclovir oral tablet may cause long-term side effects. These side effects may start during treatment with valacyclovir.
Examples of long-term side effects include:
- kidney failure
- thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) in people with certain other medical conditions
- hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUP) in people with certain other medical conditions
TTP is a rare disorder that affects your body’s tendency to form blood clots. HUP is a complex condition where an immune response causes anemia, low blood platelet count, and kidney damage.
Talk with your doctor to learn more about these side effects and how to manage them. Ask your doctor for more information about how long these side effects of valacyclovir may last.
How long do side effects of valacyclovir typically last?
How long the side effects of valacyclovir last may depend on the length of your treatment. For some conditions, you may only need to take it for 1 day. For others, you may need to take it for 10 days.
If you have side effects, they’ll usually go away after you stop taking the drug. But some can be long lasting or have long-term effects (such as those listed in the answer directly above).
To learn more about this, talk with your doctor.
Can valacyclovir cause hair loss or itching?
Hair loss and itching have been reported in people taking valacyclovir. But these side effects weren’t reported in studies of the drug. Itching may also be a symptom of a cold sore, which valacyclovir is prescribed to treat.
If you’re concerned about hair loss or itching while taking valacyclovir, talk with your doctor.
Coupon for valacyclovir
Visit this page to access Optum Perks coupons and get price estimates for valacyclovir when you use the coupons. These coupons can provide significant savings on your prescription costs.
Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.
Side effects of valacyclovir in detail
Below, you’ll find details on some of the side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet.
Central nervous system changes
In studies, central nervous system (CNS) changes were rare in people taking valacyclovir oral tablet. (Your CNS includes your brain and spinal cord.) This side effect may be serious.
With CNS changes, you experience:
- agitation
- confusion
- hallucinations
- seizures
- changes in the way the brain works
Certain factors can increase the risk of CNS changes with valacyclovir oral tablet. These include:
- kidney problems, if you’re taking a higher dose than recommended with this condition
- being age 65 years or older
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about CNS changes, tell your doctor. They’ll decide whether valacyclovir is safe for you to take.
Kidney failure
In studies, kidney failure was rare in people taking valacyclovir oral tablet. This side effect may be serious.
With kidney failure, your kidneys may stop working. Symptoms may include:
- nausea and vomiting
- decreased appetite
- fatigue (loss of energy)
- swelling in your feet and ankles
- producing less urine than usual
- shortness of breath
Certain factors can increase the risk of kidney failure with valacyclovir oral tablet. These include:
- being age 65 years or older
- taking other medications that affect the kidneys
- not drinking enough fluid
Ways to manage
If you have concerns about kidney failure, tell your doctor. They’ll decide whether valacyclovir is safe for you to take.
Headache
In studies, headache was common in people taking valacyclovir oral tablet. This side effect is usually mild.
With headache, symptoms may include:
- pain in your neck or head
- tightness or squeezing around your head
- throbbing pain
Certain factors can increase the risk of headache. These include:
- stress
- not drinking enough fluids
- eyestrain
Ways to manage
If you experience headache symptoms, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend:
- increasing your water intake
- eating well-balanced, nutritious meals
- limiting screen time
- taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Warnings for valacyclovir
Below are some factors you may want to discuss with your doctor before taking valacyclovir oral tablet.
Warnings
It may not be safe for you to take valacyclovir oral tablet if you have specific health conditions. These are sometimes called drug-condition interactions. Other things may also affect whether valacyclovir oral tablet is a safe treatment option for you.
Before taking valacyclovir oral tablet, tell your doctor about your health and medications you take. Things to consider include:
- HIV
- bone marrow transplant
- kidney problems
- your age (being 65 years or older)
- past allergic reaction to valacyclovir
Valacyclovir and pregnancy
In general, valacyclovir oral tablet is considered safe to take during pregnancy. That said, check with your doctor about whether they feel it’s safe for you specifically.
Valacyclovir and breastfeeding
Valacyclovir oral tablet may not be safe to take while breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. Your doctor may recommend other ways to feed your child during treatment with valacyclovir.
Valacyclovir and alcohol
Valacyclovir oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol. But drinking alcohol may worsen some of valacyclovir’s side effects, such as headache* and dizziness. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor if you have concerns about drinking it while taking valacyclovir.
* To learn more about this side effect, see the “Side effects of valacyclovir in detail” section above.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes common and serious side effects of valacyclovir oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they can discuss possible side effects with you. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about treatment with this medication.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- Am I at higher risk of side effects than others?
- Does my risk of side effects depend on what dosage you prescribe?
- Is my risk of side effects higher when I first start the treatment?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.