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What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Valtrex,
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to acyclovir (Zovirax), Valtrex, or any other drugs.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and
nonprescription medications you are taking, especially cimetidine (Tagamet), probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins.
- tell your doctor if you have or have ever had kidney or liver disease, problems
with your immune system, human immunodeficiency virus infection (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast
-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking Valtrex, call your doctor.
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Proper Use of This Medicine
If you are taking Valtrex for shingles, you should start using it as soon as possible after your doctor has made a diagnosis. It's best to see a doctor and start the drug within 48 hours of first noti
cing the rash. If you wait more than 72 hours after you first get a herpes zoster rash, the medication may not be effective.
If you are using Valtrex for genital herpes, begin taking it at t
he first sign of an attack. The medication may not be effective if you wait longer than 72 hours after the first attack or 24 hours after a later attack.
If you are taking Valtrex for cold s
ores, you should start using it at the earliest signs of infection, such as tingling, itching, or burning.
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Other medical problems
ChildrenˇXStudies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients. There is no specific information comparing use of Valtrex in children with use in other age groups.
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What side effects may occur?
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if the following side effect occurs:
- Painful menstruation, including abdominal cramps, diarrhea, or nausea
- Black, tarry stools; ches
t pain; chills; cough; decreased frequency/output of urine; fever; flu-like symptoms; headache; lower back/side pain; reduced mental alertness; shortness of breath; unusual tiredness; yello
w eyes or skin
- Back, leg or stomach pains; changes in behavior, especially in interactions with other people; difficulty breathing or swallowing; fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat
; high blood pressure; itching; lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position; redness of skin ;
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What Is It
Valtrex is used to treat certain herpes infections, including herpes zoster (the painful rash known as shingles), genital herpes, and herpes cold sores on the face and lips.
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Symptoms of overdose
When taken by people with kidney disorders, excessive doses of Valtrex have been known to cause psychological problems and kidney failure. If you suspect an overdose, check with your doctor immediatel
y.
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