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The product code(s) for this leaflet is: PL 14894/0632 .
Valaciclovir 500 mg Film Coated Tablets
Valaciclovir 500 mg Film-Coated Tablets
valaciclovir
1. What Valaciclovir is and what it is used for
2. What you need to know before you take Valaciclovir
3. How to take Valaciclovir
4. Possible side effects
5. How to store Valaciclovir
6. Contents of the pack and other information
Valaciclovir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes simplex (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).
Valaciclovir can be used to:
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Valaciclovir if:
If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Valaciclovir.
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms (DRESS) has been reported with the use of valaciclovir. DRESS appears initially as flu like symptoms and a rash on the face then an extended rash with a high body temperature, increased levels of liver enzymes seen in blood tests and an increase in a type of white blood cell (eosinophilia) and enlarged lymph nodes.
If you are taking Valaciclovir to treat or prevent genital herpes, or you have had genital herpes in the past, you should still practice safe sex, including the use of condoms. This is important to prevent you passing the infection on to others. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines that affect the kidneys. These include: aminoglycosides, organoplatinum compounds, iodinated contrast media, methotrexate, pentamidine, foscarnet, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, cimetidine and probenecid.
Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about other medicines if you are taking Valaciclovir for treatment of shingles or after having an organ transplant.
Valaciclovir is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or think you could be, or if you are planning to become pregnant, don’t take Valaciclovir without checking with your doctor. Your doctor will weigh up the benefit to you against the risk to your baby of taking Valaciclovir while you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Valaciclovir can cause side effects that affect your ability to drive.
Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The dose that you should take will depend on why your doctor has prescribed Valaciclovir for you. Your doctor will discuss this with you.
Treatment of shingles
Treatment of cold sores
Treatment of HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes
Helping to prevent HSV infections from returning after you have had them
To stop you being infected with CMV (Cytomegalovirus)
Your doctor may adjust the dose of Valaciclovir if:
People over 65 years of age or with kidney problems
It is very important while you are taking Valaciclovir that you drink water regularly during the day. This will help to reduce side effects that can affect the kidney or nervous system. Your doctor will closely monitor you for signs of these. Nervous system side effects might include feeling confused or agitated, or feeling unusually sleepy or drowsy.
Valaciclovir is not usually harmful, unless you take too much over several days. If you take too many tablets you may feel sick, vomit, get kidney problems, may be confused, agitated, feel less aware, see things that aren’t there, or become unconscious. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you take too much Valaciclovir. Take the medicine pack with you.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
Severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). These are rare in people taking Valaciclovir. Rapid development of symptoms including:
Skin rashes or redness. The adverse reaction of the skin may appear as rashes with or without blisters. Skin irritation, oedema (DRESS syndrome) and fever and flu like symptoms may occur.
The following side effects may also happen with this medicine:
Very Common (may affect more than 1 in 10 people)
Common (may affect up to 1 in 10 people)
Uncommon (may affect up to 1 in 100 people)
These nervous system side effects usually occur in people with kidney problems, the elderly or in organ transplant patients taking high doses of 8 grams or more of Valaciclovir a day. They usually get better when Valaciclovir is stopped or the dose reduced.
Other uncommon side effects:
Uncommon side effects that may show up in blood tests
Rare (may affect up to 1 in 1,000 people)
These nervous system side effects usually occur in people with kidney problems, the elderly or in organ transplant patients taking high doses of 8 grams or more of Valaciclovir a day. They usually get better when Valaciclovir is stopped or the dose reduced.
Other rare side effects:
Frequency Not Known (cannot be estimated from the available data)
Drug Reaction with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms also known as DRESS or drug reaction hypersensitivity syndrome, which is characterised by widespread rash, high body temperature, liver enzyme elevations, blood abnormalities (eosinophilia), enlarged lymph nodes and possibly other body organs. See also section 2.
If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Valaciclovir are blue, capsule shaped, biconvex, film-coated tablets with ‘V’ and ‘5’ embossed on either side of the score line on one side and a notch on either side of the score line and smooth on the other side of the tablet.
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Manufacturer
This leaflet was last revised in November 2022.
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