What is Valtrex?

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral drug licensed for the treatment of herpes simplex infections of the skin and mucous membranes causing genital herpes. Valtrex is not a cure for herpes simplex and it does not prevent you from spreading the virus to other people. Valtrex slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus to help the body fight the symptoms of the infection.

To benefit most from treatment of the infection, you should take the Valtrex tablet as soon as the first symptoms appear because the virus reproduces very early.

How to take Valtrex?

For the treatment of your herpes, take the Valtrex tablet with or without water, at the first sign of your herpes symptoms (such as tingling, burning, blisters). The usual dose is 2000 mg (two 1000 mg tablets or four 500 mg tablets) twice a day. The second dose should be taken 12 hours (no sooner than 6 hours) after the first dose. You should take Valtrex for one day (two doses) only. While taking Valtrex make sure you drink lots of water throughout the day.

Do I need medical advice before taking Valtrex?

For certain people, Valtrex may not be the best choice of antiviral medication. Talk to your doctor and do not take Valtrex if you have:

• Kidney problems (damaged kidneys/reduced kidney function).
• Liver problems
• damaged or weakened immune system (immunocompromised)
• are over 65 years old
• an allergic or other serious reaction to Valtrex or any of the ingredients in them
• pregnant or breastfeeding

What is the difference between Valtrex and Valacyclovir?

Valtrex is made by GlaxoSmithKline and is more expensive than Valacyclovir. Valacyclovir is the active ingredient in Valtrex and is available in a generic, unbranded tablet. Valacyclovir and Valtrex are medically equivalent but Valacyclovir is available at a much lower cost.

Generic medicines are required to meet the same standards of safety, quality and efficacy as the branded medication. Therefore, generic medicines contain the same active ingredient and are equally effective and medically equivalent as the branded products but are available at a lower price. Generic manufacturers have to demonstrate that they are medically identical to the branded product - i.e. they offer the same quality, strength, stability and effectiveness.

What is Genital Herpes?

Genital herpes is a very common and highly contagious infection usually spread through sex. Most cases of genital herpes are caused by the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is more often the cause of cold sores but can also be a cause of genital herpes. There is no cure for herpes.

In America, genital herpes affects 1 out of 6 people ages 14-49. Though, most people with genital herpes have not been diagnosed, are not aware and do not experience any symptoms or very mild ones.

• Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
• Genital herpes is very similar to the herpes that appear on the hands and face ('cold sores'), but is found on or around the penis, anus or vagina.
• There are two types of herpes virus, HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both types can cause genital herpes. The first episode of infection (primary) with genital herpes is often quite severe. There are blisters and inflammation at the site of infection and the sufferer may feel generally unwell. It is common to have symptoms of burning when passing urine.
• After the first episode of infection with HSV the virus enters into a dormant phase in the nerve, which supplies feeling to the area where infection occurred.
• The dormant virus reactivates from time to time to cause recurrences.
• Some people get symptoms warning them that a recurrence is about to occur, such as itching, tingling or pain in the genital area; blisters or sores may then develop. These tend to be less severe than the symptoms that occurred at the time of the first episode of infection.
• From time to time the virus may reactivate without causing any symptoms of infection at all.

Who gets Genital Herpes?

Anyone who has sex can get genital herpes. You can get genital herpes from skin-to-skin contact with the infected area when performing or receiving vaginal, penis, anus and oral sex. The people most at risk are those having unprotected sexual intercourse (i.e. not using condoms), especially those with more than one sexual partner and those who change sexual partners.

How do you get infected with Genital Herpes?

• Genital herpes is spread by direct contact with the infectious virus, by unprotected vaginal, penis or anus sex. Also, by oral sex, sharing of sex toys or genital contact with someone who gets cold sores.
• Genital herpes and cold sores are both very infectious when an infected person has blisters or sores.
• It is possible for an infected person to transmit the virus when they have no symptoms of infection. The risk of this happening is probably reduced by using condoms.

What Are the Symptoms of Genital Herpes?

The first symptoms of genital herpes infection can include spots or red bumps around the genital area that causes blisters, burning or itching around the genitals. The small blisters burst open to leave raw, painful sores which gradually crust over, forming new skin as they heal over, within a few weeks. The blisters and sores may also be accompanied by flu-like symptoms with fever and swollen lymph nodes.

Some people may not notice or have any symptoms, but the HSV infection can still be passed on. Then again, after first becoming infected you might notice symptoms after a few days to a couple of weeks or months to even years.

Any of the following symptoms of a genital HSV infection can occur in a man or a woman:

• Cracked, raw, or red areas around your genitals without pain, itching, or tingling
• Itching or tingling around your genitals or your anal region
• Small blisters that break open and cause painful sores. These may be on or around your genitals (penis or vagina) anus, thighs, or bottom area. More rarely, blisters may occur inside the urethra -- the tube urine passes through on its way out of your body.
• Pain from urine passing over the sores -- this is especially a problem in women.
• Headaches
• Backaches - aches and pains in the lower back and down the legs
• Flu-like symptoms, including fever, swollen lymph nodes, and fatigue

How Serious is Genital Herpes

• Genital herpes can be a more serious condition for people with HIV, who need specialist care.
• For most people, genital herpes is not a serious threat to their health. Aside from the discomfort, a herpes simplex virus infection is more of a psychological stressor.
• The majority of people with genital herpes experience mild and infrequent symptoms. Some people may experience more frequent and severe recurrent episodes.
• Pregnant women, although rare, can pass on the herpes infection to their baby.
• The risk of transmission is greatest for babies born to a woman with first episode genital herpes around the time of delivery. Neonatal herpes is potentially life threatening, but this is very rare.
• Women with recurrent herpes prior to pregnancy are at very low risk of transmitting the infection to their babies.

As with all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Valtrex should only be taken after carefully weighing the potential positives and negatives in conjunction with a qualified healthcare professional. The most common adverse reactions reported by patients treated with Valtrex were headache and nausea.

The following side effects have also been reported:

Common (may affect less than 1 in 10):

• Feeling sick
• Dizziness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Skin reaction after exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity)
• Rash

Alternatives

Self-care measures may be helpful for some people:

• keep the area clean using plain or salt water to prevent blisters becoming infected
• apply an ice pack wrapped in a flannel to soothe pain
• apply petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline) or painkilling cream (such as 5% lidocaine) to reduce
• pain when you urinate
• wash your hands before and after applying cream or jelly
• urinate while pouring water over your genitals to ease the pain
• increase fluid intake to produce dilute urine (which is less painful to void).
• use adequate pain relief (e.g. acetaminophen, aspirin or other pain relievers)
• avoid vaginal, anal or oral sex until the sores have gone away
• avoid wearing tight clothing (which may irritate lesions)
• avoid sharing towels and flannels with household members
• avoid identified trigger factors (e.g. ultraviolet light, excess alcohol)

ZipHealth offers a wide range of treatments for Genital Herpes.