Valtrex & Side Effects

A national research study showed that at least 45 million people ages 12 and older in the U.S. have genital herpes. Statistics also show that it's more common for women to have the STD than men. An estimated 500,000 to 1 million new herpes infections will occur every year. There are a variety of medications available to treat genital herpes, and many people choose Valtrex. Before beginning any new treatment for such an illness, it's important to know and understand everything about the medication.

Definition

• Valtrex is an antiviral drug used to slow down the growth and spread of herpes. This allows the body to fight off the herpes infection. Valtrex also treats infections that are caused by the herpes virus in both children and adults. The herpes virus can cause shingles, cold sores, chickenpox and genital herpes.

Uses

• Valtrex treats cold sores, as well as genital herpes in those who have a normal immune system. Valtrex can also be taken to control outbreaks of genital herpes, even those with HIV. Valtrex only helps control symptoms and is not a cure for the herpes virus. When taking Valtrex for genital herpes, make sure you follow safe sex practices to lower the risk of giving it to your partner, even when you don't have any symptoms. While symptoms are present, do not have sexual intercourse or sexual contact with your partner.

Minor Side Effects

• There are different side effects that can occur when taking Valtrex. Such minor side effects include fatigue, painful periods for women, dizziness, nausea, stomach pain and even vomiting. If you experience these side effects, and they don't go away or they get worse, you should notify your doctor right away.

Serious Side Effects

• As with any medication, there are side effects you need to be aware of. The more serious side effects of Valtrex, although rare, include vision, mental or mood changes, confusion, shaking or unsteady movement, and speech complications. If you notice a decrease or increase in your urine amount, you should tell your doctor. If you experience an unusual fever or find that you bruise or bleed more easily than before you did taking Valtrex, tell your doctor right away. Even side effects that are rarely seen should be taken into consideration before starting a medication.

Precautions

• Before you begin taking Valtrex, you should inform your doctor of any allergy you might have to this or other medications. If you have a family history of kidney disease, any immune system problems or complications, and/or blood disorders, you should make sure your doctor is aware of this. When taking Valtrex, you should not operate or use heavy machinery as Valtrex can cause dizziness. Do not consume alcohol while taking Valtrex if at all possible. If you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, you should discuss taking Valtrex with your doctor.