|  | Conditions Treatments | Herpes

What Are the Dangers of Stopping Valtrex?

Valtrex is the brand name for the drug valacyclovir. It is similar to Acyclovir and Famvir. These medications are used to treat the broad spectrum of herpes viruses that affect human beings. They work by interrupting viral replication and slowing duration or preventing outbreaks.

  1. Herpes Simplex One

    • Herpes comes in many different shapes and forms. HSV-1 or herpes simplex 1 virus occurs above the waist. The herpes simplex 1 virus causes mouth sores, chickenpox in children and can cause a serious disease, especially among the elderly and immunosuppressed, called shingles or herpes zoster.

      HSV-1 is initially caught as a contagion from person to person, whether it be children at play, during a kiss or using or sharing utensils, toothbrushes or other direct contact with an open HSV-1 sore.

      Chickenpox used to be a rite of passage and parents would often encourage their children to go to "chicken pox parties" to get it as early as possible as it is less sever in early childhood. Nowadays there is a vaccine and it is not necessary to get chickenpox.

    Chickenpox and Valtrex

    • Valtrex may be prescribed to children who catch chickenpox and were not immunized against the disease. Valtrex, along with Famvir and Acycolovir will lessen the duration and symptoms of the outbreak.

      Under these circumstances, stopping Valtrex poses a danger only in the severity and duration of the outbreak. Chickenpox is usually self-limiting and will stop within three to four weeks. In severe cases, especially if chickenpox is in the eyes or mouth but more importantly in the eye, never stop taking Valtrex without consulting the prescribing doctor.

    Herpes Zoster (Shingles) and Valtrex

    • Once someone has been exposed to the HSV-1 virus it remains dormant in nerve cells called ganglions. These are nerve cells which are linear in nature. In other words they have a start point and travel on a linear plane to other regions of the body.

      Most cases of herpes zoster, or shingles. occur on the trunk (body) of a person previously infected with HSV-1, more specifically chickenpox. It can also occur in the face and even eyes and this is among the most dangerous places as it can cause blindness.

      Herpes zoster outbreaks have phases, the first is a tingling or burning phase, then there is a blistering phase, followed by an oozing phase and then healing. The entire process can take a month or more and the biggest danger is herpetic neuropathy which means a numbness or residual pain in the nerve affected by the outbreak. More notably the herpes zoster virus in the eye can cause blindness.

      The earlier shingles or a herpes zoster outbreak is caught the better, as Valtrex or one of the other antivirals will prevent prolonged symptoms and help to shorten the lifespan.

      Herpes zoster is almost always confined to one side of the body. Stopping treatment without consulting the prescribing doctor could be dangerous as it can lead to complications such as optical herpes and herpetic neuropathy.

    Genital Herpes

    • Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex II virus. It is a sexually transmitted disease and the first outbreak is usually the worst with subsequent outbreaks being less severe in symptoms and pain and discomfort. Valtrex is often used to treat acute genital herpes outbreaks and is used as a maintenance dose to keep the virus dormant, especially for those subject to frequent outbreaks.

      Stopping an initial dose, as with HSV-1, is not advisable as it will only prolong the breakout and can increase the severity. Side effects are not uncommon and before stopping an initial dose consulting with a medical professional is highly recommended.

      Maintenance doses are used to hold back the virus in those with frequent outbreaks. It is also used to protect the partners of those infected, as well as the infected person. An active herpes outbreak is a known risk factor for increased HIV transmission. Again it is not advisable to stop any dose of Valtrex without the approval of a treating physician.

    Oral Herpes

    • Many people experience oral herpes. These are the unsightly lesions that are confined to the mouth area and usually are visible above or below the lip.

      This is caused by HSV-1 but is idiosyncratic in that it rarely develops into shingles or any other type of herpes, though it can be spread sexually, both orally and genitally. More frequently topical remedies or creams containing Valtrex or related products are prescribed. For chronic sufferers, maintenance doses of Valtrex may be administered to prevent ongoing outbreaks.

      Stopping Valtrex for oral herpes is not usually risky, but will prolong the sore and may cause more frequent outbreaks, viral shedding, which in turn will make the person suffering more likely to pass on the virus to a partner, and could lead to secondary outbreaks. For example, oral herpes that is actively shedding and is touched can be brought to the eye by rubbing which can lead to a serious optical infection.

      As with all forms of herpes and all medications, never stop a medication without consulting the prescribing physician.

Herpes - Related Articles