Valaciclovir 500mg

How much should I take?

Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. 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 tablets
for you.

How it works

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:

• treat shingles (in adults).
• treat HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old). It is also used to help prevent these infections from returning.
• treat cold sores (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).
• prevent infection with CMV after organ transplants (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).
• treat and prevent HSV infections of the eye.

Valaciclovir works through a complex chemical process that interferes with the ability of the
herpes virus to reproduce. Thus preventing it from spreading and controlling the infection.

Side effects

Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The following side effects may happen with this medicine:
Conditions you need to look out for

• severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). These are rare in people taking valaciclovir

tablets. Rapid development of symptoms including: flushing, itchy skin rash, swelling
of the lips, face, neck and throat, causing difficulty in breathing (angiodema), fall in
blood pressure leading to collapse.
If you have an allergic reaction, stop taking valaciclovir tablets and see a doctor straight
away.
Very Common (affects more than 1 user in 10):

• headache

Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100):

• feeling sick
• dizziness
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• skin reaction after exposure to sunlight (photosensitivity).
• rash