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Generic drug name:
acyclovir
(ay SYE kloe veer)
Brand name(s):
SITAVIG,
XERESE,
ZOVIRAX
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Viral Infection
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Generic drug name:
valacyclovir
(val ay SYE kloe veer)
Brand name(s):
VALTREX
GENERIC:
not available
FAMILY:
Drugs for Viral Infection
Find the drug label by
searching at DailyMed.
Pregnancy and Breast-feeding Warnings [top]
Pregnancy Warning
No valid data are available for these drugs, as they were not tested adequately in animal studies. Use during pregnancy only for clear medical reasons. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant before you take these drugs.
Breast-feeding Warning
Acyclovir is excreted at very high levels in human milk. Results from a study show that valacyclovir should be administered in a nursing mother with caution and only used when indicated. Because of the potential for serious adverse effects in nursing infants, you should not take these drugs while nursing.
Facts About This Drug [top]
After oral administration, valacyclovir is rapidly broken down to acyclovir in the intestine and liver.[1] Oral acyclovir is approved by the FDA for shingles (herpes zoster), genital herpes, and chicken pox.[2] The ointment form of acyclovir is approved for the initial management of genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening herpes infection of the mucous membranes in patients with problems with their immune systems.[3] Acyclovir cream is approved by the FDA for cold sores. The...
After oral administration, valacyclovir is rapidly broken down to acyclovir in the intestine and liver.[1] Oral acyclovir is approved by the FDA for shingles (herpes zoster), genital herpes, and chicken pox.[2] The ointment form of acyclovir is approved for the initial management of genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening herpes infection of the mucous membranes in patients with problems with their immune systems.[3] Acyclovir cream is approved by the FDA for cold sores. The duration of cold sores was reduced on average by only one-half day.[4]
Oral valacyclovir is FDA-approved for shingles, genital herpes, and the treatment of cold sores.[1] The editors of The Medical Letter, a respected independent source of drug information for health professionals, found that valacyclovir only “modestly” shortened the duration of a cold sore by about one day.[5],[1]
Before You Use This Drug [top]
Tell your doctor if you have or have had:
Tell your doctor about any other drugs you take, including aspirin, herbs, vitamins, and other nonprescription products.
When You Use This Drug [top]
How to Use This Drug [top]
Interactions with Other Drugs [top]
Evaluations of Drug Interactions 2003 lists no drugs, biologics (e.g., vaccines, therapeutic antibodies), or foods as causing “highly clinically significant” or “clinically significant” interactions when used together with the drugs in this section. We also found no interactions in the drugs’ FDA-approved professional package inserts. However, as the number of new drugs approved for marketing increases and as more experience is gained with these drugs over time, new interactions may be discovered.
Adverse Effects [top]
Call your doctor immediately if you experience:
Call your doctor if these symptoms continue:
Signs of overdose:
If you suspect an overdose, call this number to contact your poison control center: (800) 222-1222.
Periodic Tests[top]
Ask your doctor which of these tests should be done periodically while you are taking this drug:
last reviewed October 31, 2023
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