Valacyclovir is one of the widely-used antiviral medications. It helps in the treatment of herpes simplex or herpes zoster outbreak. Physicians use Valacyclovir to prevent cytomegalovirus following kidney transplants. Valacyclovir is available only with a valid prescription of a registered physician. But is valacyclovir an antibiotic? It is of use to have more insights into this.
Valacyclovir functions by blocking genital herpes flare-ups. This med combats the growth of herpes virus. It is available in both versions in the market: as a branded formulation as well as a generic drug. Cost remains a key difference between the branded and generic counterparts. Drugs sold as brands are costlier than generic versions. At times, dosage strengths rend to differ between these 2 versions of valacyclovir.
Is Valacyclovir an antibiotic?
Valacyclovir is not an antibiotic. Valacyclovir acts against virus but it is not effective treating infections bacteria cause. You need to know antibiotics are taken for bacterial infections, and are ineffective against viral conditions.
Valacyclovir belongs to a genre called antiviral meds. It does not let virus to multiply by stopping these multiplication capabilities of such microbes. Valacyclovir thus helps your system to fight efficiently against infections at a faster rate. Due to its antiviral properties, Valacyclovir also stops the viral strands from spreading to other sites.
Valacyclovir is used as part of combination therapy. You however need to know with which drugs you can take Valacyclovir without causing any serious drug interactions.
Valacyclovir mechanism of action
As you consume valacyclovir, your system rapidly converts it into acyclovir. This antiviral activity works against herpes virus. In order get into its active form, acyclovir - with the help of viral thymidine kinase - a virus-specific enzyme, gets into the cells infected by virus.
Acyclovir in its active form inhibits the virus from growing. This is done by blocking enzymes that create a new-viral DNA. Thus, this med prevents virus from spreading any further. In turn, your immune system stands charged to eliminate infections without much hassles.
Valacyclovir may not offer complete cure from the virus causing herpes. However, Valacyclovir minimises severity of symptoms caused by viral infections, reduces the duration of such infections, and also decreases the odds of transmissions from person to another (unaffected) individual.
Who should avoid taking Valacyclovir?
Before you plan to use Valacyclovir, you need to know this drug may cause a few allergic reactions. You may develop breathing difficulties (wheezing, panting or gasping), inflammation of your tongue, throat or other oral parts, etc. If such symptoms are seen, seek medical help immediately. In the US, you can dial 911 or visit your nearest medical emergency center. In Canada, you can rush to a poison control unit or call Health Canada without delay.
If you already experienced an allergic reaction using Valacyclovir, you must not attempt to take it again. It might turn out to be near-fatal or at times even fatal (causes death). In addition, if you have a kidney ailment, you must stay away from using this drug.
In general, your kidneys help eliminate excess-water or other forms of waste from your system. Likewise, your renal system helps flush medications you take as it discharges wastage off your body. When your kidneys for not function optimally, this med stays in your body for long. This can lead to more risks and health complications.
Valacyclovir – when taken as an overdosed mode - can cause damages to your kidneys. Beware of offering this drug to the elderly who liver with a compromised renal system. Older people may have the drug (and its active chemicals) for a longer time-span and this causes more side effects like dizziness, respiratory problems and pain while peeing.
In case of people living with HIV AIDS – especially at an advanced stage or of you have a history of kidney transplant, bone marrow dysfunction, etc., you may be at an added risk of these conditions: Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) and Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS). These medical conditions can cause a severe drop in your count of platelets. You are likely to witness a marked drop in red blood cells.
What precautions you need to take while taking Valacyclovir?
Valacyclovir is labelled as a category B pregnancy med. Pregnant women who plan to take Valacyclovir need to discuss about the safety of this drug prior to use.
Category B drugs are labelled thus based on research done on pregnant animals. Animal-based studies reveal no major harm caused to the fetus. However, full-fledged clinical data is not evidenced. Also, sufficient information is not available to prove the safety of Valacyclovir for human fetus. Therefore, you can take Valacyclovir only after your physician’s consent, and only if it is direly needed. Your treating doctor will prescribe this med only if the benefits outweigh the risks. Caveat: You need to consult with your caregiving team if you are already pregnant or have become pregnant while taking Valacyclovir.
Valacyclovir - at times - may not go well with breastfeeding women or those nursing an infant. Medicinal effects may pass through mother’s milk to your newborn. This can cause a few serious side effects for your infant. Your baby may develop sleeping problems, feeding difficulties or may cry too often. You need to consult with your physician before using Valacyclovir on breastfeeding mothers.
Medical conditions Valacyclovir treats
Valacyclovir is efficient in treating few medical conditions. They include herpes virus infections, including herpes labialis (cold sores), herpes zoster (shingles), and herpes simplex (genital herpes) especially in adults. Valacyclovir efficiently treats chickenpox and cold sores in children. Patients suffering from kidney disease, mild and acute renal impairment, etc. use Valacyclovir.
A higher dose of Valacyclovir is given for HIV-positive patients. Valacyclovir is also best for treating genital herpes in pregnant women. Using Valacyclovir can prevent any virus transmission from the mother to the baby i.e. newborn.
You can always check with your caregiver about Valacyclovir and its usage. Your caregiver will prescribe the right amount of Valacyclovir you require.
Upon taking Valacyclovir, if you experience any uncommon side effects, you should immediately contact your caregiver and seek medical help. Lastly, it is unwise to ignore adverse effects – if any, Valacyclovir triggers in your system.