Valtrex

Chickenpox, Herpes Labialis, Genital Herpes + 5 more

Treatment

20 Active Studies for Valtrex

What is Valtrex

Valaciclovir

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Valaciclovir (also known as Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used to treat and manage various herpes infections. It was approved by the FDA in 1995 and is part of a drug class that is used to treat HIV, hepatitis, and other viral infections. Valaciclovir is especially effective in treating genital herpes, a common sexually transmitted disease that affects over 400 million people worldwide. Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus and can never be cured, but Valaciclovir can help reduce or manage outbreaks.

Valtrex

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Valtrex Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Valtrex

Valaciclovir

1995

231

Effectiveness

How Valtrex Affects Patients

Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug that can work against a range of viruses, including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Clinical studies have shown that valacyclovir works best when taken within 72 hours of symptom onset. For cold sores, taking a 1-day regimen of valacyclovir (2 grams twice a day) or a 2-day regimen (2 grams twice daily for two days

How Valtrex works in the body

Valacyclovir works in three ways to fight off viruses like herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus. First, it stops the virus from replicating its genetic material by blocking its DNA polymerase enzyme. Second, it prevents the virus from making new DNA by ending any DNA chains it's already started. Lastly, it stops the virus from making new copies of its DNA polymerase enzyme. Valacyclovir is most effective at blocking herpes simplex virus because it has a stronger affinity for a specific enzyme called thymidine kinase which is only present in virus-infected cells.

When to interrupt dosage

The proposed dosage of Valtrex is contingent upon the recognized disorder, such as Genital Herpes, Herpes Labialis and Chickenpox. The measure of dosage will be contingent upon the approach of delivery (e.g. Oral or Tablet, film coated - Oral) as indicated in the accompanying table.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Herpes Genitalis

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Chickenpox

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Genital Herpes

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Herpes Labialis

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Shingles

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

HIV

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Genital Herpes

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Genital Herpes

, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg

, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral

Warnings

Valtrex has two contraindications; therefore, it should not be consumed when dealing with the conditions presented in the following table.

Valtrex Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Valaciclovir may interact with Pulse Frequency

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Valaciclovir may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Valtrex.

Common Valtrex Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Neomycin

Major

The risk or severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased when Valaciclovir is combined with Neomycin.

Tenofovir

Major

Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir.

Tenofovir alafenamide

Major

Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir alafenamide.

Tenofovir disoproxil

Major

Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir disoproxil.

Abacavir

Minor

Valaciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.

Valtrex Toxicity & Overdose Risk

The lowest toxic dose of valacyclovir in rats is 903.5 mg/kg. Studies have not shown any link between taking valacyclovir and a higher risk of cancer or birth defects in pregnant women. However, valacyclovir is secreted in breastmilk, so caution is advised when taking it while nursing. Elderly patients and those with decreased kidney function may be at risk of developing toxicity from valacyclovir, which can cause changes in the central nervous system such as confusion, agitation, difficulty speaking, and psychosis. It is recommended that the dose of this drug be reduced in

image of a doctor in a lab doing drug, clinical research

Valtrex Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Valtrex?

62 active trials are currently assessing the potential of Valtrex to reduce symptoms of Herpes Labialis, Genital Herpes and other Genital Herpes-related illnesses.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Genital Herpes

0 Actively Recruiting

HIV

40 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Early Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 4

Herpes Labialis

0 Actively Recruiting

Genital Herpes

0 Actively Recruiting

Chickenpox

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 4, Phase 3

Genital Herpes

0 Actively Recruiting

Shingles

4 Actively Recruiting

Phase 2, Phase 1

Herpes Genitalis

0 Actively Recruiting

Valtrex Reviews: What are patients saying about Valtrex?

5

Patient Review

1/22/2016

Valtrex for Shingles

I've been struggling with shingles for the last five years, and my doctor recommended Valtrex as a way to manage future outbreaks. I was really pleased with how well it worked; although it didn't completely remove the pain, it significantly reduced the duration of my symptoms.

5

Patient Review

6/3/2021

Valtrex for Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection in HIV

This medicine is very effective and has no side effect

5

Patient Review

11/16/2016

Valtrex for Shingles

I'm really glad I found this stuff- it's helped me a lot.

4

Patient Review

10/14/2016

Valtrex for Shingles

Valtrex was very effective at reducing the pain associated with my shingles diagnosis. I didn't experience much itching, but it definitely helped with the overall discomfort.

4

Patient Review

7/1/2021

Valtrex for Treatment to Prevent Cytomegalovirus Disease

This treatment is effective and doesn't have any negative side effects that I've experienced.

3.7

Patient Review

11/20/2015

Valtrex for Shingles

Though this medication has helped with the shingles rash, I unfortunately have experienced very uncomfortable stomach pains and nausea as a side effect.

2.7

Patient Review

5/8/2018

Valtrex for Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection

I experienced double vision while taking this medication.

1.7

Patient Review

7/9/2022

Valtrex for Cold Sore

Unfortunately, this medication had the opposite effect of what I was hoping for. Not only did it not limit or kill the Herpes Virus, but it actually accelerated it. Within a few days of taking Valtrex, I went from one cold sore on my lower lip to having over 45 cold sores covering my entire face. This is a very strange reaction that is not unique, although my physician had not heard of it prior to my experience with this medication.

1

Patient Review

12/2/2015

Valtrex for Shingles

I had a terrible experience with this drug. I was diagnosed with shingles and took the medication, which caused me to have uncontrollable shaking, chills, and diarrhea. I'm glad I didn't have to go to the ER, but I definitely will not be taking this again.

1

Patient Review

1/12/2021

Valtrex for Genital Herpes

There is, unfortunately, no cure for genital herpes.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about valtrex

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is Valtrex used for?

"Valacyclovir is a medication used to treat herpes virus infections, including cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes in adults."

Answered by AI

When should you take Valtrex?

"If you start taking valacyclovir within 48 hours of the first appearance of shingles or genital herpes symptoms, it will be most effective. For recurrent genital herpes outbreaks, valacyclovir is most effective if taken within 24 hours of symptom onset."

Answered by AI

What happens when you take Valtrex?

"Valacyclovir may cause several potential side effects, the most common of which are vomiting, diarrhea, headache and nausea (affecting more than one percent of users). Less common side effects (affecting less than one percent of users) include vertigo and dizziness."

Answered by AI

How long does it take Valtrex to work?

"It may take up to a week or more for some people to feel relief from their symptoms after taking Valtrex, while others may feel relief after just a day or two. Factors such as age, the severity of your symptoms, and your metabolism can affect how long it takes for your symptoms to go away."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Valtrex

Image of Midway Immunology and Research Center (1503) in Ft. Pierce, United States.

Islatravir + Ulonivirine for HIV

18+
All Sexes
Ft. Pierce, FL

Researchers are looking for new ways to treat HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1). The usual (standard) treatment for HIV-1 is antiretroviral therapy (ART), which includes taking medicines to lower the amount of HIV-1 in the body. Standard ART helps people live longer, but people must take up to 3 medicines up to twice a day. Standard ART may also cause other health problems. Researchers want to know if a study ART works as well as a standard ART to treat HIV-1. The study ART combines 2 medicines, islatravir and ulonivirine, and is taken once a week. The goals of this study are to learn: 1) If the study ART works as well as a standard ART to treat HIV-1, and 2) About the safety of the study ART and if people tolerate it compared to a standard ART.

Phase 2 & 3
Recruiting

Midway Immunology and Research Center (1503) (+5 Sites)

Medical Director

Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Image of UCSF Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital in San Francisco, United States.

MucoCept-CVN for HIV Prevention

18 - 45
Female
San Francisco, CA

MucoCept-CVN uses a Lactobacillus strain native to the human vagina that is modified into a live biotherapeutic product (LBP) that continuously expresses a potent anti-HIV drug. If research shows that MucoCept-CVN is safe and effective, it could become a self-renewing, female-initiated prevention product for women that promotes vaginal health and provides protection from HIV. The goal of this first-in-human Phase 1 dose-ranging, randomized, placebo-controlled study of MucoCept-CVN is to collect data on safety, colonization, changes to the vaginal microbiota and clearance of the strain with antibiotics. Twelve healthy women will be enrolled and take either one or three doses of MucoCept-CVN or placebo, and a week later will receive antibiotics to clear the Lactobacillus strain. If research shows that MucoCept-CVN is safe and effective, it could become a self-renewing, long-acting, female-initiated prevention product for women that promotes vaginal health and provides protection from HIV.

Phase 1
Waitlist Available

UCSF Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital

Craig Cohen, MD, MPH

Osel, Inc.

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Image of University of Alabama Medical Center (Site ID: 31788) in Birmingham, United States.

DV700P-RNA + DV701B1.1-RNA for HIV

18 - 55
All Sexes
Birmingham, AL

This is a phase 1, first-in-human (FIH) trial for two vaccines, DV700P-RNA and DV701B1.1-RNA. This means it is the first time these study products are being tested in people. The purpose of this study is to see if the study products are safe, if people are able to take them without becoming too uncomfortable, and how a person's immune system responds to them (a person's immune system protects them from infections and disease). Forty-five volunteers without HIV and in overall good health, aged 18 to 55 years, will be enrolled and be in this study for about 16 months (about 12 visits), Study procedures will include blood draws, injections, and the collection of white blood cells and cells from their lymph nodes.

Phase 1
Waitlist Available

University of Alabama Medical Center (Site ID: 31788) (+11 Sites)

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SGLT2 Inhibitors for Metabolic Diseases

45 - 75
Female
Boston, MA

Women with HIV have an increased risk of having a myocardial infarction (heart attack) as compared to women without HIV. One of the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of myocardial infarction among women with HIV may involve reduced ability to increase blood flow through large and small coronary arteries at times when increased flow of oxygen-carrying blood is needed. We are conducting a study randomizing women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both to health education alone or to health education plus referral to see either an Endocrinologist or a Nephrologist in a subspecialty clinic for consideration of treatment with medication in a class known as sodium glucose transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. SGLT2 inhibitors are clinically approved for use in patients with diabetes or chronic kidney disease but have been shown to be underutilized in people with HIV. One of our key analytic aims will be to test if SGLT2 inhibitor therapy results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among women with HIV and either diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or both but who have no history of myocardial infarction. A second aim will be to test if subspecialty clinic referral (with or without SGLT2 inhibitor therapy prescription) results in improved blood flow through the large and small coronary arteries among the same group.

Phase 2
Recruiting

Massachusetts General Hospital

Markella V Zanni, MD

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