Learn which drugs, supplements, and foods interact with valacyclovir (Valtrex). Our doctors explain the top interactions to avoid and why kidney health matters. Valtrex Interactions There are 94 drugs known to interact with Valtrex (valacyclovir), along with 4 disease interactions. Of the total drug interactions, 25 are major, 63 are moderate, and 6 are minor. Valtrex is an antiviral drug used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses. Learn about side effects, interactions and indications. Valacyclovir (brand name: Valtrex) is an antiviral drug that's approved to treat infections caused by the herpes virus, like cold sores, genital herpes, shingles (herpes zoster), and chicken pox. While it can treat a range of herpes infections, it also interacts with certain drugs, alcohol, and pre-existing conditions may affect treatment too. Learn which medications are safe to take with Valtrex and which may require extra monitoring with answers to these questions about Valtrex interactions. Learn about Valtrex (valacyclovir) drug interactions in 2026. Which medications are unsafe to combine, which need monitoring, and what to tell your prescriber. Find patient medical information for Valacyclovir (Valtrex) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings Brand name i Valtrex Medically reviewed by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS Also reviewed by the HelloPharmacist Editorial Team Updated Oct 19, 2026 Details About Valacyclovir Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes infections. Read the full Valacyclovir drug information page → Can you drink alcohol while drinking valacyclovir? Although no drug interactions exist between alcohol and Valtrex, it is still best to avoid alcohol while taking the medication. Alcohol can impair your immune system, making your infection harder to treat. Further, both drinking and Valtrex can cause nausea, potentially worsening that side effect. Valacyclovir is a prescription drug available in oral tablet form. It is the generic version of the brand-name drug Valtrex. Doctors prescribe valacyclovir to treat infections caused by the herpes … Compare prices and find coupons for Valtrex, a prescription medication for viral infections, at various pharmacies. Save on costs with GoodRx. Easy-to-read patient tips for valacyclovir covering how it works, benefits, risks, and best practices. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions. COMMON BRAND NAME (S): Valtrex What should I tell my care team before I take this medication? They need to know if you have any of these conditions: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) Any other condition that may weaken the immune system Bone marrow or kidney transplant … Valaciclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat or prevent viral infections like shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes. It works by stopping viruses from multiplying, which reduces the severity of the infection. Take your tablets exactly as your doctor tells you, spacing doses evenly throughout the day. Drink plenty of fluids while taking valaciclovir to keep your kidneys working well … Valacyclovir Interactions There are 94 drugs known to interact with valacyclovir, along with 4 disease interactions. Of the total drug interactions, 25 are major, 63 are moderate, and 6 are minor. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles) and genital herpes. It does not cure herpes infections but decreases pain and itching, helps sores to heal, and prevents new ones from forming. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information. How should this medicine be used? VALTREX does not cure herpes infections (cold sores, shingles, or genital herpes). VALTREX has not been studied in children who have not reached puberty. What are cold sores, shingles, and genital herpes? Cold sores are caused by a herpes virus that may be spread by kissing or other physical contact with the infected area of the skin. Valtrex side effects: what to know before taking valacyclovir Valtrex (valacyclovir) can cause a range of side effects, which vary from mild to serious. Common side effects include abdominal pain, runny nose, scratchy throat, headache, nausea, and dizziness [10]. They can recommend whether you should take this drug. Other interactions and valacyclovir Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. In the following section you can learn whether valacyclovir oral tablet has these interactions. Brand Names: US Valtrex Brand Names: Canada AG-Valacyclovir; APO-Valacyclovir; Auro-Valacyclovir; JAMP Valacyclovir; MYLAN-Valacyclovir; NB-Valacyclovir; PMS-Valacyclovir; PRO-Valacyclovir; RIVA-Valacyclovir; SANDOZ Valacyclovir; TEVA-Valacyclovir; Valtrex What is this drug used for? It is used to treat shingles, cold sores, or certain other herpes infections. It is used to treat chickenpox … Valacyclovir comes as a tablet to take by mouth with or without food. It is 1 to 3 times a day depending on the condition being treated. for cold sores: take 2 doses twelve hours apart for shingles and chickenpox: take every 8 hours for 7 days to treat genital herpes: take twice a day for as long as your doctor tells you to take the medication to prevent outbreaks and stop the spread of … A phase IV clinical study of FDA data: drug interactions are found among 1,101 people who take Valtrex (valacyclovir hydrochloride) and Vitamins (ascorbic acid; biotin; cyanocobalamin; dexpanthenol; ergocalciferol; folic acid; niacinamide; pyridoxine hydrochloride; riboflavin phosphate sodium; thiamine hydrochloride; vitamin a; vitamin e). Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes zoster, or shingles, as well as recurrent episodes of genital herpes. Valacyclovir This information from UpToDate Lexidrug TM explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it's used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider. Discover the top Valtrex alternatives, including Zovirax, Famvir, and Denavir, plus OTC and lifestyle remedies for relief. Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used for treating infections caused by herpes simplex virus and varicella zoster virus, such as cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles, and chickenpox. It's available as a tablet. But it can be made by a compounding pharmacy into a suspension for people having trouble swallowing the tablets. Some more side effects of valacyclovir (Valtrex … What Should You Know About Valacyclovir Interactions? Learn about potential drug interactions with Valacyclovir and how to use it safely. Certain drugs and medications are known to interact with Valtrex (valacyclovir), most of which are moderate or minor interactions. Valacyclovir This information from UpToDate® LexidrugTM explains what you need to know about this medication, including what it's used for, how to take it, its side effects, and when to call your healthcare provider. Valacyclovir is a prescription drug used to treat certain herpes simplex virus infections. Learn about side effects of the drug and how to manage them. Key takeaways Valtrex (valacyclovir) is a prescription antiviral medication used to treat viral infections, such as cold sores, genital herpes, and shingles. Common side effects of Valtrex include headache, nausea, and stomach pain. Serious side effects are rare, including allergic reactions, kidney problems, and nervous system problems. The recommended dose of Valtrex varies depending on the indication. Get info on valacyclovir dosage for cold sores, shingles, and herpes zoster at GoodRx. In the US you can also buy a branded version of valacyclovir called Valtrex. Both are pharmaceutically the same – they contain the same active ingredient and are equally as effective. What is Herpes? To explain how valacyclovir works it helps to first understand what herpes is. Herpes is a family of viruses called herpes simplex viruses (HSV). What is Valtrex used for? Healthcare providers prescribe Valtrex to treat herpes infections in adults and children, including cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox. Valtrex does not cure herpes infections but instead shortens the duration of an active infection. Use Valtrex within 24 hours of an outbreak if you have recurrent genital herpes. If you have more than 1-2 genital herpes outbreaks a month, take Valtrex immediately after you notice a new outbreak. It's important to take Valacyclovir aggressively when you have recurrent herpes (as opposed to infrequent, occasional outbreaks) so that the medication can begin working to counteract herpes … VALACYCLOVIR (Generic for VALTREX) QTY 90 1000 MG Tablet Near 77381 Add to Medicine Chest Set Price Alert More Ways to Save VALACYCLOVIR (val ay SYE kloe veer) helps manage infections, such as cold sores, genital herpes, shingles, and chickenpox, caused by viruses. It will not treat colds, the flu, or infections caused by bacteria. Find drug information for Valacyclovir Hydrochloride on CVS.com, including related drug classes, side effects, dosage, and answers to frequently asked questions. Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral medication used for treating shingles, genital herpes, and cold sores. Common side effects of Valtrex include headache, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, cold symptoms, increased liver enzymes, reduction of white blood cells, diarrhea, rash, joint pain, and dizziness. Consult your doctor before taking Valtrex if pregnant or breastfeeding. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. Learn about side effects, drug interactions, dosages, warnings, and more.
