What Are The Repercussions Of Taking Valacyclovir?

Posted on Mon, 19 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 19 Sep 2016 Answered on

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I accidentally took 2 valacyclovir about 1hour apart, it seemed to make me nervous as a cat and somewhat confused or at least not thinking clearly/excited and stumbling at times. I'm doing better now though think I also did not drink enough water throughout the time after taking it. If i start taking it in the am instead of pm and thus drink more water throughout the day, will that be enough and still lessen the chance of my passing hsv2 by shedd

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
This will be fine

Detailed Answer:
Hi and welcome to HCM.

If you took 2 dosages in 1 hour,it will not have any serious side effect. Just skip next dose and it will be fine. Also, it is considered that man is still infectious for 2 weeks after last dose of medication. you should at least 3 liter of fluids drink today to accelerate urination.

Wish you good health. Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (31 hours later)

I am male, 66yo. Contracted HSV2 in 1985To1988 as best I recall. In the last 5to10 years I if I had any outbreaks, there were pinhead sized and almost unnoticed. In the last 3 to 5 years I maybe had 1 of this tiny size which healed very easily. I started valacyclovir Friday 9/16/16. You say that I am infectious for 2 weeks after the last dose of meds. I plan to take valacyclovir indefinitely after my last this RX is done. I want to know1.how effective is valacyclovir in preventing shedding transmission and2. Is continuing to take valacyclovir going to put my health at risk and3 I have BPH is valacyclovir contraindicated to me for this reason?
4 will the continued use of valacyclovir lower (and by how much) the transmission of shedding by me?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
1. I don't suggest to take Vacyclovir as long as there are sores or burning pain and few days after it There is no need for longer use and it may have negative effect on liver and immune system.
Vacyclovir treatment reduces risk of infection for 80% after 3 days of usage. It is recommended not to have intercourse until sores are completely healed and 2 weeks after these heal you should still use condoms.
Vacyclovir will cause suppression of outbreak and those viruses on skin and sores will die and pull back, however, HSV live dormant in nerve roots and usually for lifetime and this cant be handled with vacyclovir. So the prolonged use of it will not kill all viruses and this is not required. It is important that sores heal and then you will not be contagious and this is usually achieved after 5-10 days of treatment.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (29 hours later)

I have give u my history and I feel like my questions are poorly answered, perhaps b/c I wasn't clear. I am trying to start a new relationship, the girl is afraid of my hsv2 because she had ovarian/uterine CA years ago and was told the virus could re-activate CA thus endangering her life which is also my concern. I have started taking valacyclovir as prophlactic, trying to reduce the chances of her contracting virus thru viral shedding. I have not had any blisters in the last 5-10 years and in the last 3-5 years only 2-3 pinhead sized scabs which healed quickly and were not painful and barely noticeable. I had a blood test, trying to assess how much hsv2 is present, value was 2.3or2.4:how effective will trying to reduce my asymptomatic shedding be, or is there some other medicine I can take prophylacticly to reduce the chances of Asymptomatic shedding?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back,
Let me clarify you on these further,

First of all, HSV virus can not reactivate tumor, there is no evidence for it.

Secondly, Acyclovir will reduce possibility of transmission, but also short episodes of genital herpes virus shedding occur frequently with antiviral therapy, even for high-dose regimens so transmission cant be 100% prevented.

Thirdly, there are no such medications. You can take only medicines for immune system improvement to prevent outbreaks.

Please let me know if there's any further queries.

Wish you good health
Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (16 hours later)

Please name the medicines that you say that enhance immune system improvement to prevent outbreaks. Are there herbals, vitamins, minerals or other po's that enhance immune system improvement to help pre outbreaks?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ivan Romich (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
hi

Detailed Answer:
These are standard supplements such as Vitamin C and E, B12, antioxidannts, Zinc,Omega 3 acids, seleneium...There are also multisubstancial proucts such as Chlorella, Immucor or Immuno. However if you diet include enough fruit and vegetables then these supplements are not required.
If you didnt have outbreak for several years then the possibility of presence of virus on genital area is minor and transmission risk is very low in general.

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng