Valtrex For Cold Sores: Side Effects And Precautions

In this article, we’ll discuss using Valtrex for cold sores; especially the side effects and precautions.

What Are Cold Sores?

Cold sores, also known as fever blisters, are a commonly occurring viral infection. A person who is diagnosed with cold sores can expect small liquid-infused blisters on and around their lips. There can either be a singular blister or a lump of them in the form of patches. The blisters can break due to constantly touching them or they can break naturally.

But once broken, a hard, flaky crust-like surface begins to form on the spot resulting in a cold sore. The transfer of cold sores can easily occur due to close contact or kissing a person who has HSV-1 (Herpes Simplex Virus) or HSV-2.

Common Symptoms

In some cases, one person may not have symptoms but yet have the virus. If this person is involved in any sexual interaction with another individual, the new individual can develop symptoms of Cold Sores despite the former not portraying any symptoms. Such is the contagious nature of this viral infection.

The very first symptom would be an itchy and tingling sensation on and around their lips. Gradually these itchy spots develop into fluid-filled blisters that can be painful and also look ugly. Eventually, these blisters can merge and burst open leaving a contagious fluid around the lips, along with an open sore.

Valtrex For Cold Sores

The best solution for cold sores is taking Valtrex. This infection cannot be cured by any medication, but it can definitely be brought under control by consuming Valtrex, also known as Valacyclovir. Valtrex functions by curbing the growth and spreading of the infection.

Usual dosage amounts range from 1800 to 2200 mg tablets take twice a day, spaced at an interval of 12 hours. 7 to 10 days of consuming this medicine in a periodic manner without missing any doses and one can expect their cold sore issue to be healed. Speaking of children below the age of 3, Valtrex cannot be used for their cold sores, but it can surely be used to treat Chickenpox in children.

Side Effects

You can consume Valtrex with or without food, it does not matter. Also, ensure you consume large amounts of water. This water shall support the kidneys in flushing out the metabolized drug from your body. If you follow this piece of advice, then the probability of getting any of the side effects mentioned below is ridiculously low:

• Headaches followed by dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain
• Gastrointestinal issues leading to diarrhea
• Hallucinations: hearing or seeing things that are not real / do not exist
• Slurring in speech and a sudden inability that drastically reduces lip movement
• Any kind of visible effects of pale skin increased vulnerability to infections, and fever means that the medicine has managed to harm your red blood cells
• Back pain in the section where the kidneys are located, exhaustion, and great effort in making urine. This can lead to kidney failure or risk of irreparable kidney damage
• A surge of random emotions at random times. Depression, shivering, confusion, seizures, and partial happiness can also occur. This indicates that the medicine has managed to cause some issues to your Central Nervous System (CNS)
• Swollen mouth, ulcers inside the mouth and throat, rashes on the face, and abnormal breathing patterns
• Do not consume any NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) medicines such as Naproxen or Ibuprofen as they directly affect the functioning of the kidneys. As Valtrex can already harm your kidneys, consuming any antibiotics for bowel disorders, injectable osteoporosis, aspirin, Advil, Aleve, etc. can further deteriorate the condition of your kidneys.

Although most of the side effects mentioned above are rare. The issue lies in the fact that if you do not follow the guidelines by the doctor and manufacturer, then you have a chance of getting any of the side effects.

Precautions

With every medicine you consume there are a bunch of precautions that you must take to ensure you stay in the best possible health and not interfere in the intended functionality of the medicines:

• Consult your doctor before administering these medicines. Valacyclovir can consist of inactive ingredients that can instill an allergy and lead to reactions or other problems in the body.
• Do not consume alcohol even in minimal amounts when you are under the influence of Valtrex. Both these compounds can mix up and lead to even more inflammation around the lips along with additional inflammation in the throat and mouth.
• If you are already consuming Foscarnet, Leflunomide, Teriflunomide, Tolvaptan, Dichlorophenamide, Fosphenytoin, Phenytoin, or Valproic Acid, then it is a must to consult a doctor before you begin your Valtrex dosage cycle. The doctor may offer alternatives, alter the dosage cycle, or make you completely stop taking either of the medicines after examining your medical history and current health condition.
• If you have ever undergone bone marrow transplantation, kidney transplantation, or any form of kidney disease (this makes it harder for the medicine to leave the body), mention it to the doctor. As there is a major correlation between Valtrex medications and medicines for these problems.
• If you are a victim of Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection you must mention it to the doctor.

This medicine should always be stored at room temperature and must also always be covered by either keeping it in a container or by keeping it in its original packaging material. Keep it away from heat, sunlight, moisture, and water as this can disintegrate the medicine and make it unfit for consumption.

Make sure you begin the application of Valtrex in the initial phases of your cold sores. This quickens the healing process by cutting it down to a period of 2 to 3 days, rather than baring the pain caused by the blister for a period of 7 to 10 days.

This also helps in reducing the risk of transmitting the HSV – 1 virus to other people. Alarmingly, data shows that 62 percent of individuals aged between 14 and 19 have the HSV – 1 (variation of HSV that causes cold sores). Children of these age groups have to face blistering pain on their lips followed by embarrassment amongst their friends.

Antiviral medication such as Valtrex (Valacyclovir) has time and again proven to be highly effective in speeding up the healing process.