Compare Valtrex vs Acyclovir

Compare Valtrex

vs Acyclovir

Compare Valtrex to Acyclovir. To make a decision about Valtrex vs Acyclovir, click here for a Medication Risk Map to help you select Valtrex or Acyclovir

Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Valtrex.
Click here for Drug Interactions and Side Effects of Acyclovir.
Click here to see the effects of combining Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Uses of Valtrex

Valtrex is also known by the generic name Valacyclovir

USES:
Valacyclovir is used in children to treat cold sores (herpes labialis) and chickenpox (varicella zoster). It is used in adults to treat cold sores and shingles (herpes zoster). Valacyclovir does not cure these diseases, but it may decrease pain and help sores heal faster. Valacyclovir belongs to a class of medications known as antivirals.

Valacyclovir is also used to treat people with genital herpes who are currently having an outbreak. It can also be used to prevent an outbreak (suppressive therapy). This medication helps control symptoms, but does not cure the disease or prevent infection of sexual partners.

If you are taking valacyclovir for treatment of genital herpes, it is important to follow safe sex practices to lower the chance of giving herpes to your partner, even if there are no symptoms present. Always use a condom made of latex or polyurethane. When you have symptoms or are experiencing an outbreak, do not have sexual contact with your partner.

Uses of Acyclovir

USES:
Acyclovir is used to treat infections caused by certain types of viruses. It treats cold sores around the mouth (caused by herpes simplex), shingles (caused by herpes zoster), and chickenpox.

This medication is also used to treat outbreaks of genital herpes. In people with frequent outbreaks, acyclovir is used to help reduce the number of future episodes.

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug. However, it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks. Acyclovir decreases the severity and length of these outbreaks. It helps the sores heal faster, keeps new sores from forming, and decreases pain/itching. This medication may also help reduce how long pain remains after the sores heal. In addition, in people with a weakened immune system, acyclovir can decrease the risk of the virus spreading to other parts of the body and causing serious infections.

Valtrex and Acyclovir Have 9 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects in Common

Critical Seriousness - Life Threatening Allergic Reaction - Anaphylaxis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Any Disorder of the Brain - Encephalopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Erythema Multiforme is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Coma is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased Blood Platelets - Thrombocytopenic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Seizures - Seizure Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Giant Hives - Angioedema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Hives - Urticaria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Kidney Failure - Renal Failure is a Life Threatening Side Effect of both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Valtrex Has 4 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Acyclovir

Critical Seriousness - Trouble Breathing - Dyspnea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased Neutrophils a Type of White Blood Cell - Neutropenic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - High Blood Pressure - Hypertension is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Painful Periods - Dysmenorrhea is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Acyclovir Has 21 Life Threatening (Major) Side Effects Not Found in Valtrex

Critical Seriousness - Anemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Bloody Urine - Hematuria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Stevens-Johnson Syndrome is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Itching - Pruritus of Skin is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Hallucination - Hallucinations is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Abnormal Liver Function Tests - Abnormal Hepatic Function Tests is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Decreased White Blood Cells - Leukopenia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Confused - Impaired Cognition is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Mental Disorder with Loss of Normal Personality & Reality - Psychotic Disorder is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Delirium is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Fluid Retention in the Legs, Feet, Arms or Hands - Peripheral Edema is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - High Amount of Bilirubin in the Blood - Hyperbilirubinemia is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Problems with Eyesight - Visual Changes is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Hepatitis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Fever is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Yellowing of Skin or Eyes from Liver Problems - Jaundice is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Difficulty Speaking - Dysarthria is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Aggressive Behavior is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Rash - Skin Rash is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Critical Seriousness - Swollen Lymph Nodes - Lymphadenopathy is a Life Threatening Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir.

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Life Threatening Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Valtrex and Acyclovir Have 0 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects in Common

Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Valtrex Has 2 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Acyclovir

Head Pain - Headache Disorder is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir. Feel Like Throwing Up - Nausea is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Valtrex but not Acyclovir. Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Acyclovir Has 1 Most Frequently Occurring Side Effects Not Found in Acyclovir

Not Feeling Well - Malaise is a Frequently Occurring Side Effect of Acyclovir but not Valtrex. Click for a searchable interactive map of all Side Effects associated with Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Valtrex and Acyclovir Treat 15 Conditions in Common

Recurrent Genital Herpes - Recurrent Herpes Genitalis is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Shingles - Herpes Zoster is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Chickenpox is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection - Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Prevent Shingles in Patients Without a Normal Immune System - Prevention of Herpes Zoster in Immunocompromised Patient is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Genital Herpes - Herpes Genitalis is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Treatment to Prevent Cytomegalovirus Disease - Prevention of Cytomegalovirus Disease is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Cold Sore - Herpes Labialis is treated by both Valtrex and Acyclovir.

Valtrex has 4 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Valtrex.

Valtrex Oral Contraindications
(grouped by decreasing seriousness level)

Absolute Contraindications

Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome - Syndrome characterized by Anemia and Renal Failure is a contraindication of Valtrex.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura is a contraindication of Valtrex.

Relative Contraindications

Dehydration - Extreme Loss of Body Water is a contraindication of Valtrex.

Renal Disease with Moderate to Severe Function Impairment - Moderate to Severe Kidney Impairment is a contraindication of Valtrex.

Acyclovir has 2 Condition Contraindications

If you have any of these Conditions then you should carefully evaluate the risks of taking Acyclovir. Acyclovir Oral Contraindications (grouped by decreasing seriouosness level) Relative Contraindications Dehydration - Extreme Loss of Body Water is a contraindication of Acyclovir. Renal Disease - Kidney Disease is a contraindication of Acyclovir.

Valtrex - Symptoms of overdose may include
change in the amount of urine, sluggishness, loss of consciousness, seizures.

Acyclovir - Symptoms of overdose may include
change in the amount of urine, extreme tiredness, agitation, loss of consciousness, seizures.

Contact poison control
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.