Zovirax vs. Valtrex

• Are Zovirax and Valtrex the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Zovirax?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Valtrex?
• What is Zovirax?
• What is Valtrex?
• What Drugs Interact with Zovirax?
• What Drugs Interact with Valtrex?
• How Should Zovirax Be Taken?
• How Should Valtrex Be Taken?

Zovirax (acyclovir) and Valtrex (valacyclovir) are antiviral medications that interfere with the replication of herpes viruses and are used to treat shingles, chickenpox, cold sores, and genital herpes.

Common side effects of Zovirax include:

• nausea,
• vomiting,
• diarrhea,
• loss of appetite,
• stomach pain,
• headache,
• lightheadedness,
• swelling in your hands and feet,
• and feeling unwell (malaise).

Serious side effects of Zovirax include renal function problem.

Common side effects of Valtrex include:

• headache,
• dizziness,
• tired feeling,
• depression,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• stomach pain,
• joint pain,
• menstrual pain,
• skin rash,
• stuffy nose,
• or sore throat.

Zovirax (acyclovir) is a synthetic nucleoside analogue that interferes with the replication of herpes viruses used to treat

• shingles,
• chickenpox,
• and genital herpes.

Valtrex (valacyclovir) is an antiviral medication used to treat infections with:

• herpes zoster (shingles),
• herpes simplex genitalis (genital herpes),
• and herpes labialis (cold sores).

Zovirax may interact with probenecid. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

Valtrex may interact with digoxin, diuretics (water pills), blood thinners, antifungal medications such as ketoconazole, antibiotics such as ampicillin, iron, or methotrexate, and HIV or AIDS medications such as atazanavir and nelfinavir.

Valtrex may interact with, lithium, methotrexate, pain or arthritis medicines, medicines used to treat ulcerative colitis, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, IV antibiotics, antiviral medicines, or cancer medicines. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use.

 

Zovirax tablets are available in 200, 400 and 800 mg strengths and as a liquid suspension with 200 mg strength per 5 ml. Usual doses are 800 mg every 4 hours, 5 times a day for 10 days for shingles; doses for genital herpes infection are the same interval but start with 200 mg. Doses for chickenpox is the same as shingles except it goes for only 5 days for adults; for children ages 2 and up are weight based (20 mg per Kg) up to 40 Kg, 5 times a day for 5 days. Over 40 Kg, the person gets the adult dose for 5 days.

The dose of Valtrex depends on the condition being treated. Valtrex is taken as caplets that may be taken with or without food.