VACLOVIR ® - HERPES ZOSTER AND HERPES LABIALIS
VACLOVIR ®
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for Herpes Zoster and Herpes Labialis
valaciclovir (as hydrochloride)
Consumer Medicine Information

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about VACLOVIR. It does not contain all of the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking VACLOVIR against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with your medicine.
You may need to read it again.

What VACLOVIR is used for

VACLOVIR belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals.
VACLOVIR is used for the treatment of shingles (herpes zoster), ophthalmic zoster (shingles affecting the eye region) and cold sores (herpes labialis).
VACLOVIR works by stopping the multiplication of the virus which causes shingles and cold sores. It can reduce the length and severity of an outbreak of shingles or cold sores and the duration of pain associated with shingles and cold sores. It is important the treatment for shingles is started within the first 3 days of the shingles attack.
For the treatment of cold sores, VACLOVIR should be taken at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g. tingling, itching or burning).
VACLOVIR is more effective in patients 50 years of age and older.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why this medicine has been prescribed for you.
Your doctor may have prescribed it for another reason.
This medicine is not addictive.

Before you take VACLOVIR

When you must not take it

Do not take VACLOVIR if you have an allergy to:
any medicine containing valaciclovir or aciclovir
any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet
Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include:
shortness of breath
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or are trying to become pregnant.
It may affect your developing baby if you take it during pregnancy.
Do not breast-feed if you are taking this medicine.
Your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of taking VACLOVIR when pregnant or whilst breastfeeding.
Do not give this medicine to children.
There is not enough information to recommend the use of VACLOVIR in children.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date printed on the pack or if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If it has expired or is damaged, return it to your pharmacist for disposal.
If you are not sure whether you should be taking this medicine, talk to your doctor.

Before you start to take it

Tell your doctor if you have allergies to any other medicines, foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had any of the following medical conditions:
you are anaemic (reduced red blood cells or iron levels)
Care should be taken to ensure adequate fluid intake occurs in patients who are at risk of dehydration, such as the elderly.
previous skin reactions with VACLOVIR which may include a rash, fever, facial swelling or blistering/peeling skin
you have a kidney or liver condition
you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the risk and benefit of taking VACLOVIR when pregnant.
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you start taking VACLOVIR.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you get without a prescription from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
medicines used to suppress the immune system following organ transplant such as mycophenolate mofetil, ciclosporin, tacrolimus
medicines used to treat bacterial infections such as aminoglycosides
medicines used in the treatment of some cancers such as organoplatinum compounds,
iodinated contrast media
methotrexate
medicines used to treat fungal infections such as pentamidine
other medicines used to treat the virus which causes shingles and cold sores such as foscarnet
These medicines may be affected by VACLOVIR or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines.
Some of the medicines above are commonly taken by transplant patients and require close attention.
Your doctor and pharmacist have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking this medicine.

How to take VACLOVIR

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully.
They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the box, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How much to take

Shingles
If you have been prescribed VACLOVIR 500 mg tablets, the normal dose to take is two tablets with water three times a day.
If you have been prescribed VACLOVIR 1000 mg tablets, the normal dose to take is one table with water three times a day.
If you think you have been advised to take a different dose, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Cold Sores
If you have been prescribed VACLOVIR 500 mg tablets, the normal dose to take is four tablets with water twice a day, for one day only. The second dose should be taken about 12 hours (and no fewer than 6 hours) after the first dose.
If you have been prescribed VACLOVIR 1000 mg tablets, the normal dose to take is two tablets with water twice a day, for one day only. The second dose should be taken about 12 hours (and no fewer than 6 hours) after the first dose.

How to take it

Swallow the tablets whole with a glass of water.
You should drink plenty of fluids while taking VACLOVIR, especially if you are elderly.

When to take it

It does not matter if you take this medicine before or after food.
Shingles
Take the tablets in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Cold Sores
Take the tablets at the earliest sign of symptoms of a cold sore (e.g. tingling, itching or burning).
Treatment for cold sores should not exceed 1 day (2 doses). Take the second dose at least 12 hours after the first dose.

How long to take it

Shingles
The usual course of treatment is seven days.
Do not stop taking VACLOVIR before the course of treatment is finished just because you feel better. The shingles may not be completely over.
Cold Sores
The course of treatment should not exceed 1 day (2 doses) and the doses should be taken at least 12 hours apart.

If you forget to take it

Shingles
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take it as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your medicine as you would normally.
Cold Sores
Take the second dose as soon as possible once 12 hours has passed.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.
If you miss more than one dose, or you are not sure what to do ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (telephone 13 11 26) for advice, or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much VACLOVIR. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
You may need urgent medical attention.
If you are not sure what to do, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

While you are taking VACLOVIR

Things you must do

Drink plenty of fluids while you are taking VACLOVIR.
If you are about to be started on any new medicine, remind your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking VACLOVIR.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who treat you that you are taking this medicine.
If you are going to have surgery, tell the surgeon or anaesthetist that you are taking this medicine.
It may affect other medicines used during surgery.
Tell your doctor if you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant or intend to breastfeed while you are taking VACLOVIR.
Tell your doctor if, for any reason, you have not taken your medicine exactly as prescribed.
Otherwise, your doctor may think that it was not effective and change your treatment unnecessarily.
If you are about to have any blood tests, tell your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
It may interfere with the results of some tests.
Keep all your doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked.
Your doctor may do some tests from time to time to make sure the medicine is working and to prevent unwanted side effects.

Things you must not do

Do not take VACLOVIR to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.
Do not give your medicine to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not stop taking your medicine or change the dose without checking with your doctor.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Side effects

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking this medicine, even if you do not think the problems relate to the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking VACLOVIR.
This medicine helps most people with herpes zoster or herpes labialis virus but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical attention if you get some of the side effects.
Do not be alarmed by the following list of side effects. You may not experience any of them.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
The most commonly reported side effects are:
headache
gastrointestinal discomfort (vomiting, nausea, diarrhoea, constipation, abdominal pain, indigestion)
You should tell your doctor or pharmacist if they become severe or troublesome.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dry mouth
fever
difficulty sleeping
chills
back pain
nervousness
skin rash which may be itchy
weakness
You should contact your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following side effects which are more common in patients with kidney disease or in those taking high doses of VACLOVIR:
sensitivity to UV light, such as development of a rash like sunburn even after short exposure to UV or sunlight
dizziness
confusion or imagining sights or sounds (hallucinations), difficulty in thinking
drowsiness
decreased consciousness
tiredness, dizziness, or being short of breath when exercising (signs of anaemia)
high blood pressure
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
damage to the kidney, which gets better when VACLOVIR treatment is stopped
unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any bruising or bleeding, as it may indicate that the number of platelets (a type of blood cell responsible for blood clotting) in your blood are reduced
skin reactions which may include a rash, fever, facial swelling or blistering or peeling skin
damage to the liver, which gets better when VACLOVIR treatment is stopped
agitation or tremor
uncoordinated muscle movements and speech or difficulty speaking
psychotic episodes
convulsions or seizures or coma
brain injury
symptoms of an allergic reaction including cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, throat or other parts of the body; rash, itching or hives on the skin
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some people.
Some of these side effects, for example changes in kidney or liver function, can only be found when your doctor does tests from time to time to check your progress.

After taking VACLOVIR

Storage

Keep your tablets in the pack or bottle until it is time to take them.
If you take the tablets out of the pack or bottle they may not keep well.
Keep your tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.
Do not store VACLOVIR, or any other medicine, in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it on a window sill or in a car.
Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it.
A locked cupboard at least one-and-a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking this medicine or the expiry date has passed, ask your pharmacist what to do with any medicine that is left over.

Product description

What it looks like

VACLOVIR tablets are white coloured, oval shaped, biconvex film coated tablet with break line on one side and plain on the other side.
VACLOVIR tablets are available in:
Blister packs of 10, 30 and 42 tablets.
Bottles of 30 tablets.

Ingredients

VACLOVIR contains 500 mg of valaciclovir as the active ingredient.
The tablets also contain:
microcrystalline cellulose
magnesium stearate
Opadry complete film coating system white OY-58900 (ARTG PI No: 3446)

Supplier

VACLOVIR is supplied by:
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
www.viatris.com.au
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in
December 2023.
 
Australian registration numbers:
VACLOVIR 500 mg tablets:
AUST R 153822 (blister pack)
AUST R 153823 (bottle)
 
VACLOVIR ® is a Viatris company trade mark
 
VACLOVIR_cmi_hzv_hlv\Dec23/00

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