Is there a difference between valacyclovir and Valtrex?

Is there a difference between valacyclovir and Valtrex?

Valacyclovir (Valtrex) is also a prescription antiviral medication also indicated in the treatment of HSV and VZV. Valacyclovir is the L-valyl ester of acyclovir. More simply put, it is considered the prodrug of acyclovir.

Is valacyclovir safe to take while pregnant?

Suppressive treatment drugs in pregnancy Long-term suppressive therapy can significantly reduce these outbreaks and is likely safe during pregnancy. Acyclovir (Zovirax) and valacyclovir (Valtrex) are the drugs most commonly used for herpes outbreak suppression and treatment during pregnancy.

Does Valtrex have any effect on pregnancy?

Answer Studies have shown that the use of acyclovir or valacyclovir is not associated with an increase in birth defects. Limited data exist for famciclovir and therefore it would not be considered a first-line choice for treatment of herpes during pregnancy.

Which is more effective valacyclovir or acyclovir?

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that can treat herpes infections. Valacyclovir is a similar medication that also treats herpes infections. Once you take valacyclovir your body converts it into acyclovir before it gets to work. Your body absorbs valacyclovir more effectively than acyclovir though.

Is generic valacyclovir as effective as Valtrex?

Valacyclovir is a generic drug, which is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs. Valacyclovir is available as a brand-name drug called Valtrex.

What is the difference between Valtrex and acyclovir?

(Acyclovir itself is available as a topical, oral, and intravenous medication.) Valtrex thus is active against the same viruses as acyclovir, but Valtrex has a longer duration of action than acyclovir and can be taken fewer times each day.

Can valacyclovir cause miscarriage?

Does taking acyclovir/valacyclovir increase the chance for miscarriage? Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy. Studies have not found an increased chance for miscarriage following acyclovir use.

Is Valtrex safe in first trimester?

This large nationwide historical cohort study found no association between exposure to acyclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir in the first trimester of pregnancy and the risk of any major birth defect.

What is the generic brand for valacyclovir?

Valacyclovir is the generic form of the brand Valtrex®. Both medications work similarly in the body. Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that is used to treat oral herpes and genital herpes, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2).

Are all antivirals the same?

Antiviral drugs are a class of medication used for treating viral infections. Most antivirals target specific viruses, while a broad-spectrum antiviral is effective against a wide range of viruses. Unlike most antibiotics, antiviral drugs do not destroy their target pathogen; instead they inhibit its development.

Can you take valacyclovir in first trimester?

Conclusion: Use of acyclovir in the first trimester does not increase birth defects, and it should be the antiviral drug of choice in early pregnancy.