Valzost 500 mg Tablets

VALZOST is used:

• For the treatment of herpes zoster (shingles);
• To reduce the duration of pain associated with shingles;
• For the episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes in patients with normal immune systems;
• For the prevention of recurrent herpes simplex infection of the skin and mucous membrane of the ano-genital area.

Do not take VALZOST:

• If you are allergic to valaciclovir, aciclovir, or any of the other ingredients of VALZOST;
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Take special care with VALZOST:

• If you have impaired kidney function;
• If you have advanced HIV disease;
• If you had a bone marrow or kidney transplant;
• Caution should be exercised when administering VALZOST to elderly patients. Dose reduction is recommended for elderly patients with kidney problems;
• If you are taking other medication that has an effect on the kidneys.

Taking VALZOST with food and drink:

VALZOST can be taken with or without food.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Safety of VALZOST in pregnant and lactating women has not been established. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding your baby, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional for advice before taking this medicine.

Driving and using machinery

VALZOST may cause dizziness and problems with your vision. If affected, do not drive or operate machinery.

Always take VALZOST exactly as your doctor has instructed you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. If you have the impression that the effect of VALZOST is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

VALZOST may be given with or without food. Dosage in adults varies depending on the treatment you require as instructed by your doctor. Dosage must be altered depending on the kidney function. Dose modification is not required in patients with mild to moderate liver abnormalities. No data is available for dosage in children.

In the event of overdose, consult your doctor or pharmacist. If neither is available, contact the nearest hospital or poison control centre.

If you forget to take VALZOST, do not take a double dose to make up for forgotten individual doses.

VALZOST can have side effects. Kidney failure and nervous system problems are infrequent, but can be serious in some patients taking VALZOST. Nervous system problems include aggressive behaviour, unsteady movement, shaky movements, confusion, speech problems, hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are really not there), seizures, and coma. Always tell your healthcare provider if you have kidney problems before taking VALZOST. Call your doctor right away if you get a nervous system problem while you are taking VALZOST.

Frequent side effects of VALZOST in adults include headache, nausea, stomach pain, vomiting, and dizziness. Other less frequent side effects in adults include painful periods in women, joint pain, depression, low blood cell counts, and changes in tests that measure how well the liver and kidneys work. The most common side effect seen in children < 18 years of age was headache. Talk to your healthcare provider if you develop any side effects that concern you. Not all side effects reported for VALZOST are included in this leaflet. Should your general health worsen or if you experience any untoward effects while taking VALZOST, please consult your doctor, pharmacist or other health care professional for advice.

Store at or below 30 °C. Keep HDPE containers tightly closed. Keep the blisters in the carton until required for use. STORE ALL MEDICINES OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. Return all unused medicine to your pharmacist.

Do not dispose of unused medicine.