Studies have shown that valacyclovir has a 55% higher bioavailability than acyclovir.Research also found that people with HSV 2 (which causes genital herpes) were 50% less likely to transfer the virus to sexual partners compared to people who didn’t take the drug.Valacyclovir usually works immediately when taken during an outbreak and you should see some relief within 48 to 72 hours. Not everyone is going to become dangerously dizzy or suffer liver damage as a result.Still, you should steer clear of combining alcohol and Valtrex. How effective is it and can you drink alcohol while on the medication?Valacyclovir (also known by the brand name Valtrex) has been available since 1995 and is commonly used to treat herpes simplex (oral and genital), herpes zoster (shingles) and chickenpox in children.Valacyclovir does not cure or prevent herpes simplex type 1 (HSV 1) or type 2 (HSV 2), but it does effectively contain and prevent outbreaks.
New? You can in moderation drink alcohol and take decongestants. Because Valtrex and the immune system work as a team, drinking alcohol may decrease the effectiveness of the treatment. Valacyclovir: The company suggest that you should be well hydrated when taking valacyclovir, and use of alcohol, especially heavy use, will cause dehydration. This is particularly important if you’re using the medication during a herpes or shingles outbreak, at which time you might also experience significant symptoms from the outbreak itself. Valacyclovir is an antiviral medication that is used to treat a variety of herpes viruses including oral herpes and genital herpes.People who experience signs of genital herpes more often can use valacyclovir on a daily basis to contain outbreaks. 90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or …
This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain. Connect by text or video with a U.S. board-certified doctor now — wait time is less than 1 minute!We are asking our website visitors to consent to the use of cookies by HealthTap to continue to our website. Labial herpes (cold sores), herpes zoster (shingles), and herpes simplex (genital herpes) can all be treated using valacyclovir.While Valtrex is effective for limiting outbreaks, speeding up recovery, and, in some cases,  – People who experience rare outbreaks may use the drug as needed to treat infections. There are no specific warnings about drinking alcohol while taking Valtrex, but you should speak with your doctor, and it may be best to avoid alcohol when using this treatment. Drinking alcohol can significantly slow down the rate at which shingles heals, as well as potentially interfering with pain medications often used in shingles treatment.Your body's reaction to the medication varies greatly depending on a few things—valacyclovir dosage, your body's immune system, the stage and severity of your outbreak, and what kind of herpes outbreak you're experiencing, to name a few—but as a general rule, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol while you’re taking valacyclovir, especially if you’re using it to treat symptoms and speed up the healing process during a herpes or shingles outbreak.This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Most articles are medically reviewed. Increased feelings of fatigue may be experienced with long-term drinking while on Valtrex.– Valtrex is also liable to cause certain emotional side effects, like depression and irritability (). As with most prescription drugs, you must take special precautions when taking valacyclovir. But should you do it?While there may be no official contraindication concerning Valtrex and alcohol, many doctors warn against it for two main reasons. Not Advised: It is not advised to drink alcohol when you are ill regardless if you are on medication or not. Drug interaction with any of these substances may enhance or decrease the effect of Telmisartan. Naturally, you can see how combining the two might make things worse.While alcohol and Valtrex do not directly interact, taking them together may impact your health. Drinking while taking Valtrex puts your liver and kidneys into overdrive, leading to potentially detrimental outcomes.The good news is that valacyclovir moves through your system rather quickly. But people who suffer frequent herpes outbreaks can benefit from taking a lower dose of valacyclovir long-term.The drug works by slowing the rate of reproduction of the virus and thereby preventing the spreading of herpes. Can you drink alcohol while taking Valtrex (valacyclovir) for genital herpes? https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valacyclovir-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066635. Get common compassion for a common condition. Accessed May 16, 2019. Accessed May 16, 2019. This drug has risks. In rare instances, valacyclovir may cause damage to these organs (). Your body will basically heal faster if you do not drink alcohol whilst taking prescription medications.Scientists have found that high levels of stress are coupled with recurring herpes outbreaks. Many people also drink more when they are severely stressed which further affects the body’s ability to heal.There are currently no clinical studies that have assessed whether taking antivirals and alcohol are safe taken together. Reducing the risk of transmitting genital herpes: advances in understanding and therapy, Current Medical Research and Opinion, 21:10, 1577-1582, DOI: 10.1185/030079905X61901. People who mix the two substances increase their chances of becoming immediately ill.– These shared common side effect may be more concerning. Drinking alcohol can make the antibiotic ineffective.