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Read all of this leaflet carefully before you start taking this

medicine because it contains important information for you.

•    Keep this leaflet. You may need to read it again.

•    If you have any further questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

•    This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not pass it on to others. It may harm them, even if their signs of illness are the same as yours.

•    If you get any side effects talk to your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet.

What is in this leaflet

1.    What Valaciclovir tablets are and what they are used for

2.    What you need to know before you take Valaciclovir tablets

3.    How to take Valaciclovir tablets

4.    Possible side effects

5.    How to store Valaciclovir tablets

6.    Contents of the pack and other information

1. What Valaciclovir tablets are and what they are used for

Valaciclovir belongs to a group of medicines called antivirals. It

works by killing or stopping the growth of viruses called herpes

simplex (HSV), varicella zoster (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).

Valaciclovir can be used to:

•    treat shingles (in adults).

•    treat HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old). It is also used to help prevent these infections from returning.

•    treat cold sores (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).

•    prevent infection with CMV after organ transplants (in adults and adolescents over 12 years old).

•    treat and prevent HSV infections of the eye.

2. What you need to know before you take Valaciclovir tablets

Do NOT take Valaciclovir tablets

•    if you are allergic (hypersensitive) to valaciclovir or aciclovir or any of the other ingredients of Valaciclovir tablets (see section 6).

Do not take Valaciclovir if this applies to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Valaciclovir.

Warnings and precautions

Check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Valaciclovir if:

•    you have kidney problems

•    you have liver problems

•    you are over 65 years of age

•    your immune system is weak

If you are not sure if the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking valaciclovir.

Prevent passing genital herpes on to others

If you are taking Valaciclovir to treat or prevent genital herpes, or you have had genital herpes in the past, you should still practice safe sex, including the use of condoms. This is important to prevent you passing the infection on to others. You should not have sex if you have genital sores or blisters.

Other medicines and Valaciclovir

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines obtained without a prescription, including herbal medicines.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines that affect the kidneys. These include: aminoglycosides, organoplatinum compounds, iodinated contrast media, methotrexate, pentamidine, foscarnet, ciclosporin, tacrolimus, cimetidine and probenecid.

PACKAGE LEAFLET: INFORMATION FOR THE USER

Always tell your doctor or pharmacist about other medicines if you are taking Valaciclovir for treatment of shingles or after having an organ transplant.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Valaciclovir is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. If you are pregnant, or think you could be, or if you are planning to become pregnant, do not take Valaciclovir without checking with your doctor.

Your doctor will weigh up the benefit to you against the risk to your baby of taking Valaciclovir while you are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Driving and using machines

Valaciclovir can cause side effects that affect your ability to drive. Do not drive or use machines unless you are sure you are not affected.

3. How to take Valaciclovir tablets

Always take Valaciclovir tablets exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.

The dose that you should take will depend on why your doctor has prescribed Valaciclovir for you. Your doctor will discuss this with you.

Treatment of shingles

•    The usual dose is 1000 mg (one 1000 mg tablet or two 500 mg tablets) three times a day.

•    You should take Valaciclovir for seven days.

Treatment of cold sores

•    The usual dose is 2000 mg (two 1000 mg tablets or four 500 mg tablets) twice a day.

•    The second dose should be taken 12 hours (no sooner than 6 hours) after the first dose.

•    You should take Valaciclovir for one day (two doses) only.

Treatment of HSV infections of the skin and genital herpes

•    The usual dose is 500 mg (one 500 mg tablet or two 250 mg tablets) twice a day.

•    For the first infection you should take Valaciclovir for five days or for up to ten days if your doctor tells you to. For recurrent infection the duration of treatment is normally 3-5 days.

Helping to prevent HSV infections from returning after you have had them

•    The usual dose is one 500 mg tablet once a day.

•    Some people with frequent recurrences may benefit from taking one 250 mg tablet twice a day.

•    You should take Valaciclovir until your doctor tells you to stop.

To stop you being infected with CMV (Cytomegalovirus)

•    The usual dose is 2000 mg (two 1000 mg tablets or four 500 mg tablets) four times a day.

•    You should take each dose about 6 hours apart.

•    You will usually start taking Valaciclovir as soon as possible after your surgery.

•    You should take Valaciclovir for around 90 days after your surgery, until your doctor tells you to stop.

Your doctor may adjust the dose of Valaciclovir if:

•    you are over 65 years of age

•    you have a weak immune system

•    you have kidney problems.

Talk to your doctor before taking Valaciclovir if any of the above apply.