Each white tablet marked "VALTREX" and "500" contains 500mg valaciclovir.

This is the active ingredient.

There are also some inactive ingredients in Valtrex which are needed to make up the tablet. These are microcrystalline cellulose, crospovidone, povidone K90, magnesium stearate, colloidal anhydrous silica, white colour concentrate, carnuba wax and acid brilliant green BS.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any of these ingredients.

Valtrex tablets do not contain lactose or gluten.

Your Valtrex Shingles Starter Pack contains four tablets.

Valtrex is an antiviral medicine.

It is used to treat shingles (herpes zoster) infections. Shingles is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which damages nerves and skin. Valtrex stops the virus from multiplying and so cuts down this damage, reducing the painful, blistering rash.

This medicine suits most people but there are a few people who should not take it. Ask yourself these questions to check whether Valtrex is right for you.

Have you ever had an allergic reaction to aciclovir (Zovirax*) or valaciclovir?

Are you pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breast feeding?

• The usual dose is two Valtrex tablets 3 times a day. Most people take one dose when they get up in the morning, one dose mid-afternoon and one dose before they go to bed at night. Spreading the doses evenly throughout the day will help to shorten your rash and discomfort.

• Your Valtrex Shingles Starter Pack contains a blister strip containing 4 tablets. Simply push a blister and two tablets will come out. Take the first two tablets as soon as possible, and the other two approximately 8 hours later. In the meantime obtain your 42-tablet Valtrex Shingles Treatment Pack so that you can continue treatment without delay .

• Take your tablets with some water. It does not matter if you take them with or without food.

• A full course of Valtrex for shingles is 42 tablets. As you will have already taken the 4 tablets in the starter pack, take only 38 tablets from your

• prescription Valtrex Shingles Treatment Pack. Return the unused tablets to your pharmacist for disposal.

• If you forget to take a dose don't worry. Just take one as soon as you remember and then take the next dose at the right time.

• If you take too much Valtrex or if someone else takes your medicine by mistake, tell your doctor immediately.

Valtrex does not often have side-effects. Some people may feel sick or have a mild headache.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any other side-effects from your medicine which are not mentioned here.

• Keep your Valtrex tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them .

• Keep them away from direct heat and sunlight .

• Do not take any tablets after the expiry date shown on the pack.

This leaflet was last revised in January 1 995.

* Trade marks of The Wellcome Foundation Limited

You can only get shingles if you have already had chickenpox. This is because shingles is caused by the chickenpox virus becoming active again. The virus multiplies in the nerves and the skin. This causes the painful, blistering rash of shingles, usually in a band across one side of your body or face. Early treatment with an antiviral like Valtrex stops the virus multiplying so if you start your treatment straight away the tablets should help you to get better quicker.

Your rash may be very painful at first, and you may still get new blisters appearing for about 5 days, then they will start to dry and form scabs. The rash may itch as it heals.

You may also feel very tired for a few weeks. For some time after the rash has disappeared, some people may still feel pain in that part of the body. As well as pain, some people may get "abnormal sensations" such as prickling and numbness where the rash was. These effects are caused by the shingles virus affecting the nerve during the early stage of the illness.

Keeping the skin cool by using cool water compresses or calamine lotion can help the stinging and itching. Try to avoid scratching the rash, as this can stop it healing or could infect it with bacteria. Common painkillers such as aspirin or paracetamol can help with the pain. Make sure you eat well and drink plenty of fluids.

If you have any trouble with your eyes while you have shingles, see your doctor straight away, as you may need special treatments.

People of all ages get shingles, but it is more common in older people. Shingles can be passed on as chickenpox to other people if they have not already had chickenpox. For this reason, before the blisters have scabbed over, you should especially avoid close contact with:

• babies and young children who haven't had chickenpox.

• pregnant woman who haven’t had chickenpox.

• people with weak immune systems, for example people taking steroids or who are being treated for cancer/HIV. This is because chickenpox can be a very serious disease for these people.