VALACYCLOVIR

82/100 · Critical

Manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Valacyclovir Adverse Events: High Seriousness and Diverse Reactions

64,784 FDA adverse event reports analyzed

Last updated: 2026-05-12

About VALACYCLOVIR

VALACYCLOVIR is a medication tracked in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Based on analysis of 64,784 FDA adverse event reports, VALACYCLOVIR has a safety score of 82 out of 100. This score indicates a relatively favorable safety profile, with fewer or less severe adverse events compared to many other tracked medications. The most commonly reported adverse reactions for VALACYCLOVIR include OFF LABEL USE, FATIGUE, DIARRHOEA, DRUG INEFFECTIVE, NAUSEA. This page provides a comprehensive breakdown of reported side effects, safety signals, patient demographics, and AI-powered safety analysis for VALACYCLOVIR.

AI Safety Analysis

Valacyclovir has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100, placing it in the high concern category based on analysis of FDA adverse event data. The FDA has received approximately 64,784 adverse event reports for this medication, which is primarily manufactured by Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc..

The most commonly reported adverse events include Off Label Use, Fatigue, Diarrhoea. Of classified reports, 73.8% were designated as serious by the FDA, meaning they involved hospitalization, disability, or other significant medical outcomes. Valacyclovir reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and infectious conditions.

The most common reactions include fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea, indicating gastrointestinal and general malaise effects. Serious reactions such as pneumonia, sepsis, and acute kidney injury are notable, highlighting potential severe risks. The drug is associated with a wide range of reactions, suggesting a complex safety profile. Reports indicate a significant number of drug interactions and inappropriate use issues.

Patients taking Valacyclovir should monitor for the commonly reported side effects and contact their healthcare provider if they experience any unusual symptoms. Valacyclovir is associated with various drug interactions and warnings, including potential hematological and renal effects. Healthcare providers should monitor patients for these interactions and adjust dosing accordingly. This analysis is based on voluntary FDA adverse event reports and should not replace professional medical advice.

Safety Score: 82/100

Valacyclovir received a safety concern score of 82/100 (high concern). This is based on a 73.8% serious event ratio across 39,019 classified reports. The score accounts for 64,784 total adverse event reports and 100 distinct reaction types. This high score reflects a significant proportion of serious adverse events in the reporting data.

Top Adverse Reactions

OFF LABEL USE2,544 reports
FATIGUE2,294 reports
DIARRHOEA2,120 reports
DRUG INEFFECTIVE1,892 reports
NAUSEA1,838 reports
FEBRILE NEUTROPENIA1,545 reports
PYREXIA1,490 reports
PNEUMONIA1,448 reports
HEADACHE1,355 reports
PAIN1,301 reports
RASH1,241 reports
NEUTROPENIA1,150 reports
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY1,101 reports
DYSPNOEA1,063 reports
DEATH1,049 reports
ASTHENIA1,047 reports
COVID 191,001 reports
DIZZINESS965 reports
VOMITING917 reports
ARTHRALGIA882 reports
THROMBOCYTOPENIA828 reports
CYTOKINE RELEASE SYNDROME821 reports
PRODUCT DOSE OMISSION ISSUE800 reports
COUGH782 reports
CONDITION AGGRAVATED775 reports
CONSTIPATION763 reports
FALL751 reports
HERPES ZOSTER738 reports
ANAEMIA731 reports
PRURITUS729 reports
MALAISE723 reports
ANXIETY666 reports
WEIGHT DECREASED652 reports
DECREASED APPETITE614 reports
NEUROPATHY PERIPHERAL576 reports
HYPOTENSION570 reports
URINARY TRACT INFECTION568 reports
BACK PAIN565 reports
WHITE BLOOD CELL COUNT DECREASED562 reports
CONFUSIONAL STATE549 reports
INSOMNIA546 reports
DISEASE PROGRESSION541 reports
INFECTION532 reports
PLATELET COUNT DECREASED532 reports
PAIN IN EXTREMITY530 reports
EYE PAIN518 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN504 reports
NASOPHARYNGITIS497 reports
SEPSIS479 reports
MUSCLE SPASMS475 reports
PLASMA CELL MYELOMA475 reports
PANCYTOPENIA464 reports
RENAL FAILURE459 reports
PRODUCT USE IN UNAPPROVED INDICATION458 reports
HEPATIC CYTOLYSIS445 reports
HYPERTENSION445 reports
PERIPHERAL SWELLING437 reports
SINUSITIS430 reports
FEELING ABNORMAL420 reports
WEIGHT INCREASED419 reports
DRUG REACTION WITH EOSINOPHILIA AND SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS413 reports
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION407 reports
NEUROTOXICITY405 reports
DEPRESSION397 reports
GAIT DISTURBANCE394 reports
DEHYDRATION391 reports
ERYTHEMA376 reports
ABDOMINAL PAIN UPPER371 reports
SOMNOLENCE354 reports
BLOOD PRESSURE INCREASED349 reports
HYPERSENSITIVITY346 reports
INTENTIONAL PRODUCT USE ISSUE346 reports
INFLUENZA344 reports
VISION BLURRED339 reports
RASH MACULO PAPULAR332 reports
MYALGIA331 reports
ILLNESS330 reports
ORAL HERPES329 reports
CHILLS324 reports
ABDOMINAL DISCOMFORT322 reports
AGRANULOCYTOSIS317 reports
INAPPROPRIATE SCHEDULE OF PRODUCT ADMINISTRATION316 reports
OEDEMA PERIPHERAL316 reports
PARAESTHESIA315 reports
ALOPECIA310 reports
TREMOR308 reports
HYPOAESTHESIA304 reports
CHEST PAIN302 reports
EMOTIONAL DISTRESS301 reports
SEPTIC SHOCK298 reports
URTICARIA298 reports
HOSPITALISATION297 reports
MUSCULAR WEAKNESS296 reports
CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE293 reports
PRODUCT USE ISSUE292 reports
BRONCHITIS287 reports
NEUTROPHIL COUNT DECREASED284 reports
GENERAL PHYSICAL HEALTH DETERIORATION282 reports
DRUG INTERACTION280 reports
MEMORY IMPAIRMENT276 reports

Key Safety Signals

  • High percentage of serious adverse events (73.8%)
  • Multiple reports of severe respiratory and infectious conditions
  • Significant number of cases involving hematological issues like neutropenia and thrombocytopenia
  • A wide variety of reactions, including neurological and cardiovascular effects
  • Reports of drug interactions and inappropriate use

Patient Demographics

Adverse event reports by sex: Female: 19,605, Male: 15,435, Unknown: 66. The most frequently reported age groups are age 68 (849 reports), age 71 (843 reports), age 67 (786 reports). These demographics reflect reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Report Outcomes

Out of 39,019 classified reports for VALACYCLOVIR:

  • Serious: 28,794 reports (73.8%) — includes hospitalization, disability, life-threatening events, or death
  • Non-Serious: 10,225 reports (26.2%)
Serious 73.8%Non-Serious 26.2%

The FDA classifies an adverse event as “serious” if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, congenital anomaly, or requires intervention to prevent permanent damage.

Demographics Breakdown

Reports by Sex

Female19,605 (55.8%)
Male15,435 (44.0%)
Unknown66 (0.2%)

Reports by Age

Age 68849 reports
Age 71843 reports
Age 67786 reports
Age 72759 reports
Age 69756 reports
Age 70753 reports
Age 64745 reports
Age 66722 reports
Age 73698 reports
Age 65696 reports
Age 62672 reports
Age 75664 reports
Age 76663 reports
Age 74643 reports
Age 61638 reports
Age 63624 reports
Age 60616 reports
Age 59607 reports
Age 57578 reports
Age 56569 reports

Demographics reflect voluntary FDA adverse event reporting patterns and may not represent the full patient population.

Drug Interactions & Warnings

Valacyclovir is associated with various drug interactions and warnings, including potential hematological and renal effects. Healthcare providers should monitor patients for these interactions and adjust dosing accordingly.

What You Should Know

If you are taking Valacyclovir, here are important things to know. The most commonly reported side effects include off label use, fatigue, diarrhoea, drug ineffective, nausea. While many of these may be mild and temporary, you should contact your healthcare provider if any symptoms are severe or persistent. Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to avoid drug interactions and inappropriate use. Report any unusual symptoms or side effects to your healthcare provider immediately. If you experience a serious adverse reaction, seek emergency medical attention immediately or call 911. You can report side effects to the FDA's MedWatch program at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Regulatory Context

The FDA continues to monitor valacyclovir safety. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many adverse event reports has the FDA received for Valacyclovir?

The FDA has received approximately 64,784 adverse event reports associated with Valacyclovir. These reports come from healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Note that the number of reports does not directly indicate the frequency of side effects, as adverse events are voluntarily reported and may be underrepresented.

What are the most commonly reported side effects of Valacyclovir?

The most frequently reported adverse events for Valacyclovir include Off Label Use, Fatigue, Diarrhoea, Drug Ineffective, Nausea. By volume, the top reported reactions are: Off Label Use (2,544 reports), Fatigue (2,294 reports), Diarrhoea (2,120 reports). These figures reflect FDA adverse event reports and may not represent the true incidence rate of these side effects in all patients taking Valacyclovir.

What percentage of Valacyclovir adverse event reports are serious?

Out of 39,019 classified reports, 28,794 (73.8%) were classified as serious and 10,225 as non-serious. The FDA classifies an event as "serious" if it results in death, hospitalization, disability, or other medically significant outcomes. A higher serious-event ratio warrants closer attention but does not necessarily mean the drug is unsafe.

Who reports adverse events for Valacyclovir (by sex)?

Adverse event reports for Valacyclovir break down by patient sex as follows: Female: 19,605, Male: 15,435, Unknown: 66. This distribution reflects reporting patterns rather than actual risk differences between groups. Reporting rates can be influenced by prescribing patterns, disease demographics, and reporting behavior.

What age groups report the most side effects for Valacyclovir?

The most frequently reported age groups for Valacyclovir adverse events are: age 68: 849 reports, age 71: 843 reports, age 67: 786 reports, age 72: 759 reports, age 69: 756 reports. Age-related reporting patterns can reflect both the demographics of the patient population and potential age-related susceptibility to certain side effects.

Who manufactures Valacyclovir?

The primary manufacturer associated with Valacyclovir adverse event reports is Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.. Multiple manufacturers may produce generic versions of this drug. The manufacturer listed reflects the most frequently reported brand in FDA adverse event data.

What other side effects have been reported for Valacyclovir?

Beyond the most common reactions, other reported adverse events for Valacyclovir include: Febrile Neutropenia, Pyrexia, Pneumonia, Headache, Pain. Less common side effects can still be clinically significant. Patients should report any unusual symptoms to their healthcare provider.

How do I report a side effect from Valacyclovir?

You can report adverse events from Valacyclovir to the FDA through their MedWatch program at www.fda.gov/medwatch, by calling 1-800-FDA-1088, or by completing Form FDA 3500. Healthcare professionals, consumers, and manufacturers can all submit reports. Reporting helps the FDA monitor drug safety after approval.

What is Valacyclovir's safety score and what does it mean?

Valacyclovir has a safety concern score of 82 out of 100 (high concern). This score is calculated from the ratio of serious to non-serious adverse events, the diversity of reported reactions, and the overall volume of reports relative to usage. Valacyclovir reports show a high percentage of serious adverse events, particularly respiratory and infectious conditions.

What are the key safety signals for Valacyclovir?

Key safety signals identified in Valacyclovir's adverse event data include: High percentage of serious adverse events (73.8%). Multiple reports of severe respiratory and infectious conditions. Significant number of cases involving hematological issues like neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. A wide variety of reactions, including neurological and cardiovascular effects. Reports of drug interactions and inappropriate use. These signals are derived from patterns in FDA reports and should be discussed with a healthcare provider for personalized assessment.

Does Valacyclovir interact with other drugs?

Valacyclovir is associated with various drug interactions and warnings, including potential hematological and renal effects. Healthcare providers should monitor patients for these interactions and adjust dosing accordingly. Always inform your healthcare provider about all medications, supplements, and over-the-counter drugs you are taking before starting Valacyclovir.

What should patients know before taking Valacyclovir?

Follow prescribed dosing instructions carefully to avoid drug interactions and inappropriate use. Report any unusual symptoms or side effects to your healthcare provider immediately.

Are Valacyclovir side effects well-documented?

Valacyclovir has 64,784 adverse event reports on file with the FDA. The most common reactions include fatigue, diarrhea, and nausea, indicating gastrointestinal and general malaise effects. The volume of reports for Valacyclovir reflects both the drug's usage level and the vigilance of the reporting community.

What is the FDA's position on Valacyclovir?

The FDA continues to monitor valacyclovir safety. Healthcare providers should report any adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program. For the most current regulatory information, check the FDA's drug labeling database or consult your pharmacist.

Related Drugs

Drugs related to VALACYCLOVIR based on therapeutic use, drug class, or shared indications:

AcyclovirGanciclovirFoscarnet
Important Disclaimer: This content is generated by AI analysis of FDA adverse event reports and is provided for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Adverse event reports submitted to the FDA do not prove that a medication caused the reported side effect. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication. If you experience a serious side effect, contact your doctor or call 911 immediately.