FDA Approves zovirax vs valtrex
Tthe U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved zovirax vs valtrex (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) Extended Release Capsules for oral use, a long-acting Schedule II opioid analgesic for the management of moderate to severe pain when a continuous, around-the-clock opioid analgesic is needed for an extended period of time. zovirax vs valtrex is the first FDA-approved long-acting opioid that is designed to reduce drug liking and euphoria when tampered with by crushing or chewing.
zovirax vs valtrex contains extended-release morphine pellets, each with an inner core of naltrexone hydrochloride, an opioid receptor antagonist. If taken as directed, the morphine relieves pain while the sequestered naltrexone hydrochloride passes through the body with no intended clinical effect. If zovirax vs valtrex is crushed or chewed, the naltrexone is released and absorbed with the morphine, reversing the morphine's subjective and analgesic effects. The clinical significance of the degree of this reduction has not been established, and there is no evidence that the naltrexone in zovirax vs valtrex reduces the abuse liability of zovirax vs valtrex.
Important Safety Information for zovirax vs valtrex
zovirax vs valtrex (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) Extended Release Capsules is a prescription medicine used to treat moderate to severe pain that continues around the clock and is expected to last for a long period of time. zovirax vs valtrex is not for use to treat pain as needed. zovirax vs valtrex contains morphine a Schedule II controlled substance. Morphine is a strong opioid pain medicine that can be abused by people who abuse prescription medicines or street drugs. zovirax vs valtrex contains beadlike pellets that are made up of morphine sulfate, an opioid receptor agonist (narcotic pain medicine), and naltrexone hydrochloride (HCl), an opioid receptor antagonist. The naltrexone hydrochloride within each pellet is confined or sequestered and has a special coating to protect it from being released. zovirax vs valtrex is to be swallowed whole or the contents of the capsules sprinkled on apple sauce. Do not crush, dissolve, or chew zovirax vs valtrex or the pellets in the capsules. If tampered with by crushing or chewing, the naltrexone will be released.
Like other opioids, zovirax vs valtrex is contraindicated in patients with significant respiratory depression, acute or severe bronchial asthma or hypercapnia in unmonitored settings or in the absence of resuscitative equipment and in patients who have or are suspected to have paralytic ileus. Respiratory depression is the primary risk of opioid agonists. Respiratory depression occurs more frequently in elderly or debilitated patients.
zovirax vs valtrex may not be right for patients who have trouble breathing or lung problems, a head injury or brain problem, liver or kidney problems, convulsions or seizures, problems urinating or prostate problems, and patients who have or have had drug abuse or drug addiction problems. Patients should be advised that zovirax vs valtrex may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery. Safe use in pregnancy has not been established. Prolonged use of opioid analgesics during pregnancy may cause fetal neonatal physical dependence, and neonatal withdrawal may occur.
Individualization of dosage is essential to make optimal use of this medication. The highest dose of zovirax vs valtrex (morphine sulfate and naltrexone hydrochloride) is for "opioid tolerant" patients only. Patients should not consume alcoholic beverages or use prescription or non-prescription medications containing alcohol while on zovirax vs valtrex therapy.
zovirax vs valtrex Medication Guide
IMPORTANT: Keep zovirax vs valtrex in a safe place away from children. Accidental use by a child is a medical emergency and can result in death. If a child accidentally takes zovirax vs valtrex, get emergency help right away.
Read the Medication Guide that comes with zovirax vs valtrex before you start taking it and each time you get a new prescription. There may be new information. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider about your medical condition or your treatment. Share this important information with members of your household.
What Is the Most Important Information I Should Know About zovirax vs valtrex?
- Do not crush, dissolve, or chew zovirax vs valtrex capsules or the capsule contents before swallowing. If zovirax vs valtrex is taken in this way, both the morphine and naltrexone in zovirax vs valtrex will be released too fast. This is dangerous. It may cause you to have trouble breathing, and lead to death.
- If your body is not used to taking opioids and your body absorbs too much morphine, you could overdose and die.
- If you have been taking opioids (narcotics) for a period of time, and your body absorbs the naltrexone in zovirax vs valtrex, this could cause you to have uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms.
- Take zovirax vs valtrex exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
- zovirax vs valtrex is not for use to treat pain that you only have once in a while ("as needed").
- If you cannot swallow capsules, tell your healthcare provider. There may be another way to take zovirax vs valtrex that may be right for you. See "How should I take zovirax vs valtrex?"
- Do not take the highest dose of zovirax vs valtrex (morphine sulfate 100 mg and naltrexone hydrochloride 4 mg) unless you are "opioid tolerant." Opioid tolerant means that you regularly use another opioid medicine for your constant (around the clock) pain and your body is used to it.
- Do not drink alcohol, or use prescription or non-prescription medicines that contain alcohol while you are being treated with zovirax vs valtrex. Alcohol can cause very high levels of morphine in your blood and you can die due to an overdose of morphine.
- Prevent theft, misuse or abuse. Keep zovirax vs valtrex in a safe place to protect it from being stolen. zovirax vs valtrex can be a target for people who misuse or abuse prescription medicines or street drugs.
- Never give zovirax vs valtrex to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have. It may harm them or even cause death.
See the section "What are the possible side effects of zovirax vs valtrex?" for more information about side effects.
What is zovirax vs valtrex?
- zovirax vs valtrex is a prescription medicine that contains morphine sulfate, an opioid receptor agonist (narcotic pain medicine) and naltrexone hydrochloride, an opioid receptor antagonist. Naltrexone hydrochloride is in the middle of each pellet and has a special coating to protect it from being released. If you crush or chew zovirax vs valtrex, the naltrexone will be released all at one time. See "What is the most important information I should know about zovirax vs valtrex?
- zovirax vs valtrex is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it is a strong opioid pain medicine that can be abused by people who abuse prescription medicines or street drugs.
- zovirax vs valtrex is used to manage moderate to severe pain that continues around-the-clock and is expected to last for a long period of time.
- It is not known if zovirax vs valtrex is safe and works in children under the age of 18.
Who Should Not Take zovirax vs valtrex?
Do not take zovirax vs valtrex if you:
- are having an asthma attack or have severe asthma, trouble breathing, or lung problems.
- have a bowel blockage called paralytic ileus.
- are allergic to morphine, morphine salts, naltrexone, or any of the ingredients in zovirax vs valtrex. See the end of this Medication Guide for a complete list of ingredients in zovirax vs valtrex.
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Starting zovirax vs valtrex?
- zovirax vs valtrex may not be right for you. Tell your healthcare provider about all of your medical conditions, especially if you:
- have trouble breathing or lung problems
- have a head injury or brain problem
- have liver or kidney problems
- have adrenal gland problems, such as Addison's disease
- have convulsions or seizures
- have thyroid problems
- have problems urinating or prostate problems
- have constipation or other bowel problems
- have problems with your pancreas or gallbladder
- have severe scoliosis
- have a drinking problem or alcoholism
- have severe mental problems or hallucinations (see or hear things that are not really there)
- have or have had drug abuse or drug addiction problems
- are planning to have surgery (cordotomy) or another procedure that will interrupt the pain signals to your body.
- are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. zovirax vs valtrex may harm your unborn baby.
- are breastfeeding. zovirax vs valtrex may pass through your milk and may harm your baby. You should not breastfeed while taking zovirax vs valtrex.
- Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Some medicines may cause serious problems when taken with zovirax vs valtrex. Sometimes, the doses of certain medicines and zovirax vs valtrex may need to be changed if used together.
- Be especially careful about taking other medicines that make you sleepy such as:
- other pain medicines
- anti-depressant medicines
- sleeping pills
- anti-anxiety medicines
- muscle relaxants
- antihistamines
- anti-nausea medicines
- tranquilizers
Also tell your healthcare provider if you take:
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- a water pill (diuretic)
- an anticholinergic medicine
- Do not take zovirax vs valtrex if you already take a monoamine oxidase inhibitor medicine (MAOI) or within 14 days after you stop taking an MAOI medicine.
- Do not take any new medicine while using zovirax vs valtrex until you have talked to your healthcare provider or pharmacist. They will tell you if it is safe to take other medicines with zovirax vs valtrex.
Ask your healthcare provider if you are not sure if your medicine is one listed above.
Know the medicines you take. Keep a list of them to show your healthcare provider and pharmacist when you get a new medicine.
How Should I Take zovirax vs valtrex?
- Take zovirax vs valtrex exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not change your dose unless your healthcare provider tells you to.
- You can take zovirax vs valtrex with or without food.
- Swallow zovirax vs valtrex capsule whole. Do not crush, dissolve, or chew zovirax vs valtrex or the pellets in the capsules before swallowing. See "What is the most important information I should know about zovirax vs valtrex?"
- If you cannot swallow capsules, tell your healthcare provider. There may be another way to take zovirax vs valtrex that may be right for you. If your doctor tells you that you can take zovirax vs valtrex using this other way, follow these steps:
zovirax vs valtrex can be opened and the pellets inside the capsule can be sprinkled over apple sauce, as follows:
- Open the zovirax vs valtrex capsule and sprinkle the pellets over approximately one tablespoon of apple sauce.
- Swallow all of the apple sauce and pellets right away. Do not save any of the apple sauce and pellets for another dose.
- Rinse your mouth to make sure you have swallowed all of the pellets. Do not chew the pellets.
- Flush the empty capsule down the toilet right away.
- You should not receive zovirax vs valtrex through a nasogastric tube or gastric tube (stomach tube).
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Just take the next dose at your regular time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time unless your healthcare provider tells you to. If you are not sure about your dosing, call your healthcare provider.
- If you take too much zovirax vs valtrex or overdose, call 911 or poison control center right away.
- Call your healthcare provider if the dose of zovirax vs valtrex that you are taking does not relieve your pain.
What Should I Avoid While Taking zovirax vs valtrex?
- Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do other dangerous activities, especially when you start taking zovirax vs valtrex and when your dose is changed, until you know how you react to this medicine. zovirax vs valtrex can make you sleepy, and also cause you to feel dizzy and lightheaded. Ask your healthcare provider to tell you when it is okay to do these activities.
What are the Possible Side Effects of zovirax vs valtrex?
zovirax vs valtrex can cause serious side effects, including:
- See "What is the most important information I should know about zovirax vs valtrex?"
- zovirax vs valtrex can cause serious breathing problems that can become life-threatening, especially if used the wrong way. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if:
- your breathing slows down
- you have shallow breathing (little chest movement with breathing)
- you feel faint, dizzy, confused, or
- have any other unusual symptoms
- These can be symptoms that you have taken too much zovirax vs valtrex (overdose) or the dose is too high for you. These symptoms may lead to serious problems or death if not treated right away.
- zovirax vs valtrex can cause your blood pressure to drop. This can make you feel dizzy and faint if you get up too fast from sitting or lying down. Low blood pressure is also more likely to happen if you take other medicines that can also lower your blood pressure. Severe low blood pressure can happen if you lose blood or take certain other medicines.
- zovirax vs valtrex can cause physical dependence. Do not stop taking zovirax vs valtrex or any other opioid without talking to your healthcare provider. You could become sick with uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms because your body has become used to these medicines. Physical dependence is not the same as drug addiction.
- There is a chance of abuse or addiction with zovirax vs valtrex. The chance is higher if you are or have been addicted to or abused other medicines, street drugs, or alcohol, or if you have a history of mental problems.
- Serious allergic reactions. Rarely, severe allergic reactions happen in people who take a long-acting morphine medicine that is like zovirax vs valtrex. Get medical help right away if you have any of these symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:
- feel dizzy or faint
- trouble breathing
- pounding heart beat
- chest pain
- swelling of the face, throat, or tongue
- feeling of doom
The most common side effects of zovirax vs valtrex are
- constipation
- nausea
- sleepiness
- vomiting
- dizziness
- itching
- headache
These side effects may decrease with continued use. Talk to your healthcare provider if you continue to have these side effects. These are not all the possible side effects of zovirax vs valtrex. For a complete list, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Constipation (not often enough or hard bowel movements) is a common side effect of pain medicines (opioids) including zovirax vs valtrex and is unlikely to go away without treatment. Talk to your healthcare provider about dietary changes, and the use of laxatives (medicines to treat constipation) and stool softeners to prevent or treat constipation while taking zovirax vs valtrex.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that bother you or do not go away. These are not all the possible side effects of zovirax vs valtrex. For more information, ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law
How should I store zovirax vs valtrex?
- See "What is the most important information I should know about zovirax vs valtrex?"
- Keep zovirax vs valtrex out of the reach of children.
- Keep zovirax vs valtrex in the container it comes in.
- Keep zovirax vs valtrex at room temperature between 59° to 86°F (15° to 30°C).
- After you stop taking zovirax vs valtrex, flush the unused capsules down the toilet.
