Drug interactions
Emtricitabine + Valacyclovir
Severity: Minor
Emtricitabine and Valacyclovir: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both acyclovir (from valacyclovir) and emtricitabine are cleared renally with active tubular secretion, so concentrations of either may rise slightly when they are used together. This is usually of little consequence unless renal function is reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Emtricitabine and Valacyclovir have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Emtricitabine belongs to Anti Virals; Valacyclovir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Competition for renal tubular secretion.
What to do
No routine adjustment is needed with normal renal function. Monitor renal function and adjust doses in patients with renal impairment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Emtricitabine and Valacyclovir, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Valacyclovir
- Talimogene laherparepvec + Valacyclovir Major
- Bacitracin + Valacyclovir Moderate
- Cilastatin-imipenem + Valacyclovir Moderate
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Valacyclovir Moderate
- Imipenem / cilastatin / relebactam + Valacyclovir Moderate
- Imipenem / cilastatin + Valacyclovir Moderate
Other interactions of Emtricitabine
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Emtricitabine Contraindicated
- Atidarsagene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Betibeglogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Elivaldogene autotemcel + Emtricitabine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lamivudine Major
- Emtricitabine + Lovotibeglogene autotemcel Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Emtricitabine with Valacyclovir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Emtricitabine and Valacyclovir have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both acyclovir (from valacyclovir) and emtricitabine are cleared renally with active tubular secretion, so concentrations of either may rise slightly when they are used together. This is usually of little consequence unless renal function is reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Emtricitabine and Valacyclovir?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine adjustment is needed with normal renal function. Monitor renal function and adjust doses in patients with renal impairment.
What other medicines interact with Valacyclovir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Valacyclovir with, for example, Talimogene laherparepvec, Bacitracin, Cilastatin-imipenem. The full list is on the Valacyclovir page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
