Drug & supplement interaction

Omega-6 Fatty Acids + Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir brand name: Valtrex.

No Known Interaction
The bottom line No known interaction

We found no known interaction between Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir in our sources. Absence of a documented interaction is not the same as proven safety, and does not guarantee one does not exist. Do not start, stop, or change a medication or supplement based on this page; confirm with your pharmacist or doctor first. Additionally, although there is no interaction, the two are separately associated with some of the same side effects, which would make a new symptom harder to attribute to one or the other.

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Interaction report

Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir

We checked these two against our interaction database. Here is what we found.

No Known Interaction Found

We did not find a documented interaction between Valacyclovir and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in our sources. This does not guarantee that the combination is completely free of risk — there is often limited research on supplements and herbal products, especially around drug interactions.

Worth understanding: our licensed dataset holds no drug-interaction record for Omega-6 Fatty Acids at all — not against Valacyclovir, and not against any other medication we track. This verdict therefore rests on the absence of any recorded data, not on research that looked at this combination and found nothing. We cannot rule an interaction out.

If you decide to take both, the practical routine is simple: add one new thing at a time and note the date you started it. If the combination is going to disagree with you, it usually shows in the first days to a couple of weeks — and a start date turns “I’ve been feeling off” into something a pharmacist can actually work with. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own.

Always talk with your pharmacist or doctor before making changes to your medications or supplements, particularly if you take several medications or have an ongoing health condition.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids safety at a glance

Omega-6 Fatty Acid... overall Use caution Generally safe from food, but supplement benefits are uncertain and balance with omega-3 matters.
Pregnancy Likely Safe When consumed as part of the diet in amounts between 5% and 10% of daily calories according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutrient Distr... Read the full pregnancy detail
Breastfeeding Likely Safe When consumed as part of the diet in amounts between 5% and 10% of daily calories according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutrient Distr... Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — the full detail is in the Special populations card below. Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Still wondering about combining Valacyclovir and Omega-6 Fatty Acids? Ask Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS directly ›
What to actually watch for

No Interaction Found — But Data Suggests Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir May Share a Side Effect

This is not an interaction. Neither one changes how your body handles the other, and nothing here says they react together. What our sources do show is that each has separately been linked to the effects below — so taking both can make those effects more likely to turn up, and harder to pin on one or the other if they do. One of them is worth acting on rather than waiting out — marked below.

  • Raised blood pressure Worth acting on Additional detail

    Omega-6 Fatty Acids

    “Dietary intake of the omega-6 fatty acid linoleic acid in amounts of 5% to 10% of daily calories is appropriate according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR). However, higher intake levels, especially when compared with omega-3 fatty acid intake, might be detrimental.”

    Omega-6 Fatty Acids · Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, reported in atherosclerosis.

    6 sources cited
    1. 23723. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate. Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2005. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/books/03 DOI
    2. 66678. Simopoulos, A. P. The omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio, genetic variation, and cardiovascular disease. Asia Pac.J Clin Nutr 2008;17 Suppl 1:131-134.
    3. 66692. Harris, W. S., Mozaffarian, D., Rimm, E., Kris-Etherton, P., Rudel, L. L., Appel, L. J., Engler, M. M., Engler, M. B., and Sacks, F. Omega-6 fatty acids and risk for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association Nutrition DOI
    4. 65498. Yamada, T., Strong, J. P., Ishii, T., Ueno, T., Koyama, M., Wagayama, H., Shimizu, A., Sakai, T., Malcom, G. T., and Guzman, M. A. Atherosclerosis and omega-3 fatty acids in the populations of a fishing village and a farming village in Japan. Atheroscler
    5. 66640. Assies, J., Lok, A., Bockting, C. L., Weverling, G. J., Lieverse, R., Visser, I., Abeling, N. G., Duran, M., and Schene, A. H. Fatty acids and homocysteine levels in patients with recurrent depression: an explorative pilot study. Prostaglandins Leukot.Es PubMed
    6. 66642. Chiplonkar, S. A., Agte, V. V., Tarwadi, K. V., Paknikar, K. M., and Diwate, U. P. Micronutrient deficiencies as predisposing factors for hypertension in lacto-vegetarian Indian adults. J Am Coll.Nutr 2004;23(3):239-247. PubMed

    Valacyclovir

    Listed in the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of the FDA label for Valacyclovir. Read the label on DailyMed ›

Reported for Omega-6 Fatty Acids but not commonly for Valacyclovir: trouble sleeping and bone thinning.

Effects for Valacyclovir come from the ADVERSE REACTIONS section of its FDA label; effects for Omega-6 Fatty Acids come from the Natural Medicines adverse-effect record, quoted above. Wording is matched across sources by our own clinical vocabulary, so treat this as a prompt to pay attention, not a diagnosis.

Special populations

Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Pregnancy And Lactation Likely Safe

When consumed as part of the diet in amounts between 5% and 10% of daily calories according to the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR).

Pregnancy And Lactation Possibly Unsafe

When high amounts of omega-6 fatty acids are consumed in the diet. Population research suggests that the highest maternal intakes of omega-6 fatty acids (15.2-47.6 grams or 137-428 kcal daily) during pregnancy is associated with a 2.4-times greater odds of giving birth to an infant below the 10th percentile for birth weight when compared with the lowest maternal intakes (0.4-5.7 grams daily). In addition, population research in women with a history of atopy suggests that the highest blood levels of omega-6 fatty acids during the second trimester is associated with an increased odds of having a child develop atopic dermatitis by age 4-6 years when compared with the lowest intakes. There is insufficient reliable information available about supplemental omega-6 fatty acids; avoid using.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

From our Q&A

Questions About Omega-6 Fatty Acids or Valacyclovir

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Omega-6 Fatty Acids or Valacyclovir, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Valacyclovir

This page covers Omega-6 Fatty Acids only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Valacyclovir page lists 27 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), African Wild Potato (moderate), Banderol (moderate), Biofeedback (moderate) and Caffeic Acid (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 17 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Valacyclovir page

“Valacyclovir (Valtrex) works against herpes outbreaks only if enough of it gets absorbed into your blood, and most of this list threatens exactly that. Of the 27 supplements on file, 17 can change how well oral medicines like this one are absorbed, and the single major-rated entry, activated charcoal, binds drugs in the gut outright.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Valacyclovir interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Omega-6 Fatty Acids as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 2 real supplement products containing Omega-6 Fatty Acids, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Omega-6 Fatty Acids. Even though Omega-6 Fatty Acids itself has no known interaction with Valacyclovir, another ingredient on your label might. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Omega-6 Fatty Acids
Steady interest

#1,331 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Valacyclovir
Top 5%

#30 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Where does our data come from?
  • Source: the Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) clinical database — the evidence-graded professional reference for herb & supplement interactions.
  • Citation library: 103,510 references behind our interaction content, 65,311 of them resolved to verified PubMed/DOI sources. See every Omega-6 Fatty Acids reference on this page ↓
  • Freshness: we automatically re-check this combination every week — this pair was last verified September 13, 2026. The Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir records this page draws on were last updated July 10, 2026.
  • What “no known interaction” means: no documented interaction in the sources above — not a guarantee of safety. Supplements are studied far less than prescription drugs, so we say exactly what the evidence supports, and nothing more.
Data structure & sourcing designed and verified by .
Supplement

About Omega-6 Fatty Acids

What is Omega-6 Fatty Acids?

  • General nutrition and energy
  • Skin conditions like eczema
  • Inflammation support
  • Heart and cholesterol health
  • Nerve health (such as diabetic nerve discomfort)

Omega-6 fatty acids are essential fats your body needs but cannot make on its own, and most people get plenty from everyday foods like vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds. Supplements such as evening primrose or borage oil are sometimes used for skin or other concerns, but the evidence for added benefit is mixed, and balancing omega-6 with omega-3 fats matters more than taking more omega-6. Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before adding a supplement.

Dietary fats from plant oils, seeds, nuts, and some animal sources · Vegetable oils (corn, soybean, sunflower, safflower), capsules, evening primrose oil, borage oil, and softgels

An interaction check asks whether these two react with each other — it does not ask whether Omega-6 Fatty Acids is a good idea for someone in your situation. Here is what our Omega-6 Fatty Acids record says about it on its own.

Omega-6 Fatty Acids: dosing

There is no single standardized dose of omega-6 fatty acids that works for everyone, and most people meet their needs through diet alone. Health organizations describe omega-6 as an essential nutrient but focus on overall fat balance rather than a specific supplement amount.For supplements like evening primrose oil or borage oil, the right amount depends on the specific product and the GLA content.

From our Omega-6 Fatty Acids monograph — the full record covers uses, side effects and every documented interaction.

Read the full Omega-6 Fatty Acids monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Valacyclovir

What Is Valacyclovir Used For?

Brand name: Valtrex

Valacyclovir tablets are used in adults to treat cold sores (herpes labialis), genital herpes (initial and recurrent episodes), and shingles (herpes zoster). They can also be taken daily as suppressive therapy to reduce how often genital herpes outbreaks occur, and to lower the risk of passing genital herpes to a partner.

In children and adolescents, valacyclovir tablets are used to treat cold sores in those aged 12 and older, and chickenpox in those aged 2 to under 18. Valacyclovir has not been established as safe and effective for most uses in immunocompromised patients, with the exception of suppressive therapy for genital herpes in HIV-infected adults.

Most-Reported Side Effects for Valacyclovir

From FAERS, the FDA’s public side-effect reporting system (70,056 reports, all brands). Reports are voluntary and are not proof the drug caused the effect.

Fatigue 4,317 reports
Nausea 3,985 reports
Diarrhea 3,648 reports
Headache 2,964 reports
Fever 2,753 reports
See full Valacyclovir drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Omega-6 Fatty Acids

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Omega-6 Fatty Acids — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
0Moderate
0Minor
2,829No known interaction
No interaction 2,829 drugs checked — show the list
Evidence & sources

Omega-6 Fatty Acids References

The 20 references that drive our Omega-6 Fatty Acids monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Godley PA. Essential fatty acid consumption and risk of breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat 1995;35:91-5. PubMed
  2. Newcomer LM, King IB, Wicklund KG, Stanford JL. The association of fatty acids with prostate cancer risk. Prostate 2001;47:262-8. DOI
  3. Food and Nutrition Board, Institute of Medicine. Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate. Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein, and Amino Acids. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 2005. Available at: http://www.nap.edu/books/03 DOI
  4. Colter, A. L., Cutler, C., and Meckling, K. A. Fatty acid status and behavioural symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in adolescents: a case-control study. Nutr J 2008;7:8. PubMed
  5. Yamada, T., Strong, J. P., Ishii, T., Ueno, T., Koyama, M., Wagayama, H., Shimizu, A., Sakai, T., Malcom, G. T., and Guzman, M. A. Atherosclerosis and omega-3 fatty acids in the populations of a fishing village and a farming village in Japan. Atheroscler
  6. Conklin, S. M., Manuck, S. B., Yao, J. K., Flory, J. D., Hibbeln, J. R., and Muldoon, M. F. High omega-6 and low omega-3 fatty acids are associated with depressive symptoms and neuroticism. Psychosom.Med. 2007;69(9):932-934.
  7. Richardson, A. J., Cyhlarova, E., and Ross, M. A. Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid concentrations in red blood cell membranes relate to schizotypal traits in healthy adults. Prostaglandins Leukot.Essent.Fatty Acids 2003;69(6):461-466. PubMed
  8. Assies, J., Lok, A., Bockting, C. L., Weverling, G. J., Lieverse, R., Visser, I., Abeling, N. G., Duran, M., and Schene, A. H. Fatty acids and homocysteine levels in patients with recurrent depression: an explorative pilot study. Prostaglandins Leukot.Es PubMed
  9. Chiplonkar, S. A., Agte, V. V., Tarwadi, K. V., Paknikar, K. M., and Diwate, U. P. Micronutrient deficiencies as predisposing factors for hypertension in lacto-vegetarian Indian adults. J Am Coll.Nutr 2004;23(3):239-247. PubMed
  10. Mamalakis, G., Kiriakakis, M., Tsibinos, G., Hatzis, C., Flouri, S., Mantzoros, C., and Kafatos, A. Depression and serum adiponectin and adipose omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in adolescents. Pharmacol.Biochem.Behav. 2006;85(2):474-479. PubMed
  11. Okuyama, H., Ichikawa, Y., Sun, Y., Hamazaki, T., and Lands, W. E. Cancers common in the USA are stimulated by omega 6 fatty acids and large amounts of animal fats, but suppressed by omega 3 fatty acids and cholesterol. World Rev Nutr Diet. 2007;96:143-1
  12. Martinez-Ramirez, M. J., Palma, S., Martinez-Gonzalez, M. A., Delgado-Martinez, A. D., de la Fuente, C., and Delgado-Rodriguez, M. Dietary fat intake and the risk of osteoporotic fractures in the elderly. Eur.J Clin Nutr 2007;61(9):1114-1120. PubMed
  13. Sonestedt, E., Gullberg, B., and Wirfalt, E. Both food habit change in the past and obesity status may influence the association between dietary factors and postmenopausal breast cancer. Public Health Nutr 2007;10(8):769-779. PubMed
  14. Simopoulos, A. P. The omega-6/omega-3 fatty acid ratio, genetic variation, and cardiovascular disease. Asia Pac.J Clin Nutr 2008;17 Suppl 1:131-134.
  15. Harris, W. S., Mozaffarian, D., Rimm, E., Kris-Etherton, P., Rudel, L. L., Appel, L. J., Engler, M. M., Engler, M. B., and Sacks, F. Omega-6 fatty acids and risk for cardiovascular disease: a science advisory from the American Heart Association Nutrition DOI

Medication overviews come from MedlinePlus (NIH); supplement label data from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir Together: Common Questions

Is it safe to take Omega-6 Fatty Acids with Valacyclovir?
We do not list a known interaction between Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir. That does not guarantee the combination is risk-free, so confirm with your pharmacist or doctor — especially if you take other medications or have a health condition.
Do Omega-6 Fatty Acids and Valacyclovir have any of the same side effects?
Yes — our sources link each of them separately to one of the same effects. That is not an interaction: neither changes how your body handles the other. It does mean that if one of those effects turns up, it can be harder to tell which one is behind it. They are listed on this page with the source behind each.
Does Valacyclovir interact with any supplements?
Yes. Valacyclovir has documented interactions with 27 supplements in our database — Omega-6 Fatty Acids is not one of them. The Valacyclovir interaction page linked on this page lists every one, ranked by severity.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.