Uses of Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir belongs to the group of antiviral drugs, is a prodrug of acyclovir, with active ingredient Valacyclovir, which is made in the form of tablets. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by viruses. For more detailed information of Valacyclovir, read the article below.

What is Valacyclovir? Valacyclovir has the main active ingredient, Valacyclovir, which is prepared in the form of tablets, with a strength of 250 mg, 500 mg or 1000 mg. Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine that slows the growth and spread of the herpes virus. Valacyclovir does not cure herpes, but it does alleviate symptoms. Valacyclovir is used to treat infections caused by the herpes virus, including genital herpes, cold sores, shingles, and chickenpox in adults and children.
Mechanism of action of Valacyclovir: Valacyclovir acts against Herpesviridae including herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2), varicella-zoster virus (VZV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) by inhibiting DNA replication of viruses by competitively inhibiting viral DNA polymerase, incorporating and terminating the growing viral DNA chain, and inactivating viral DNA polymerase.

Valacyclovir is used to treat the following conditions:
Herpes zoster (shingles) and ocular zoster in adults with adequate immunity. Herpes zoster in mild or moderate immunosuppressed adults. First episode of genital herpes in immunocompromised people. Genital herpes in immunocompromised patients. Suppression of recurrent genital herpes in immunocompromised patients. Maintenance treatment or prophylaxis against relapse of HSV infection in HIV-infected individuals with frequent or severe relapses. Treatment of herpes of the lips. Treating and preventing recurrent HSV infections in the eye. Prevention of CMV . infection

Valacyclovir is to be taken as directed by your doctor.
Varicella zoster (VZV), herpes zoster and ocular zoster infections
After being diagnosed with herpes zoster, get treatment as soon as possible. Dose: 1000 mg Valacyclovir 3 times daily, for 7 days The dose in immunocompromised patients is 1000 mg 3 times daily, for at least 7 days and for 2 days after the wound has crusted over. In immunocompromised patients, antiviral therapy is given within one week after vesicle formation or anytime before the lesions crust over. Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in adults and adolescents over 12 years old
Herpes lip
Dose of valacyclovir: 2000 mg twice daily. In immunocompromised adults: 1000 mg Valacyclovir twice daily for at least 5 days For subsequent episodes after the initial course, treatment may be extended up to 10 days. Valacyclovir should be started as soon as possible within 48 hours. Genital Herpes
With first episode of infection: In non-immune adults: 1000 mg Valacyclovir x 2 times/day for 7-10 days, if wound healing is incomplete after 10 days, duration of treatment Treatment may last longer. In HIV-infected adults: 1000 mg twice daily for 7-14 days. Recurrent episodes: Immunocompromised adults: 500 mg twice daily for 3 days or 1000 mg once daily for 5 days. In HIV-infected adults: the recommended dose is 1000 mg twice daily for 5–10 days, possibly continued for 7–14 days. Secondary prophylaxis: In immunocompromised individuals: 1000 mg Valaciclovir x 1 time/day. Alternatively, administer 500 mg once daily to those with a history of fewer than 9 recurrences per year. In HIV-infected adults: 500 mg twice daily. Reduce transmission to others:
Dose of 500 mg once daily in people with a history of less than 9 relapses per year. Inhibition of recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection in adults and adolescents over 12 years of age:
Immunocompromised adults and adolescents: 500 mg once daily. For some patients with frequent relapses more than 10 times per year, a daily dose of 500 mg divided into 250 mg twice daily may be used. Immunocompromised adults: The dose is 500 mg twice daily. Prophylaxis of infection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease in adults and adolescents over 12 years:
The dose of Valacyclovir is 2000 mg 4 times/day. The usual duration of treatment is 90 days, but may be prolonged in high-risk patients.

Valacyclovir is taken exactly as prescribed. Do not take Valacyclovir for more than, or for longer, than prescribed by your doctor. Treatment with valacyclovir should be started as soon as possible after the first appearance of symptoms. This medicine may not be effective if Valacyclovir is started 1 or 2 days after the onset of symptoms. Take Valacyclovir with a full glass of water. Drink lots of water while you are taking valacyclovir to keep your kidneys working properly. Valacyclovir is not affected by food. Lesions caused by the herpes virus need to be kept clean and dry. Store valacyclovir at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Do not freeze medicine. Missed dose, Valacyclovir overdose
If you forget a dose of Valacyclovir, take that dose as soon as you remember. If it is not far away from your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose of Valacyclovir on schedule. Do not take a double dose of Valacyclovir to make up for the missed dose. If you overdose on Valacyclovir, overdose symptoms may include: acute renal failure, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, decreased consciousness, coma, nausea, vomiting. . Hemodialysis for the management of symptomatic overdose.

Do not use Valacyclovir if you are sensitive or allergic to valacyclovir or acyclovir.

Common side effects
Headache, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea, dizziness, headache Rash, itching, fatigue, joint pain, sore throat, stuffy nose Uncommon side effects
Shortness of breath, abdominal pain Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia Hallucinations, decreased consciousness, confusion, tremor, agitation Renal pain, hematuria, liver dysfunction Rare side effects
Anaphylaxis, angioedema. Arrhythmia, convulsions, coma, psychosis, delirium. Acute renal failure. Stop taking valacyclovir and call your doctor at once if you have any of the following signs of a serious side effect: Fever, easy bruising or bleeding; red spots on the skin, gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting, pale or yellow skin; fainting, urinating less than usual; pain in the lower back, drowsiness, mood swings, thirst, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, weight gain, trouble breathing, confusion, agitation, aggression, hallucinations, trouble concentrating, feeling shaky or unstable; convulsions.

While using Valacyclovir, you should pay attention to the following issues:
Tell your doctor if you have HIV/AIDS, a weak immune system, kidney disease, or have had a kidney or bone marrow transplant before taking it. valacyclovir. Valacyclovir can cause kidney damage, and this kidney damage can be increased when it is used with other medicines that damage the kidneys. Tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking. Treatment with valacyclovir should be started as soon as possible after the appearance of the first symptoms (eg, itching, burning, blisters). Herpes virus does not harm an unborn baby but can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth. Accordingly, it is very important to prevent herpes lesions during pregnancy so as not to affect the baby when he is born. Valacyclovir does not prevent the spread of genital herpes. Herpes infection is contagious, even while taking this medicine can still infect others. Valacyclovir can pass into breast milk, so Valacyclovir should not be used in this case. Side effects are more likely to appear in older people than in younger people. Do not give valacyclovir to children.

Valacyclovir can harm the kidneys, Valacyclovir should not be used with other drugs that can damage the kidneys such as:
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid) Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall) Pain relievers such as: Aspirin ( Anacin, Excedrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Diclofenac (Voltaren), Etodolac (Lodine), Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), indomethacin (Indocin), Naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn) Mesalamine (Pentasa) or sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) Anti-rejection drugs organ transplant such as: Sirolimus (Rapamune) or tacrolimus (Prograf) Antibiotics such as: Amphotericin B (Fungizone, AmBisome, Amphotec, Abelcet), amikacin (Amikin), bacitracin (Baci-IM), capreomycin (Capastat), gentamicin (Garamycin) , kanamycin (Kantrex), streptomycin, vancomycin (Vancocin, Vancoled) Antiviral drugs such as: Cidofovir (Vistide), Adefovir (Hepsera), foscarnet (Foscavir) Anti-cancer drugs such as: Aldesleukin (Proleukin), cisplatin (Platinol), ifosfamide , oxaliplatin (Eloxatin), plicamycin (Mithracin), streptozotocin (Zanosar), tretinoin (Vesanoid), carmustine (BiCNU, Gliadel). Valacyclovir is an antiviral medicine used to treat diseases caused by the herpes virus. If you decide to take Valacyclovir, you should follow your doctor's instructions exactly. Call your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have any questions about Valacyclovir while taking it.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.