Daily Medication Pearl: Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Medication Pearl of the Day: Valacyclovir (Valtrex)

Indication: Valtrex is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for adult patients with cold sores (herpes labialis) or genital herpes. It can treat herpes virus infections, including shingles, cold sores, and genital herpes, as well as chickenpox. However, this treatment does not cure herpes, but could help to prevent herpes sores or blisters.

Insight:

• Dosing: Depending on the indication, it could be 500 mg to 2 gram every day to every 12 hours.
• Dosage forms: Caplets: 500 mg (unscored), 1 gram (partially scored).
• Adverse events: The most common adverse reactions reported in at least 1 indication by >10% of adult patients treated with Valtrex and more commonly than in patients treated with placebo are headache, nausea, and abdominal pain.
• Mechanism of action: Valacyclovir is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase 497 inhibitor. Valacyclovir hydrochloride is rapidly converted to acyclovir, which has demonstrated 498 antiviral activity against HSV types 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2) and VZV both in cell culture and 499 in vivo.
• Manufacturer: GSK

Sources:

Valtrex (Valacyclovir Hydrochloride) Caplets (fda.gov)

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