Gm.Medica

 

Generic Name: Valacyclovir

Brand Name:

VALCIVIR (Genome)

VALTREX (GlaxoSmithKline)

Chemical Class:

Acyclic purine nucleoside analog

Therapeutic Class:

Antiviral

Dosage form:

Tab 500 mg

Indication and Dose:

Adult:

Herpes Zoster:

2 tablet three times daily

Herpes Simplex:

1^st attack 1 tablet daily for 5-10 days starting as soon as possible after the onset of the lesion. Recurrent attract 1 tablet twice daily for 5 days starting during the prodromal period or as soon as possible after the onset of lesion.

Cold Sores (herpes Labilalis):

2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g. tingling, itching, or burning )

Genital Herpes:

1 gram twice daily for 10 days. therapy was most effective when administrated within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms.

Recurrent Episodes:

The recommended dosage of valacyclovir hydrochloride for the treatment of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg twice daily for 3 days. Initiate treatment at the first sign or symptoms of an episode.

Suppressive therapy:

The recommended dosage of valacyclovir hydrochloride for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 1 gram once daily in patients with normal immune function. In patients with a history of 9 or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dose is 500 mg once daily.

In HIV –infected patients with a CD4+ cell count= 100 cells/mm3, the recommended dosage of valacyclovir hydrochloride for chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes is 500 mg twice daily.

Reduction of Transmission:

The recommended dosage of valacyclovir hydrochloride for reduction of transmission of genital herpes in a patient with a history of 9 or fewer recurrence per year is 500 mg once daily for the source partner.

Herpes Zoster:

1 gram 3 times daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom of herpes zoster and is most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of rash

Pediatric

Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis):

Cold sores in pediatric patients = 12 years of age is 2 grams twice daily for 1 day taken 12 hours apart. therapy should be initiated at the earliest symptom of a cold sore (e.g. tingling, itching, or burning )

Chickenpox:

Pediatric patients 2 to < 18 years of age is 20 mg/kg administrated 3 times daily for 5 days. The total dose should not exceed 1 gram 3 times daily. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptoms.

Contraindications:

In patients who have had a demonstrated clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction (e.g. anaphylaxis) to valacyclovir, acyclovir, or any component of the formulation

Side effects/Adverse reactions:

General: Facial edema, hypertension, tachycardia,

Allergic: Acute hypersensitivity reactions including anaphylaxis, angioedema, dyspnea, pruritus, rash, and urticaria

CNS symptoms: Aggressive behavior, agitation, ataxia, coma, confusion, decreased consciousness, dysarthria, encephalopathy, mania, and psychosis, including auditory and visual hallucinations, seizures, tremors

Eye: Visual abnormalities

Gastrointestinal: diarrhea

Hepatobiliary tract and Pancreas: Liver enzymes abnormalities, hepatitis

Renal: renal failure, renal pain, ( may be associated with renal failure )

Hematologic: Thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, leukocytoclastic vacuities

Skin: Erythema multiform, rashes including photosensitivity , alopecia