Composition
Tab: Valacyclovir (as HCI) 500 mg.
Indications & Dosage
Herpes zoster infection, treatment: Adult: 1 g 3 times a day for 7 days; for treatment of recurrent infections: 500 mg twice daily for 3-5 days. Herpes zoster infection, treatment in immune-compromised patients: Adult: 1 g 3 times a day for at least 7 days and continued for 2 days after crusting of lesions; for treatment of recurrent infections:1 g twice daily for 5-10 days. Herpes simplex, treatment of first infective episode: Adult: 500 mg twice daily for 5 days (longer if new lesions appear during treatment or healing is incomplete). Herpes simplex infections treatment of first episode in Immune-compromised or HIV-positive patients: Adult: 1 g twice daily for 10 days. Herpes labialis treatment: Adult & Children above 12yrs: Initially 2 g, then 2 g after 12 hours. Herpes simplex, suppression of infections: Adult: 500 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses, interrupted every 6-12 months to reassess recurrence frequency; consider restarting after two or more recurrences. Herpes simplex, suppression of infections in immune-compromised or HIV-positive patients: Adult: 500 mg twice daily, interrupted every 6-12 months to reassess recurrence frequency; consider restarting after two or more recurrences. Genital herpes, reduction of transmission: Adult: 500 mg once daily, to be taken by the infected partner. Prevention of cytomegalovirus disease following solidorgan transplantation when valganciclovir or ganciclovircan not be used: Adult: 2 g 4 times a day for 90 days, starting within 72 hours of transplantation.
Precautions
Elderly (risk of neurological reactions), maintain adequate hydration, renal and hepatic impairment.
Interactions
Nephrotoxic drugs, iodinated contrast media. methotrexate, cyclosporin, foscarnet, tacrolimus, mycophenolatemofetil.
Pregnancy
Caution advised
Lactation
Caution advised
Side Effects
Abdominal pain, diarrhoea, fatigue, headache, nausea, photosensitivity, pruritus, rash, urticaria, vomiting. Rare: Acute renal failure, anaemia, ataxia, confusion, convulsions, dizziness, drowsiness, dysarthria, dyspnea, hallucinations, hepatitis, jaundice, leucopenia, neurological reactions, thrombocytopenia