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Concept
Valaciclovir
Summary
Valaciclovir, also spelled valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication used to treat outbreaks of herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles). It is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus following a kidney transplant in high risk cases. It is taken by mouth.
Common side effects include headache and vomiting. Severe side effects may include kidney problems. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. It is a prodrug, which works after being converted to aciclovir in a person's body.
Valaciclovir was patented in 1987 and came into medical use in 1995. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2020, it was the 119th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5 million prescriptions.
Valaciclovir is used for the treatment of HSV and VZV infections, including:
Oral and genital herpes simplex (treatment and prevention)
Reduction of HSV transmission from people with recurrent infection to uninfected individuals
Herpes zoster (shingles): the typical dosage for treatment of herpes is 1,000 mg orally three times a day for seven consecutive days.
Prevention of cytomegalovirus following organ transplantation
Prevention of herpesviruses in immunocompromised people (such as those undergoing cancer chemotherapy)
Chickenpox in children (ages 2–18)
It has shown promise as a treatment for infectious mononucleosis and is preventively administered in suspected cases of herpes B virus exposure.
Bell's palsy does not seem to benefit from using valaciclovir as its only treatment.
Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of people) associated with valaciclovir are the same as for aciclovir, its active metabolite. They include: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and headache. Infrequent adverse effects (0.1–1% of patients) include: agitation, vertigo, confusion, dizziness, edema, arthralgia, sore throat, constipation, abdominal pain, rash, weakness and/or renal impairment. Rare adverse effects (
Official source
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