Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir (VAL-uh-SY-kloh-veer) is a substance that is being studied in the prevention of fungal, bacterial, and viral infections in patients undergoing donor stem cell transplantation with cells that are infected with cytomegalovirus. It belongs to the family of drugs called antivirals.

Information about Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir is a nucleoside analogue antiviral agent and prodrug of acyclovir which is used in therapy of herpes and varicella-zoster virus infections. Valacyclovir has been associated with rare instances mild, clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir (val" ay sye' kloe vir), which is sometimes spelled valaciclovir, is an acyclic purine nucleoside analogue that is rapidly converted to acyclovir once absorbed. Valacyclovir has greater oral bioavailability than acyclovir and has similar activity against herpes viruses, including herpes simplex 1 and 2, cytomegalovirus, Ebstein-Barr virus and varicella-zoster. Once converted to acyclovir, the drug is phosphorylated intracellularly by viral kinases. The resultant triphosphate competes with guanosine for incorporation into viral DNA, blocking viral DNA polymerase activity. Because its activation requires the presence of viral kinases, valacyclovir is only activated in virally infected cells. Valacyclovir is indicated for therapy of mucocutaneous and genital herpes simplex infections, both type 1 and 2 and for herpes zoster.

FDA approval information for Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir was approved for use in the United States in 1995 and is widely used in the treatment and prophylaxis of genital and mucocutaneous herpes simplex infection. Valacyclovir is available as capsules of 500 mg and 1000 mg generically and under the brand name of Valtrex.

Dosage and administration for Valacyclovir

The usually recommended dose in adults is 500 to 1000 mg once or twice daily. Side effects are uncommon, but include headache, dizziness and gastrointestinal upset.

Drugs for HIV Infection, in the Subclass Antiretroviral Agents

• Fusion Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Enfuvirtide, Maraviroc

• Integrase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Dolutegravir, Elvitegravir, Raltegravir

• Monoclonal Antibodies
  • Ibalizumab

• Nonnucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Delavirdine, Efavirenz, Etravirine, Nevirapine, Rilpivirine

• Nucleoside Analogues (HIV)
  • Abacavir, Didanosine, Emtricitabine, Lamivudine, Stavudine, Tenofovir, Zidovudine

• Protease Inhibitors (HIV)
  • Amprenavir, Atazanavir, Darunavir, Fosamprenavir, Indinavir, Lopinavir, Nelfinavir, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Tipranavir

Drugs for Hepatitis B

• Alpha Interferon, Adefovir, Emtricitabine, Entecavir, Lamivudine, Telbivudine, Tenofovir

Drugs for Hepatitis C

• Interferon Based Therapies
  • Alpha Interferon and Peginterferon, Ribavirin

HCV NS5A Inhibitors

• Daclatasvir, Elbasvir, Ledipasvir, Ombitasvir, Pibrentasvir, Velpatasvir

HCV NS5B Inhibitors (Polymerase inhibitors)

• Dasabuvir, Sofosbuvir

HCV Protease Inhibitors

• Asunaprevir, Boceprevir, Glecaprevir, Grazoprevir, Paritaprevir, Simeprevir, Telaprevir, Voxilaprevir

Combination Therapies

• Epclusa, Harvoni, Mavyret, Technive, Viekira Pak, Vosevi, Zepatier

Drugs for Herpes Virus

• infections (HSV), CMV, others

Acyclovir, Cidofovir, Famciclovir, Foscarnet, Ganciclovir, Valacyclovir, Valganciclovir

Drugs for Influenza

• Amantadine, Oseltamivir, Peramivir, Rimantadine, Zanamivir

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