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Valacyclovir Hydro Chloride

Valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes zoster (shingles), genital herpes, and cold sores. It works by inhibiting viral DNA replication and deactivating viral DNA polymerase. It is available as 500 mg or 1 g tablets. Dosages vary depending on the condition being treated, from 500 mg twice daily for genital herpes to 1 g three times daily for shingles. Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. It is contraindicated in those with an allergy to valacyclovir or acyclovir and should be used cautiously in pregnancy, renal impairment, and lactation.

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614 views3 pages

Valacyclovir Hydro Chloride

Valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex) is an antiviral medication used to treat herpes zoster (shingles), genital herpes, and cold sores. It works by inhibiting viral DNA replication and deactivating viral DNA polymerase. It is available as 500 mg or 1 g tablets. Dosages vary depending on the condition being treated, from 500 mg twice daily for genital herpes to 1 g three times daily for shingles. Common side effects include headache, nausea, and diarrhea. It is contraindicated in those with an allergy to valacyclovir or acyclovir and should be used cautiously in pregnancy, renal impairment, and lactation.

Uploaded by

api-3797941
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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valacyclovir hydrochloride

(val ah sye' kloe ver)


Valtrex

Pregnancy Category B

Drug class
Antiviral

Therapeutic actions
Antiviral activity; inhibits viral DNA replication and deactivates viral DNA polymerase.

Indications
• Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles) in immunocompromised adults
• Episodic treatment of first-episode or recurrent genital herpes
• Suppression of recurrent episodes of genital herpes
• Reduction of risk of heterosexual transmission of genital herpes to healthy
partners when combined with safe sex practices
• Treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis) in healthy adults

Contraindications and cautions


• Contraindicated with allergy to valacyclovir or acyclovir.
• Use cautiously with pregnancy, renal impairment, thrombotic thrombocytopenic
purpura, lactation.

Available forms
Tablets—500 mg, 1 g

Dosages
Systemic
ADULTS
• Herpes zoster: 1 g tid PO for 7 days; most effective if started within 48 hr of
onset of symptoms.
• Genital herpes: 500 mg PO bid for 5 days.
• Episodic treatment of recurrent genital herpes: 500 mg PO bid for 3 days.
• Suppression of recurrent episodes of genital herpes: 1 g PO daily; patients with
history of < 9 episodes in 1 yr may respond to 500 mg PO daily.
• Reduction of risk of transmission: 500 mg/day PO daily for the source partner.
• Cold sores: 2 g PO bid for one day.
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS
Safety and efficacy not established.
PATIENTS WITH RENAL IMPAIRMENT
Creatinine Clearance Dose
(mL/min)
> 50 1 g q 8 hr
30–49 1 g q 12 hr
10–29 1 g q 24 hr
< 10 500 mg q
24 hr

Pharmacokinetics
Route Onset Peak
Oral Rapid 3 hr

Metabolism: T1/2: 2.5–3.3 hr


Distribution: Crosses placenta: enters breast milk
Excretion: Unchanged in the urine and feces

Adverse effects
• CNS: Headache, dizziness
• GI: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia

Interactions
Drug-drug
• Decreased rate of effectiveness with probenecid, cimetidine

Nursing considerations
CLINICAL ALERT!
Name confusion has been reported with Valtrex (valacyclovir) and Valcyte
(valganciclovir); use caution.

Assessment
• History: Allergy to valacyclovir, acyclovir; renal disease; lactation; thrombotic
thrombocytopenic purpura, pregnancy
• Physical: Orientation; urinary output; abdominal exam, normal output; BUN,
creatinine clearance

Interventions
• Begin treatment within 72 hr of onset of symptoms of shingles.
• Administer without regard to meals; administer with meals to decrease GI upset if
necessary.
• Provide appropriate analgesics for headache, discomfort of shingles.
• Advise continued use of safe sex practices.

Teaching points
• Take this drug without regard to meals; if GI upset is a problem, take with meals.
• Take the full course of therapy as prescribed.
• Avoid contact with lesions and avoid intercourse when lesions or symptoms are
present to avoid infecting others.
• Start therapy at first sign of an episode when treating recurrent herpes.
• These side effects may occur: Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea;
headache, dizziness.
• Report severe diarrhea, nausea; headache; worsening of the shingles.

Adverse effects in Italic are most common; those in Bold are life-threatening.

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