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Valtrex

Valaciclovir
Valaciclovir structure.svg
Clinical data
Trade names Valtrex
AHFS/Drugs.com Monograph
MedlinePlus a695010
License data
Pregnancy
category
  • AU: B3
  • US: B (No risk in non-human studies)
Routes of
administration
Oral
ATC code
Legal status
Legal status
  • AU: S4 (Prescription only)
  • UK: POM (Prescription only)
  • US: ℞-only
  • In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability 55%
Protein binding 13–18%
Metabolism Hepatic (to aciclovir)
Biological half-life <30 minutes (valaciclovir);
2.5–3.6 hours (aciclovir)
Excretion Renal 40–50% (aciclovir),
faecal 47% (aciclovir)
Identifiers
CAS Number
PubChem CID
IUPHAR/BPS
DrugBank
ChemSpider
UNII
KEGG
ChEBI
ChEMBL
NIAID ChemDB
ECHA InfoCard 100.114.479
Chemical and physical data
Formula C13H20N6O4
Molar mass 324.336 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)
 NYesY (what is this?)  

Valaciclovir, also spelled valacyclovir, is an antiviral drug used in the management of herpes simplex, herpes zoster (shingles), and herpes B.

It is a prodrug, being converted in vivo to aciclovir.

Valaciclovir was approved for medical use in 1995. It is marketed by GlaxoSmithKline under the trade names Valtrex and Zelitrex. Valaciclovir has been available as a generic drug in the U.S. since November 25, 2009.

Valaciclovir is indicated for the treatment of HSV and VZV infections, including:

It has shown promise as a treatment for infectious mononucleosis, and is preventively administered in suspected cases of herpes B virus exposure.

Common adverse drug reactions (≥1% of patients) associated with valaciclovir therapy are the same as for aciclovir, its active metabolite, and 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 (<0.1% of patients) include: coma, seizures, neutropenia, leukopenia, tremor, ataxia, encephalopathy, psychotic symptoms, crystalluria, anorexia, fatigue, hepatitis, Stevens–Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis and/or anaphylaxis.


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