Valtrex is an antiviral drug that serves as a specific inhibitor of DNA polymerase of herpes viruses and also blocks the synthesis and replication of microorganisms. The substance valacyclovir is converted in the human body into acyclovir and amino acid, as a result of phosphorylation, an intense acyclovir triphosphate is formed, which competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase.
| Drug Name | Generic Valtrex | Generic Valtrex |
|---|---|---|
| Doses | 500mg, 1000mg | 500mg, 1000mg |
| Per Pill | $0.35 | $3.33 |
| Visit Pharmacy |  |
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Over the past decades, only a few antiviral drugs with proven clinical efficacy have been developed. Acyclovir was the first agent for systemic use, effective against HSV-1 and HSV-2. However, it has a relatively low bioavailability (10-20 %), which limits the possibilities of its oral administration.
Patients with low sensitivity to the main component of the drug are not often found, but there are cases when there are patients with serious immunity disorders, in particular, with a bone marrow transplant who have been given chemotherapy in connection with malignant neoplasms in HIV-infected people.
Valacyclovir (Valtrex) has appeared in clinical practice relatively recently. At first, the indications for its use did not differ from the indications of acyclovir. However, after the registration of the drug, clinical studies aimed at developing new dosage regimens and new indications for use were continued, which made it possible to clarify the place of valacyclovir in modern therapy of herpesvirus diseases.
Indications
The use of the drug is intended for the treatment and prevention of infections caused by the Herpes zoster virus, a cytomegalovirus infection that progresses with organ transplantation, the treatment of labial fever and infections of the skin and mucous membranes. Valtrex is able to prevent the formation of lesions if taken at the initial appearance of the initial signs of recurrent herpes simplex.
Contraindications
It is not recommended for people with hypersensitivity to valacyclovir, acyclovir and to every other ingredient included in the structure of this substance. Patients who have a manifest form of HIV infection should use the drug with caution. With caution, Valtrex is prescribed during pregnancy, dehydration, kidney failure.
Use during pregnancy and lactation
There have been no controlled clinical studies on the safety of acyclovir use in pregnant women. The use is possible only when the expected benefit to the mother’s body exceeds the likely risk to the fetus. Valacyclovir penetrates into mother’s milk, so it is highly recommended to abstain from it during breastfeeding.
Side effects
There is a risk of symptoms of nausea, discomfort, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and anorexia. It is extremely rare to find a transient increase in liver function tests and impaired consciousness. In isolated cases, coma.
Allergic manifestations are also expressed in the form of rash, itching, urticaria, angioedema, and anaphylaxis. There are also side effects such as shortness of breath, thrombocytopenia, the threat of stable kidney robots, photosensitization.