Treatment of herpes zoster (shingles)
Treatment or suppression of genital herpes in immunocompetent individuals and for the suppression of recurrent genital herpes in HIV infected individuals.
Reduce the risk of transmission of genital herpes with the use of suppressive therapy
Treatment of cold sores (herpes labialis)
Headache
Nausea
Acute kidney injury
Increased AST and ALT
CNS effects (agitation, hallucinations, confusion and encephalopathy)
Thrombotic thrombocytopenia Purpura/ Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
No significant drug interactions.
Increased risk of nephrotoxicity when used concomitantly with other nephrotoxic agents.
ValACYclovir is a prodrug of the antiviral acyclovir. ValACYclovir is rapidly and near completely converted to acyclovir which has inhibitory activity against herpes simplex virus HSV-1 HSV-2 and Varicella zoster virus (VZV).
Patents should remain adequately hydrated to prevent acute kidney injury.
Pharmacology category: Antiviral
Pregnancy Category: B
Average Serum Half life: 3 hour