Antimicrobials
Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir

None
Excellent
$

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

Treatment and prophylaxis of HSV-1 and HSV-2, VZV

Laboratory

  • BMP and CBC periodically

Clinical

  • Signs and symptoms of overdose: nausea, vomiting/lethergy, abdominal pain, tremor (other CNS toxicity)

Generally very well tolerated

Rare

  •  Nausea/vomiting, rash
  •  CNS (agitation, diziness, confusion, seizure)
  •  Transaminase elevation
  • Anemia
  •  Neutropenia
  •  Hypotension

Pro-drug of acyclovir with improved absorption and more convenient dosing compared to oral acyclovir.

Antimicrobial class: Antiviral - Synthetic Guanine Analog

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 3 hours

Biliary penetration: Moderate

CSF penetration: High

Lung penetration: High

Urine penetration: High