Antimicrobials
Valacyclovir

Valacyclovir

None
Moderate
$<1-2/day

Spectrum of Activity

Dosing

General Information

Therapy for herpes viral infections (HSV) and varicella-zoster infections (VZV)

  •  GI upset
  •  Phlebitis
  •  Increased SCr

May diminish the efficacy of zoster live or varicella vaccine

More convenient dosing than oral acyclovir

Antimicrobial class: Antiviral, nucleoside analogue

Pregnancy category: B

Average serum half life: 3 hours

Comments: Prodrug of acyclovir. Rapidly converted from valacyclovir to acyclovir