Valacyclovir Hydrochloride
Chickenpox, Herpes Labialis, Genital Herpes + 5 more
Treatment
20 Active Studies for Valacyclovir Hydrochloride
Treatment for
Chickenpox
What is Valacyclovir Hydrochloride
Valaciclovir
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Valaciclovir, more commonly known as Valtrex, is an antiviral drug used to treat herpes infections. It was approved by the FDA in 1995 and is used to treat genital herpes, which is a sexually transmitted infection that affects over 400 million people worldwide. Valaciclovir works by preventing the herpes simplex virus (HSV) from replicating, helping to reduce the frequency of herpes episodes and outbreaks.
Valtrex
is the brand name
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Valtrex
Valaciclovir
1995
231
Effectiveness
How Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Affects Patients
Valacyclovir can be used to treat HSV-1, HSV-2, VZV, EBV, and CMV. Taking valacyclovir for one or two days can reduce the length of cold sore episodes, and taking it for three to five days can help heal genital herpes sores. In studies, taking valacyclovir helped these sores heal faster and eased pain. Some viruses, like VZV, can become resistant to acyclovir if it is taken too often, so it is important to follow the recommended dosage instructions.
How Valacyclovir Hydrochloride works in the body
Valacyclovir is a type of medicine used to fight viruses like herpes, chicken pox, and other forms of the virus. It works by attacking the virus' DNA and preventing it from replicating. Valacyclovir is converted into its active form, Acyclovir, in the body. Acyclovir is then taken up by the virus-infected cells and is broken down into smaller pieces, which then block the virus' DNA from replicating. Acyclovir also stops the virus' DNA polymerase from working, which helps to keep the virus from spreading. Finally, it inactivates
When to interrupt dosage
The suggested dosage of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, like Genital Herpes, Herpes Labialis and Chickenpox. The measure of dosage is subject to the mode of administration (e.g. Oral or Tablet, film coated - Oral) described in the following table.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Herpes Genitalis
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Chickenpox
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Genital Herpes
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Herpes Labialis
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Shingles
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
HIV
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Genital Herpes
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Genital Herpes
, 500.0 mg, 1000.0 mg
, Oral, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Tablet - Oral, Tablet, Tablet, coated, Tablet, coated - Oral, Capsule, Capsule - Oral
Warnings
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Contraindications
Condition
Risk Level
Notes
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Valaciclovir may interact with Pulse Frequency
Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions
Do Not Combine
Valaciclovir may interact with Pulse Frequency
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Valacyclovir Hydrochloride.
Common Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Neomycin
Major
The risk or severity of nephrotoxicity can be increased when Valaciclovir is combined with Neomycin.
Tenofovir
Major
Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir.
Tenofovir alafenamide
Major
Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir alafenamide.
Tenofovir disoproxil
Major
Valaciclovir may increase the nephrotoxic activities of Tenofovir disoproxil.
Abacavir
Minor
Valaciclovir may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Valacyclovir has an LD50 of 903.5 milligrams per kilogram in rats. It has not been linked to cancer, but it may cause mutations in cells when exposed to certain metabolic processes. It has also been found to be safe for use in pregnancy, but should be used with caution when nursing. Elderly patients and those with reduced kidney function may be more prone to developing toxic side effects from valacyclovir, such as changes in mental state or brain function. Doses should be adjusted for these patients to reduce the risk of toxicity.
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Valacyclovir Hydrochloride?
Currently, 62 active clinical trials are examining the potential of Valacyclovir Hydrochloride to manage Herpes Labialis, Genital Herpes and other Genital Herpes-related disorders.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Genital Herpes
0 Actively Recruiting
HIV
40 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 1, Early Phase 1, Not Applicable, Phase 4
Herpes Labialis
0 Actively Recruiting
Genital Herpes
0 Actively Recruiting
Chickenpox
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Phase 3
Genital Herpes
0 Actively Recruiting
Shingles
4 Actively Recruiting
Phase 2, Phase 1
Herpes Genitalis
0 Actively Recruiting
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride Reviews: What are patients saying about Valacyclovir Hydrochloride?
5
Patient Review
11/14/2021
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Cold Sore
5
Patient Review
1/3/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Cold Sore
5
Patient Review
5/10/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
5
Patient Review
5/11/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection in HIV
5
Patient Review
9/19/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Recurrent Genital Herpes
5
Patient Review
4/16/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Suppression of Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection in HIV
3.7
Patient Review
7/26/2021
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Genital Herpes
3.3
Patient Review
4/2/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
3
Patient Review
2/10/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for infection caused by a virus
2.7
Patient Review
10/17/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Prevent Recurrent Herpes Simplex Infection
2.3
Patient Review
6/4/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
2
Patient Review
8/27/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
1.7
Patient Review
12/3/2021
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
1.7
Patient Review
10/31/2021
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Cold Sore
1
Patient Review
9/28/2022
Valacyclovir Hydrochloride for Shingles
Patient Q&A Section about valacyclovir hydrochloride
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What should I avoid while taking valacyclovir?
"Avoid sexual intercourse. Avoid direct contact with infected areas. Avoid touching an infected area and then your eyes."
Answered by AI
What happens if you take valacyclovir?
"Valacyclovir may cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and nausea, which are the most common side effects affecting more than one percent of users. Less common side effects affecting less than one percent of users include vertigo and dizziness."
Answered by AI
Is a valacyclovir an antibiotic?
"Valacyclovir is an antiviral drug that stops the growth of certain viruses, but it is not a cure for these infections. The viruses that cause these infections continue to live in the body even between outbreaks."
Answered by AI
What is valacyclovir hydrochloride for?
"Valacyclovir is used to treat herpes virus infections in adults, including herpes labialis, herpes zoster, and herpes simplex."
Answered by AI