Valtrex: a new generation drug for the treatment of herpes

Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics

The main substance of this drug is the L-valine ester of acyclovir. Inside the body, under the influence of the enzyme valacyclovir hydrolase, it is quickly and fully converted into acyclovir and valine.

The drug exhibits significant activity against viruses: herpes types 1, 2 and 6, herpes zoster, chickenpox , CMV, Epstein-Barr virus. In this case, inhibition of the production of viral DNA as a result of phosphorylation promotes the conversion of the drug into the active substance - acyclovir triphosphate.

In the body, the drug undergoes numerous complex reactions with the formation of components that affect various viruses, blocking their further development.

Once inside the body, valacyclovir, the active substance of this drug, undergoes complete absorption in the gastrointestinal tract. In general, all processes involving this drug, including metabolic ones, occur quite quickly.

The active substances are distributed in various tissues without significantly binding to plasma proteins. The drug is eliminated from the body through the kidneys in metabolites .

Indications for use

The drug is prescribed to adult patients for the treatment of:

• herpes zoster, when it is necessary to reduce the manifestation and duration of pain;
• infectious diseases of the skin and mucous membranes caused by HSV and other viruses.

And also for the purpose of preventing relapses of infectious lesions of the skin and mucous membranes caused by HSV, including genital herpes , preventing its spread.

For adult patients and adolescents, tablets are recommended as a prophylactic against CMV infection, acute transplant rejection reactions, opportunistic infections, and so on.

Contraindications

The use of this medicine is not recommended for:

• hypersensitivity to its components;
• children under 12 years of age, for the purpose of preventing CMV infection after transplantation;
• under 18 years of age for other cases.

Caution is required in patients with renal failure , severe degrees of HIV infection and in combination with nephrotoxic drugs.

Interaction with other drugs

Clinically significant interactions have not been established. Acyclovir is eliminated in the urine mainly unchanged, being actively secreted into the renal tubules. After the administration of 1 gram of valacyclovir, cimetidine and probenecid, by blocking tubular secretion, increase the AUC of acyclovir and reduce its renal clearance. However, this dose of valacyclovir does not require any adjustment due to the broad therapeutic index of acyclovir. Caution must be exercised in the case of simultaneous use of Valtrex in higher doses (4 g per day) and drugs that compete with acyclovir for the elimination pathway, since there is a potential threat of increased plasma levels of one or both drugs or their metabolites. An increase in the AUC of acyclovir and the inactive metabolite mycophenolate mofetil, an immunosuppressive drug used in transplantation, was observed when these drugs were administered concomitantly. Caution should also be exercised (monitor changes in renal function) when combining valacyclovir at higher doses (4 g per day or more) with drugs that affect other renal functions (for example, cyclosporine, tacrolimus).

Side effects

As a rule, these herpes pills are well tolerated by patients, but sometimes undesirable effects may develop that affect various systems and organs. Some patients may experience headaches, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath . Rashes, skin irritations and other disorders are possible.

Valtrex tablets, instructions for use (Method and dosage)

According to the instructions for use of Valtrex, the tablets are intended to be taken orally, regardless of food intake, with water.

In this case, the treatment regimen with tablets is established taking into account the type of disorder and the individual characteristics of the patient.

During the treatment of herpes zoster, tablets are prescribed in a daily dosage of 1 g, taken 3 times a day for 7 days.

Treatment of infections that cause HSV involves taking a therapeutic daily dosage of 500 mg twice a day for 5 days.

It should be noted that a favorable treatment outcome largely depends on how earlier the medication is started. It is possible to increase the therapeutic course to 10 days. In any case, you need to take the pills as prescribed by your doctor.

special instructions

Patients of older age categories during the course of therapy need to consume an increased volume of water in order to maintain normal water-electrolyte balance and avoid dehydration. For patients in older age categories, it is necessary to adjust the dosage of Valtrex due to the risk of renal impairment and the wide range of action of acyclovir. These measures will help eliminate neurological complications. For liver diseases, the drug should be taken with caution.

During the course of treatment with Valtrex you are required to abstain from sexual intercourse. Preventive treatment reduces the risk of contracting the infectious agent in a sexual partner, but it does not guarantee safe sex and does not lead to a complete cure for the virus. To eliminate the risk of infection, it is necessary to use contraceptives. The active substance of Valtrex can reduce concentration and reaction speed, so it is not recommended to drive a car or use machinery during treatment.

Valtrex analogs

Level 4 ATC code matches:
Herperax

Vivorax

Vairova

Acyclostad

Geviran

Walcyte

Valavir

Ribavirin

Valvir

Rebetol

Cyclovir

Famciclovir Teva

Famvir

Valaciclovir

The following have a similar effect: Valcicon, Valogard, Virdel, Valacyclovir, Valavir, Famvir . At the same time, the price of Valtrex analogues varies between 70-3500 rubles.

Valtrex or Valacyclovir – which is better?

As you know, the active substance of Valtrex is valacyclovir. Moreover, the therapeutic effect of each drug is based on Acyclovir . Acyclovir is an antiviral drug that blocks the development of the virus at the cellular level. According to experts, the effectiveness of each of these drugs is almost equal.

The action of such drugs helps to suppress the development of the virus and eliminate the symptoms of the disease, and also prevents the virus from multiplying and infecting other people. The advantage of these drugs is their selective activity, that is, they only affect cells attacked by the virus. In this case, the effectiveness of the drug primarily depends on the individual characteristics of the patient, and then on the complexity of the disease.

Valtrex or Acyclovir – which is better?

The therapeutic effect of Valtrex is based on acyclovir , so there is no big difference between these drugs. However, the price of Valtrex is significantly higher than the price of its analogue. In any case, you should choose which drug is right for you after consulting your doctor.

Valtrex and Famvir – which is better?

Famvir contains components that are synthesized in the human body, resulting in the formation of acyclovir. As a result, their more pronounced effectiveness is manifested, which is not reflected in their high cost.

Penciclovir is formed from Famvir inside the body . Moreover, it is effectively used for the same indications as Valtrex. Which of these drugs is better depends on how it will affect a particular patient.

Valaciclovir preparations

1. Valtrex (GlaxoSmithKline, Spain)
2. Valvir (Actavis Group PTC ehf., Iceland)
3. Valtsikon (Vertex, Russia)
4. Valogard (Farmak, Ukraine)
5. Valacyclovir (Belmedpreparaty, Belarus)
6. Vairova (Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., India)

Reviews about Valtrex

As you know, the herpes simplex virus is widespread in modern society, and therefore drugs that are designed to combat it are especially popular. A large number of medications have been created to treat and prevent possible relapses of the disease.

At the same time, opinions and reviews about Valtrex are noticeably diverse, that is, there are many both positive and negative reviews. For example, for some, the drug helps to almost completely get rid of the symptoms of herpes for many years, while for others, another development of the infection occurred a couple of weeks after completion of treatment. And according to some patients, this medicine should be taken during relapses of the disease.

It should be noted that the treatment of viral infections itself is a rather complex and strictly individual process. Although, as reviews on forums show, herpes is very common and for many people is considered a common cold, in fact such a virus significantly undermines human health, complicating the course of other diseases.

The use of antiviral drugs usually follows the same pattern. Therefore, doctors' reviews about Valtrex do not contain any significant information. Sometimes they recommend using different forms of medications at the same time, such as ointment and tablets.

In any case, the basic principle of treating relapses of the disease involves the rapid initiation of antiviral drugs as soon as the first symptoms appear. Many people suffering from herpes or other chronic viral infections have reduced immunity . For this reason, proper treatment should include additional measures to strengthen the defenses of the human body.

Doctor's recommendations

During treatment with an antiviral drug, paying close attention to your health and following all the recommendations of your doctor will reduce the risk of side effects and also prevent infection of loved ones. If alarming symptoms appear, you should immediately contact your doctor or the doctor on duty at the nearest medical facility.

Medical help will be needed if the following symptoms are present:

• severe dizziness;
• difficulty breathing;
• red pinpoint rashes on the skin or mucous membranes of the mouth;
• fever without a clear cause;
• difficulty swallowing, speaking;
• the appearance of ulcerations on the oral mucosa;
• sudden bleeding;
• nausea, vomiting;
• dyspeptic symptoms;
• the appearance of bruises of unknown origin.

In laboratory conditions, the drug does not have a teratogenic or fertility suppressing effect. However, the effect of the active substance on the fetus and the woman herself during pregnancy has not yet been fully studied. Therefore, taking into account the ease of overcoming the placental barrier, treatment with Valtrex for women expecting a child is permissible only in cases where the harm to the pathology outweighs the danger to the fetus when taking the medicine.

The substance also has the ability to accumulate in high concentrations in breast milk. Because of this, doctors do not recommend using this remedy during breastfeeding. Valtrex is used with caution only in cases of extremely severe herpes in the mother.

The drug must be stored in a place inaccessible to children, at a temperature not exceeding +30°. Be sure to pay attention to the expiration date of the medicine. Expired medication can have a toxic effect on the body.

When treating with Valtrex, you should strictly adhere to the doses prescribed by your doctor. An overdose of the drug can lead to the development of kidney failure, nausea, severe vomiting, confusion, hallucinations, and coma.

Valtrex price, where to buy

The price of Valtrex tablets depends on their quantity in the package. At the same time, you can buy such herpes pills in Moscow at a cost of 1150-3300 rubles.

The price of Valtrex in Ukraine is 220-800 UAH.

• Online pharmacies in RussiaRussia
• Online pharmacies in KazakhstanKazakhstan

LuxPharma* special offer

• Valtrex (Valtrex) tablets 500 mg N42
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ZdravCity

• Valtrex tablets p.p.o. 500 mg 10 pcs Glaxo Wellcome S.A.

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• Valtrex tablets p.p.o. 500 mg 42 pcs. Glaxo Wellcome S.A.

  RUR 3,178 order

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• Valtrex tablets 500 mg No. 42GlaxoSmithKline

  RUR 3,378 order

• Valtrex tablets 500 mg No. 10GlaxoSmithKline

  RUB 1,221 order

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Price

The drug is available in pharmacy chains and online pharmaceutical stores. The cost may vary from different sellers depending on their pricing policy. The approximate price for Valtrex is: