Valaciclovir

Valaciclovir (valacyclovir), also known as Valtrex, is an antiviral drug that has been used to manage and treat various herpes infections for more than 2 decades. It was initially approved by the FDA in 1995 and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline . Valacyclovir is the L-valine ester of aciclovir. It is a member of the purine (guanine) nucleoside analog drug class . This class of drugs forms an important part of hepatitis, HIV, and cytomegalovirus drug regimens .

One major use of valacyclovir is the treatment of genital herpes episodes or outbreaks. Genital herpes is a frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted disease which currently affects more than 400 million individuals worldwide. It is caused by infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). Infection with this virus is lifelong with periodic episodes of reactivation .

Valacyclovir is a nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for :

Adults

• Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis)

• Genital Herpes

• Treatment of genital herpes lesions in immunocompetent patients (initial or recurrent episode)

• Suppression of genital herpes lesions in immunocompetent or HIV-infected patients

• Reduction of viral transmission

• Herpes Zoster

Pediatric Patients

• Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis)

• Chickenpox

Limitations of use

The efficacy and safety of valacyclovir have not been established in immunocompromised patients other than for the suppression of genital herpes in HIV-infected patients.