Tablets Valtrex

Valtrex belongs to a group of drugs that have a pronounced antiviral effect.

It is widely used for the treatment of skin diseases, provoked by the activity of the herpes virus, including Herpes genitalis, Herpes zoster and Herpes labialis.

On this page you will find all information about Valtrex: the full instructions for use for this medicine medium, average prices in pharmacies, complete and incomplete analogs of the drug, as well as reviews of people who have already applied Valtrex. Want to leave your opinion? Please write in the comments.

Clinical and pharmacological group

Antiviral drug.

Conditions of leave from pharmacies

It is released on prescription.

Price list

How much does Valtrex cost? The average price in pharmacies is at the level of1 200 rubles.

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Form of issue and composition

It is available only in tablets (1 tablet 500 mg Valaciclovir), 10 tablets in a blister (1 blister pack) or 6 tablets 7 blisters in a package.

Pharmacological effect

The drug is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and under the influence of liver enzymes is converted into acyclovir and valine. Then, acyclovir is embedded in the structure of the viral DNA, which disrupts the synthesis of DNA polymerase viruses and causes the microorganism to lose its ability to reproduce. If the saved human immunity is normal, the desired therapeutic result from drug treatment will be achieved with greater probability.

With compromised immunity, the sensitivity of the virus to the active substance is reduced. This is due to the ability of the virus to change the structure of DNA depending on the state of the human immune system. Excretion from the body occurs in the urine. The elimination half-life is 3 hours. If the patient suffers from kidney failure, the half-life period is extended to 14 hours. Taking Valtrex helps to cope with the pain syndrome, reducing the duration of pain and its acuity.

Indications for use

In accordance with the instruction, Valtrex is appointed in the following cases:

1. For the treatment of diseases affecting the skin and mucous membranes and caused by the activity of herpes simplex viruses of the first and second types (Herpes simplex virus 1 and Herpes simplex virus 2);
2. For the treatment of diseases caused by the virus Varicella-Zoster (Human herpesvirus 3 or Varicella-zoster);
3. To prevent the development of diseases caused by the activity of cytomegalovirus;
4. To reduce the risk of contracting the genital herpes virus in contact with its carrier (in conjunction with safe sex);
5. For preventive purposes, to prevent the development of diseases that develop after organ transplantation (the use of Valtrex allows, to a large extent reduce the risk of rejection and death of the transplant organ, and also prevents the development of infections that are provoked by opportunistic microflora organism);
6. For preventive purposes, to prevent the development of relapses of diseases affecting the skin, mucous membranes and activity caused by herpes simplex virus types I and II;
7. For the prevention of other viral infections.

Contraindications

Contraindications for Valtrex use are the following conditions:

1. Acute renal failure, pyelonephritis;
2. Immunodeficiency conditions (AIDS, HIV);
3. Hypersensitivity to the active substance of the drug (valaciclovir, acyclovir);
4. Severe liver disease (hepatitis, liver failure, cirrhosis);
5. Children's age (up to 12 years).

To the list of relative contraindications is the propensity to allergic reactions, bronchial asthma, the period of pregnancy and lactation. In these cases, the question of the use of the drug should be decided by the attending physician.

Application in pregnancy and lactation

The use of Valtrex by women during pregnancy and lactation is justified only if the potential benefit of using the drug for the mother is higher than the possible risk to the child.

Instructions for use

The instructions for use indicate that the drug Valtrex is not dependent on food intake, wash down the tablets with water.

The recommended dosage regimen depends on the disease:

1. Treatment of shingles for adult patients - 3 times a day for 1 g for 7 days;
2. Treatment of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) as an adult therapy - 2 times a day for 500 mg for 5 days. If the onset of the disease has a more severe form, it is recommended to begin therapy as early as possible, it is also possible to increase the duration of therapy to 10 days. When relapses occur, the duration of treatment can be up to 3-5 days. The optimal option for recurrences of HSV is the appointment of Valtrex in the prodromal period or immediately after the manifestation of the first signs of the disease;
3. Alternative therapy for labial herpes adults - 2 g 2 times a day. The second dose is recommended after approximately 12 hours (but not earlier than 6 hours) after the first dose. In this case, the duration of therapy is 1 day. It is recommended to start using the drug in case of the earliest symptoms of the disease (itching, tingling, burning);
4. Suppression of recurrence of infections caused by HSV in adults with preserved immunity - 500 mg once a day, for patients with immunodeficiency - 500 mg 2 times a day;
5. Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection after transplantation to adults and adolescents over 12 years is 2 g 4 times a day, with therapy to begin immediately after transplantation. The dose is reduced based on the creatinine clearance. The duration of therapy is 90 days, but an increase in the duration of treatment for patients at high risk is permitted.
6. Prevention of transmission to a healthy sexual partner of genital herpes. Infected immunocompetent patients with relapses not more than 9 times a year - 500 mg once a day every day, the duration of therapy - 1 year or more;

Patients with hepatic dysfunction are not required to adjust the dose, but the clinical experience with severe violations of liver function, violation of the synthetic function of the liver and the presence of port-caval anastomoses is limited.

Side effects

The use of Valtrex can cause the following side effects:

1. Respiratory system: shortness of breath;
2. The immune system: anaphylaxis;
3. Digestive system: nausea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea;
4. Biliary tract and liver: reversible violations of liver tests;
5. Skin and subcutaneous fatty tissue: photosensitization, rashes on the skin, itching, urticaria, angioedema;
6. Blood system and hematopoiesis: thrombocytopenia (leukopenia, most common in patients with immunodeficiency);
7. Nervous system: headache, dizziness, hallucinations, confusion, tremor, agitation, convulsions, dysarthria, oppression of consciousness, coma;
8. urinary system: renal dysfunction, renal colic, acute renal failure.

Overdose

In case of Valtrex overdose, the following symptoms occur: acute renal failure and neurologic disorders, including confusion, hallucinations, agitation, oppression of consciousness and to whom, as well as nausea and vomiting.

When an overdose is prescribed, hemodialysis and symptomatic therapy.

special instructions

During Valtrex treatment, especially elderly patients, care must be taken to ensure that the fluid in the body is filled in time.

Assigning this drug, it is necessary to find out the presence of renal function disorders in patients and its degree. This will prevent the development of neurological complications, subject to careful monitoring of the patient's well-being.

Drug Interactions

With the simultaneous use of Valtrex with antiviral agents or immunomodulators, the therapeutic effect of the drug is enhanced.

One should be cautious with the simultaneous administration of this medication with other drugs that are excreted by the kidneys, since an increased burden on the urinary organs can lead to the development of serious complications in particular kidney failure.

Reviews

We picked up some feedback from people about Valtrex:

1. Alina. A very high-quality tool, both for treatment and for the prevention of herpes. He helped me a lot, earlier relapses of infection showed up almost every month, but after a course of treatment for a year now, as there are no characteristic rashes on the lips. Of course, the drug is expensive, but it's worth it. Before that I tried to be treated cheaply, but the effect was short-lived. So I do not advise you to save on your health.
2. Ksenia. My son found shingles, doctors said that they need systemic therapy, otherwise there will be complications. They wanted to write out Waltrex, but I read negative comments on him. I had to persuade the doctors to write a safe analog of Valtrex. Let the treatment last longer, but I do not want my son to "plant" the liver with a dangerous medicine.
3. Gulnara. I was assigned to him before childbirth. Before that, I was treated for genital herpes and several times a year there were exacerbations. The drug is a saw with the purpose of prevention, so that the child after childbirth had no problems, and he was not affected by the herpes virus. As a result, everything went well, the child was healthy and had no evidence of infection in him. Now he is no longer breastfeeding and now I can take Valtrex for preventive purposes, so that there will be no relapse of the disease.
4. Julia. I have been fighting herpes for a very long time. The rash appeared more than five times a year. At first I used only ointment, eventually started to try more and pills. They, of course, help better, because to treat the virus from the inside is much more effective. The doctor recommended me Valtrex. Such an expensive tool did not want to buy, but I was assured that it would definitely help. And really helped, the herpes did not bother me for about a year. It was the best drug I've ever tried. Although in truth, for this money, I wanted more effect. I would like to find a cheaper analog. "Valtrex" is an excellent remedy for herpes, its only negative is the price.
5. Masha. Ehh, good tablets, the last 5 years, only they escaped with exacerbations (with herpes hand in hand with the diaper), a little felt itching on the lips - immediately started taking, if you have time to take it in the first hours, then the drug hammered the activity of the virus on the root, nothing at all poured out. If a little stretch (half day-a day), the rashes still appeared, but much less and passed all much faster than without treatment at all. By the way, usual Acyclovir in tablets did not take me at all, i.e. literally zero effect, about the various masqas generally keep quiet - this is clearly not for those who have everything seriously). But recently I notice that Valtrex is no longer so. Tolerance that developed to him in me or the quality of the drug itself worsened (remissions are no longer once or twice a year, but can come only after a couple of weeks after you have drunk a course, i.e. as if she did not accept anything (Sorry, very sorry. We will have to look for something even stronger (and, apparently, even more expensive).

Analogues

Valcicon, Valogard, Wirdel, Valaciclovir, Valavir, Famvir have a similar action. At the same time, the price of Valtrex analogues varies between 70-3500 rubles.

Before using analogues, consult your doctor.

Storage conditions and shelf life

The drug should be stored in a dark cool place, not accessible to children. Shelf life of the drug is 3 years from the date of manufacture, at the end of this period the drug should not be taken orally.

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