- Generic Name: valacyclovir
- Dosage Forms: n.a.
- Other Brand Names: Valtrex
What is Valacyclovir Hydrochloride?
Treatment of initial episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent or HIV-infected adults and adolescents.
Episodic treatment of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent or HIV-infected adults and adolescents.
Chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent or HIV-infected adults and adolescents. When used for suppressive therapy in immunocompetent individuals, the risk of heterosexual transmission of genital herpes to susceptible partners is reduced; efficacy for reducing transmission not established in those with multiple partners or in non-heterosexual couples.
CDC and others recommend oral acyclovir, oral famciclovir, or oral valacyclovir as drug of choice for treatment of initial episodes of genital herpes and for episodic treatment or chronic suppressive therapy of recurrent genital herpes.
Herpes Labialis
Treatment of herpes labialis (perioral herpes, cold sores, fever blisters) in adults and adolescents.
Safety and efficacy not established in immunocompromised patients.
Mucocutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infections
Treatment of recurrent mucocutaneous HSV infections in HIV-infected adults.
Chronic suppressive or maintenance therapy (secondary prophylaxis) against recurrence of HSV infections in HIV-infected individuals who have frequent or severe recurrences.
Herpes Zoster
Treatment of acute, localized herpes zoster (shingles, zoster) in adults and adolescents.
Treatment of localized dermatomal herpes zoster in HIV-infected adults or adolescents. If cutaneous lesions are extensive or there is clinical evidence of visceral involvement, IV acyclovir should be used for initial treatment.
Safety and efficacy not established in immunocompromised patients.
Safety and efficacy not established for treatment of disseminated herpes zoster.
Prevention of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Disease in Transplant Recipients
Prevention of CMV disease in kidney transplant recipients at high risk (CMV-seropositive donor).
Not recommended for prevention of CMV disease in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients because the drug is presumed to be less effective than ganciclovir.
Not recommended for primary prevention of CMV disease in HIV-infected individuals because of an unexplained trend toward increased mortality in clinical studies.