| Drug Name |
Valaciclovir |
| Drug ID |
BADD_D02424 |
| Description |
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 [FDA label] and marketed by GlaxoSmithKline [L5671]. Valacyclovir is the L-valine ester of aciclovir. It is a member of the purine (guanine) nucleoside analog drug class [F3949]. This class of drugs forms an important part of hepatitis, HIV, and cytomegalovirus drug regimens [A175900].
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 [A175903]. |
| Indications and Usage |
Valacyclovir is a nucleoside analog DNA polymerase inhibitor indicated for [FDA label]:
**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** [FDA label]
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.
|
| Marketing Status |
Not Available |
| ATC Code |
J05AB11 |
| DrugBank ID |
DB00577
|
| KEGG ID |
D08664
|
| MeSH ID |
D000077483
|
| PubChem ID |
135398742
|
| TTD Drug ID |
D04QJD
|
| NDC Product Code |
Not Available |
| Synonyms |
Valacyclovir | Valaciclovir | BW256U87 | Valacyclovir, X-Hydrochloride, (DL)-isomer | Valacyclovir Hydrochloride, (DL)-isomer | Valacyclovir, (D)-isomer | Valacyclovir, D- | D- Valacyclovir | Valacyclovir, (L)-isomer | L-Valylacyclovir | L Valylacyclovir | Acyclovir, L-valyl Ester | Acyclovir, L valyl Ester | L-valyl Ester Acyclovir | 2-((2-Amino-1,6-dihydro-6-oxo-9H-purin-9-yl)methoxy)ethyl L-valinate | Valacyclovir, X-Hydrochloride, (D)-isomer | Valtrex | Valacyclovir Hydrochloride | 256U87 | Valacyclovir, (DL)-isomer |
