Valaciclovir
Valaciclovir, also spelled valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication used to treat outbreaks of herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles). It is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus following a kidney transplant in high risk cases. It is taken by mouth.
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Trade names | Valtrex, Zelitrex, others |
Other names | valacyclovir, valacyclovir hydrochloride (USAN US) |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a695010 |
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Routes of administration | By mouth |
Drug class | Antiviral |
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Bioavailability | 55% |
Protein binding | 13–18% |
Metabolism | Liver (to aciclovir) |
Elimination half-life | <30 minutes (valaciclovir); 2.5–3.6 hours (aciclovir) |
Excretion | Kidney 40–50% (aciclovir), faecal 47% (aciclovir) |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.114.479 |
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Formula | C13H20N6O4 |
Molar mass | 324.341 g·mol−1 |
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Common side effects include headache and vomiting. Severe side effects may include kidney problems. Use in pregnancy appears to be safe. It is a prodrug, which works after being converted to aciclovir in a person's body.
Valaciclovir was patented in 1987 and came into medical use in 1995. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. It is available as a generic medication. In 2021, it was the 114th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5 million prescriptions.