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].
Synonyms
Valaciclovir hydrochloride
Valaciclovirum
L-Valine ester with 9-((2-hydroxyethoxy)methyl)guanine
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.
Categories
Acyclovir and prodrug
Amino Acids
Amino Acids, Branched-Chain
Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins
Anti-Infective Agents
Antiinfectives for Systemic Use
Antiviral Agents
Antivirals for Systemic Use
Direct Acting Antivirals
Drugs that are Mainly Renally Excreted
Herpes Simplex Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Herpes Zoster Virus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Herpesvirus Nucleoside Analog DNA Polymerase Inhibitor
Heterocyclic Compounds, Fused-Ring
Nephrotoxic agents
Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors
Nucleosides and Nucleotides
Nucleosides and Nucleotides Excl. Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors
Drug Info/Drug Targets: DrugBank 3.0: a comprehensive resource for 'omics' research on drugs. Knox C, Law V, Jewison
T, Liu P, Ly S, Frolkis A, Pon A, Banco K, Mak C, Neveu V, Djoumbou Y, Eisner R, Guo AC, Wishart DS.
Nucleic Acids Res. 2011 Jan; 39 (Database issue):D1035-41. | PMID:21059682
