Valtrex Tablets 500 mg (Valaciclovir Hydrochloride)

Adult dose

Herpes zoster: Administer 1,000 mg per dose orally 3 times daily for 7 days as valacyclovir. Genital herpes infections: Administer 500 mg per dose twice daily as this drug. For recurrent infections, administer for 5 days; for initial infections, treatment may be continued for up to 10 days if symptoms are severe. Suppression of recurrent genital herpes infections (immunocompetent patients): The total daily dose is 500 mg of this drug, which may be administered as 250 mg twice daily. A dose of 500mg once daily is also effective, particularly in patients with fewer than 10 recurrences per year. Some patients who have 10 or more recurrences per year without treatment may obtain additional benefit from divided doses of 250 mg twice daily (total daily dose 500 mg). Treatment should be reassessed after 6 to 12 months of administration. Suppression of recurrent genital herpes infections (immunocompromised patients): Administer 500 mg per dose twice daily as this drug. Reduction of transmission of genital herpes: For immunocompetent heterosexual adults with 9 or fewer recurrences per year: The infected sexual partner should take 500 mg of this drug once daily to reduce transmission to a sexual partner who is negative for Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) antibodies. Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection: Take 2,000 mg per dose 4 times daily as this drug, starting within 72 hours after transplantation or as soon as oral administration is possible. The dose should be reduced according to creatinine clearance. The duration of treatment is usually 90 days, but may need to be extended in high-risk patients. Cold sores: The recommended dose of this drug for treatment of cold sores is 2,000 mg per dose twice daily, 12 hours apart, for 1 day. Treatment should be started as soon as the initial signs of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, burning) appear. Patients with renal impairment: Herpes zoster (creatinine clearance 50 or higher): 1,000 mg per dose 3 times daily Herpes zoster (creatinine clearance 30 or higher to less than 50): 1,000 mg per dose twice daily Herpes zoster (creatinine clearance 10 or higher to less than 30): 1,000 mg per dose once daily Herpes zoster (creatinine clearance less than 10): 500 mg per dose once daily Genital herpes (creatinine clearance 30 or higher): 500 mg per dose twice daily Genital herpes (creatinine clearance less than 30): 500 mg per dose once daily Genital herpes suppression—immunocompetent (creatinine clearance 30 or higher): 500 mg per dose once daily* Genital herpes suppression—immunocompetent (creatinine clearance less than 30): 250 mg per dose once dailyl Genital herpes suppression—immunocompromised (creatinine clearance 30 or higher): 500 mg per dose twice daily Genital herpes suppression—immunocompromised (creatinine clearance less than 30): 500 mg per dose once daily Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (creatinine clearance 75 or higher): 2,000 mg per dose 4 times daily Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (creatinine clearance 50 or higher to less than 75): 1,500 mg per dose 4 times daily Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (creatinine clearance 25 or higher to less than 50): 1,500 mg per dose 3 times daily Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (creatinine clearance 10 or higher to less than 25): 1,500 mg per dose twice daily Cytomegalovirus prophylaxis (creatinine clearance less than 10 or during dialysis): 1,500 mg per dose once daily Cold sores (creatinine clearance 50 or higher): 2,000 mg per dose twice daily Cold sores (creatinine clearance 30 or higher to 49 inclusive): 1,000 mg per dose twice daily Cold sores (creatinine clearance 10 or higher to less than 30): 500 mg per dose twice daily Cold sores (creatinine clearance less than 10): 500 mg per dose once daily *Some patients who have 10 or more recurrences per year without treatment may obtain additional benefit from divided doses of 250 mg twice daily (total daily dose 500 mg) of this drug. For patients on hemodialysis, administer after hemodialysis is completed. During periods of rapidly changing renal function (e.g., immediately after transplantation or kidney transplantation), creatinine clearance should be monitored frequently, and the dose of this drug should be adjusted appropriately according to creatinine clearance. Older adults: In patients with renal impairment or reduced renal function, and in older adults, adjust the dosing interval and dose of this drug, and administer cautiously while monitoring the patient's clinical condition. Dose adjustment is not necessary except in cases of significant renal impairment.

Child dose

Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection (12 years and older): Take 2,000 mg of this medicine per dose 4 times daily, starting within 72 hours after transplantation or as soon as oral administration is possible. The dose should be reduced according to creatinine clearance. The duration of treatment is usually 90 days, but may need to be extended in high-risk patients. Herpes labialis (12 years and older): The recommended dose for the treatment of herpes labialis is 2,000 mg of this medicine per dose, twice daily at 12-hour intervals for 1 day. Treatment should begin as soon as the initial signs of herpes labialis (e.g., tingling, itching, burning) appear. Chickenpox in children aged 2 years to under 18 years: Administer 20 mg of this medicine per kg of body weight per dose, 3 times daily for 5 days. The total dose should not exceed 1,000 mg per dose, 3 times daily.

This medication can cause serious blood disorders when administered in high doses to patients with progressive HIV or recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell and kidney transplants, and must be used very cautiously. It should not be used if there is an allergy to this medication, its active metabolite acyclovir, or any of its components. Patients who are dehydrated or especially elderly should take this medication cautiously while ensuring adequate fluid intake. Patients with reduced kidney function should have their dosage reduced and their conditions closely monitored, as this medication is mainly excreted through the kidneys. Caution is also necessary for patients with impaired liver function when high doses are being administered, and greater caution is needed for those with moderate or severe cirrhosis. While this medication aids in the prevention of genital herpes transmission in patients, it does not treat or completely eliminate the risk of infection, so safer sexual practices should be maintained. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, as well as nursing mothers, should consult a physician before taking this medication. Elderly patients are at increased risk of experiencing adverse reactions related to kidney and central nervous system function, requiring careful dosage adjustments and monitoring. During treatment with this medication, gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may occur, and rare allergic reactions such as thrombocytopenia, skin rashes, itching, and breathing difficulties may happen. Various neurological adverse reactions such as kidney impairment, acute renal failure, liver dysfunction, headaches, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures have also been reported, and patients should consult their healthcare provider immediately if such symptoms appear. This medication is most effective when started early in the course of symptoms, so it is important to begin taking it as soon as they appear. In case of overdose, serious side effects such as renal failure, confusion, hallucinations, and seizures may occur, and treatment such as hemodialysis may be required. Caution is necessary in children, especially those under 12 years old, as the safety and efficacy of this medication has not been fully established for them. This medication may affect driving or operating machinery, so patients should be cautious while taking it. Adequate hydration is necessary to avoid strain on the kidneys, and even when taking with other medications, it should be discussed with healthcare professionals as it may affect kidney function.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, rashes including photosensitive reactions, pruritus, urticaria, angioedema, dyspnea, anaphylaxis, renal impairment, acute renal failure, renal pain, reversible elevation of liver function tests, headache, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, decreased consciousness, tremors, ataxia, stuttering, seizures, encephalopathy, coma, facial edema, seizures, erythema multiforme, dysmenorrhea, depression, arthralgia, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infections, fever, dehydration, herpes simplex, runny nose, hypertension, tachycardia, aggressive behavior, anxiety, coma, mania, delusions, paralysis, decreased consciousness, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, seizures, psychosis, visual disturbances, hepatitis, jaundice, liver dysfunction, increased creatinine, interstitial nephritis, aplastic anemia, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, thrombocytopenic purpura, leukopenia, erythema multiforme, hair loss, toxic epidermal necrolysis, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, drug reaction (DRESS), interstitial pneumonia, acute pancreatitis, increased BUN, dyspepsia, hiccups, confusion, hallucinations, anxiety, decreased consciousness, coma, nausea, vomiting, headache, confusion, elevated plasma creatinine, renal failure, seizures

This medication should be stored in a tightly closed container to prevent air or moisture from entering, and it is safe to store it at room temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius. Storing it this way will help maintain its effectiveness over time.

Appearance

White, biconvex, rectangular film-coated tablet

Package unit

10 tablets/PTP, 42 tablets/box [6 tablets/PTP X 7], 42 tablets/box [14 tablets/PTP X 3]