Valex Tablets 500 mg (Valaciclovir Hydrochloride)

Adult dose

1. Adults 1) Herpes zoster: Administer 1,000 mg of valacyclovir orally per dose 3 times daily for 7 days. 2) Genital herpes infection: Administer 500 mg of this medicine per dose twice daily. For recurrent infection, administer for 5 days; for an initial episode, treatment may be given for up to 10 days if symptoms are severe. Treatment should be started as soon as possible. For recurrent herpes simplex, administration is most effective when started as soon as prodromal symptoms or the first symptoms/signs appear. If this medicine is administered at the first appearance of symptoms/signs of recurrent genital herpes, it may prevent progression of the lesions. 3) Suppression of recurrent genital herpes infection (1) Immunocompetent patients: The total daily dose is 500 mg of this medicine, 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 with 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). Reassess treatment after 6 to 12 months of administration. (2) Immunocompromised patients: Administer 500 mg of this medicine per dose twice daily. 4) 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 medicine once daily to reduce transmission to a sexual partner who is negative for Herpes Simplex Virus-2 (HSV-2) antibodies. 5) Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection: 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. Treatment usually lasts 90 days, but may need to be extended in high-risk patients. 6) Cold sores: Administer 2,000 mg of this medicine per dose twice daily, 12 hours apart, for 1 day. Start treatment as soon as the initial signs of cold sores appear (e.g., tingling, itching, burning). 4. Patients with renal impairment Herpes zoster: Creatinine clearance 50 or greater, 1,000 mg per dose 3 times daily; 30 or greater ～ less than 50, 1,000 mg per dose twice daily; 10 or greater ～ less than 30, 1,000 mg per dose once daily; less than 10, 500 mg per dose once daily Genital herpes: Creatinine clearance 30 or greater, 500 mg per dose twice daily; less than 30, 500 mg per dose once daily Genital herpes suppression—immunocompetent: Creatinine clearance 30 or greater, 500 mg per dose once daily*; less than 30, 250 mg per dose once daily Genital herpes suppression—immunocompromised: Creatinine clearance 30 or greater, 500 mg per dose twice daily; less than 30, 500 mg per dose once daily Cytomegalovirus prevention: Creatinine clearance 75 or greater, 2,000 mg per dose 4 times daily; 50 or greater and less than 75, 1,500 mg per dose 4 times daily; 25 or greater and less than 50, 1,500 mg per dose 3 times daily; 10 or greater and less than 25, 1,500 mg per dose twice daily; less than 10 or during dialysis, 1,500 mg per dose once daily Cold sores: Creatinine clearance 50 or greater, 2,000 mg per dose twice daily; 30 or greater and 49 or less, 1,000 mg per dose twice daily; 10 or greater and less than 30, 500 mg per dose twice daily; less than 10, 500 mg per dose once daily *Some patients with 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).

Child dose

Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in patients 12 years of age and older: Take 2,000 mg of this drug per dose 4 times daily, and start treatment within 72 hours after transplantation or as soon as oral administration is possible. The dose should be reduced according to creatinine clearance. The treatment duration is usually 90 days, but may need to be extended in high-risk patients. Cold sores in patients 12 years of age and older: Administer 2,000 mg of this drug per dose twice daily, 12 hours apart, for 1 day. Treatment should begin as soon as the initial signs of a cold sore (e.g., tingling, itching, burning) appear. Chickenpox in children 2 years of age and older but younger than 18 years: Administer 20 mg of this drug per kg of body weight per dose 3 times daily for 5 days. The total dose must not exceed 1,000 mg per dose, 3 times daily.

This medication can cause severe blood disorders when given in high doses to patients with progressive HIV or those who have undergone allogeneic bone marrow or kidney transplants. Patients with allergies to this medication or its ingredients should not take it. Patients at risk of dehydration, those with reduced kidney function, liver dysfunction, the elderly, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should use this medication with caution. Patients with reduced kidney function should adjust the dosage of this medication and closely monitor for symptoms of neurological disorders. While this medication can help prevent genital herpes, it does not ensure complete treatment or elimination of the risk of transmission, thus safe sexual practices are necessary. Gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or neurological reactions such as headaches, dizziness, confusion may occur; any unusual symptoms should be reported to healthcare professionals immediately. Since this medication is excreted through the kidneys, adequate hydration is important, especially in those with impaired renal function who are at risk for acute kidney failure. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should carefully consider the benefits and risks before taking this medication. Elderly patients may have an increased risk of side effects due to reduced kidney function, requiring dosage adjustments and monitoring. In cases of overdose, neurological symptoms and kidney failure may occur, so strict adherence to the dosage is essential, and if overdose is suspected, immediate medical attention should be sought. This medication should be stored out of the reach of children, and transferring it to another container may lead to reduced quality or increased risk of accidents. Care should be taken when driving or operating machinery considering the potential neurological side effects of this medication.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, thrombocytopenia, rash including phototoxic reactions, itching, urticaria, angioedema, dyspnea, anaphylaxis, renal impairment, acute renal failure, renal colic, reversible increase in liver function tests, headache, dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, decreased consciousness, tremors, ataxia, stuttering, seizures, encephalopathy, coma, facial swelling, convulsions, erythema multiforme, dysmenorrhea, depression, arthralgia, rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, fever, dehydration, herpes simplex, rhinorrhea, hypertension, tachycardia, aggressive behavior, agitation, coma, mania, delusions, paralysis, reduced consciousness, auditory hallucinations, visual hallucinations, seizures, visual disturbances, hepatitis, jaundice, liver dysfunction, elevated creatinine, interstitial nephritis, aplastic anemia, leukocytoclastic vasculitis, pancytopenia, agranulocytosis, disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, thrombocytopenic purpura, leukopenia, erythema multiforme, alopecia, toxic epidermal necrolysis, mucocutaneous syndrome, drug reactions, interstitial pneumonia, acute pancreatitis, dyspepsia, hiccups, confusion, nonsense speech, seizures

This medication should be stored in a tightly sealed container to prevent exposure to air and moisture, and it is crucial to maintain a storage temperature between 1 to 30 degrees Celsius. By storing it this way, the medication's effectiveness can be well preserved.

Appearance

Biconvex, slender, long, white, film-coated tablet

Package unit

30 tablets/bottle