Valtrex (valacyclovir HCl)
The following drug information is obtained from various newswires, published
medical journal articles, and medical conference presentations.
General Information
Valtrex has been approved as a treatment for recurrent genital
herpes (herpes simplex) in otherwise healthy (immunocompetent)
adults. The efficacy of Valtrex has not been established in
immunocompromised subjects.
Clinical Results
In clinical trials, Valtrex shortened the healing time of
genital herpes sores by 33% on average compared to placebo. The
duration of pain associated with genital herpes was reduced by 25%
in subjects who received Valtrex as opposed to placebo. Valtrex
also stopped viral shedding 50% faster on average than placebo.
Viral shedding is the process in which virus is released from the
skin during an outbreak of genital herpes.
Valtrex has been shown to be effective when administered within
24 hours of the first sign or symptom of a recurrent genital herpes
outbreak.
Side Effects
Valtex was generally well tolerated, with the most common
adverse events consisting of headache, nausea, diarrhea, and
dizziness.
Mechanism of Action
Valtrex is rapidly and extensively converted to acyclovir after
oral administration. The drug delivers three to five times higher
blood levels of acyclovir than oral Zovirax.
Additional Information
As many as 31 million Americans are infected with the virus that
causes genital herpes and up to 500,000 new cases occur each
year.
Genital herpes is a recurrent, infectious disease caused by the
herpes simplex virus. A sexually transmitted disease, genital
herpes is spread through direct body contact when sores are
present. However, research shows that the virus can also be
transmitted in the absence of symptoms through asymptomatic viral
shedding. Once infected, the virus remains in the body for the
person's lifetime.
Genital herpes is characterized by blister-like sores on the
genitals or buttocks that reactivate periodically. The frequency of
recurrent outbreaks varies from person to person. Generally they
occur an average of four to six times each year, but can recur as
often as once a month. If recurrent outbreaks are left untreated,
sores usually last from seven to ten days. If medical management of
a genital herpes recurrence is indicated, subjects should be
advised to initiate therapy at the first sign or symptom of an
episode. Recurrent outbreaks may become less frequent and less
severe over time.