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Clinical data | |
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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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Pharmacokinetic data | |
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 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Formula | C13H20N6O4 |
Molar mass | 324.341 g·mol−1 |
3D model (JSmol) | |
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Valaciclovir, also spelled valacyclovir, is an antiviral medication used to treat outbreaks of herpes simplex or herpes zoster (shingles).[2] It is also used to prevent cytomegalovirus following a kidney transplant in high risk cases.[2] It is taken by mouth.[2]
Common side effects include headache and vomiting.[2] Severe side effects may include kidney problems.[2] Use in pregnancy appears to be safe.[2] It is a prodrug, which works after being converted to aciclovir in a person's body.[2]
Valaciclovir was patented in 1987 and came into medical use in 1995.[3][4] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[5] It is available as a generic medication.[6] In 2021, it was the 114th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 5 million prescriptions.[7][8]