How does the drug "Valvir"? You can find reviews about this medication in the materials of the article. Also, it indicates indications for the use of this medication, its side effects, contraindications and more.
Composition, packaging of the medicine and its form
In what form is Valvir produced? Reviews say that this medication can be purchased in the form of white oval biconvex tablets, film-coated. The active substance of this tool is valaciclovir hydrochloride hydrate. As additional components of the drug in question, microcrystalline cellulose and povidone are used.
As for the film membrane, it includes hyprolose, white opadra, titanium dioxide, hypromellose and macrogol.
The medicine “Valvir”, the reviews of which are listed below, goes on sale in blisters made of aluminum foil and PVC, which are placed in cardboard boxes.
Pharmacological features
What are the properties of the drug "Valvir"? Reviews of doctors say that it is an antiviral agent. Once in the human body, valaciclovir is immediately converted to L-valine and acyclovir. This happens under the influence of valaciclovir hydrolase.
The medication in question exhibits specific inhibitory activity against herpes simplex viruses, chickenpox, cytomegalovirus, etc.
Acyclovir is able to slow down the synthesis of viral DNA, as well as convert acyclovir triphosphate into an active form. This substance is embedded in viral DNA, which subsequently leads to a complete break in its chain and blocking the replication of the virus.
Pharmacokinetics
After taking the drug, valaciclovir is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract. A single dose of tablets (0.25-2 g) reaches a maximum concentration in the blood after 1-2 hours. At the same time, the bioavailability of the drug substance is 54%, regardless of food intake.
The connection of acyclovir with plasma is low and is approximately 15%. This substance is very quickly distributed across all tissues. It can be found in the liver, kidneys, muscles and lungs. Acyclovir also penetrates into the cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal secretions and herpetic vesicles.
In people with normal kidney function, the half-life of this drug is 3 hours. Excretion of valaciclovir occurs with urine.
Indications for use
Do you know about the purpose of prescribing the drug "Valvir" (tablets)? Reviews of experienced professionals inform about the following indications:
- herpes zoster;
- labial herpes ;
- relapses of infections of the mucous membranes and skin (prevention and treatment) that were caused by the herpes simplex virus (including recurrent and first detected genital herpes);
- cytomegalovirus infection (prophylaxis) that arose during organ transplantation.
Also, the medication in question is prescribed in order to reduce the infection of a healthy partner with genital herpes during intercourse. However, it should be taken as a suppressive treatment in combination with other protective equipment (condoms, etc.).
Contraindications
In what cases are patients not prescribed medication "Valvir"? Instructions, reviews of doctors indicate the following contraindications:
- bone marrow transplantation;
- clinically expressed form of HIV infection;
- childhood;
- kidney transplantation;
- hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valaciclovir and other substances of the drug.
With extreme caution, the medication is prescribed to people with hepatic (especially in high dosages), renal failure, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
The drug "Valvir": instructions for use
Reviews about this medication we will consider below.
How should i take antiviral pills? The medication is prescribed to adults inside. Its dosage depends on the type and severity of the disease.
- Herpes zoster - 1000 mg three times a day for a week.
- Herpes simplex - 500 mg twice daily. With relapses, the course can last 3-5 days, and with the first episode, up to 10 days.
- Labial herpes - 2 g 2 times a day. The second dosage must be taken after 12 hours.
- Prevention of recurrence of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus in people with normal immunity is 500 mg once a day, with frequent relapses 250 mg twice a day, in adults with immunodeficiency 500 mg twice a day. The duration of therapy is 5-12 months.
- Prevention of cytomegalovirus infection in adolescents over twelve years of age and adults - two grams four times a day. The duration of therapy is three months.
How to take Valvir (1500) for cold sores to prevent infection with a healthy partner? Reviews of experts say that people with preserved immunity, as well as with frequent relapses, are prescribed medication in the amount of 500 mg once a day for a year. With irregular sexual acts, medication should be started in three days.
The dose should be reduced in patients with impaired renal function.
Cases of overdose
What are the symptoms of misuse of Valvir? Doctors' reviews indicate the following signs of an overdose: nausea, confusion, vomiting, development of renal failure, headache, increased concentration of serum creatinine, hallucinations, convulsions, agitation, coma.
Victims should be under constant medical supervision to identify symptoms of toxic effects.
Hemodialysis allows you to completely remove acyclovir from the blood.
Side effects
What adverse reactions may occur while taking Valvir (500 mg). Patient reviews especially often talk about undesirable effects such as nausea and headache. Also, the drug in question can cause quite serious adverse reactions in the form of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, acute renal failure, hemolytic-uremic syndrome and neurological disorders.
In addition to the above, experts talk about the following undesirable effects:
- discomfort in the abdomen;
- leukopenia, thrombocytopenia;
- anaphylaxis;
- agitation, dizziness, agitation, depression, confusion, psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, encephalopathy, mental decline, dysarthria;
- dyspnea;
- rashes, photosensitivity, itching;
- angioedema, urticaria;
- impaired kidney function;
- visual impairment;
- neutropenia, leukoplastic vasculitis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura;
- erythema multiforme;
- hypercreatininemia, a decrease in hemoglobin;
- respiratory tract infections, dysmenorrhea, tachycardia, arthralgia, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, dehydration, facial edema, fever, increased blood pressure, rhinorrhea.
Special recommendations for taking the drug "Valvir" (how to take: before meals or after meals)?
Reviews of doctors say that the bioavailability of this medicine does not depend on food intake. Therefore, you can take it both with food and after. The main thing is to observe an equal interval between daily dosages.
It should also be noted that elderly people do not need dose adjustment, except in cases where there are significant impairments in the functioning of the kidneys.
There is no experience with the clinical use of the drug in young children. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to prescribe such a drug to children under the age of 12-14 years.
Drug Reviews
Herpes is a virus that worries many people around the world. Therefore, the drug "Valvir" is in great demand in the pharmaceutical market. According to patients' reviews, this medicine contributes to the rapid elimination of herpetic eruptions, as well as improving the patient's well-being.
Valvir is used not only to treat the aforementioned virus, but also for prophylactic purposes. Many people note that when taking this medicine, the incidence of herpes is significantly reduced.
It can not be said that, subject to all the rules for taking the medicine, it almost never causes side effects. However, it should be noted that along with positive reviews, this drug also has negative ones. Most of them are associated with the high cost of the drug. Currently, ten tablets (500 mg) of Valvira can be purchased for 600-680 rubles.