"Valacyclovir Canon" is one of the best developments in the modern pharmaceutical industry. Experienced virologists have tried to take into account absolutely all the aspects that are necessary to effectively combat various infections caused by viruses. This medication is an effective replacement for the popular drug Acyclovir.
Composition of the drug
"Valacyclovir Canon" is sold in the form of film-coated tablets. The main active ingredient is valaciclovir hydrochloride. Auxiliary components are also used:
- Povidone K90.
- Polysorb.
- Crospovidonum.
- Magnesium s alt of stearic acid.
- MCC.
The used film shell contains titanium dioxide, polysorbate, macrogol. Tablets are sold in packs of 6 and 10.
Operation principle
Medication "Valacyclovir Canon"belongs to the category of antivirals. Already after the first oral administration, the main component is transformed into the active metabolite acyclovir. This substance has powerful inhibitory properties against cytomegalovirus, herpes, varicella-zoster, chicken pox. The drug completely inhibits the production of the DNA of the virus, due to which its structure is gradually destroyed and it ceases to multiply. In such a situation, the death of the pathogen is inevitable.
When administered orally, "Valacyclovir Canon" is perfectly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract. A specific liver enzyme converts it into two substances - valine and acyclovir. In he althy people, the peak concentration of the drug in blood plasma is observed 2 hours after ingestion of 500 mg. The diagnosable indicator is in the range from 10 to 36 µmol / ml. If you use 1 g of the drug once, then its final bioavailability will be equal to 50%, regardless of food intake. The maximum content of the drug in the blood plasma is fixed for three hours, after which it gradually decreases.
In patients with normal renal function, the half-life is no more than three hours. More than 85% of the drug is excreted in the urine as acyclovir. If the patient has previously been diagnosed with severe kidney damage, the resulting half-life may be 15 hours or more.
To significantly increase the bioavailability of the drug, creams and ointments with acyclovir are actively used. In such a situation, the amount of the main substance can reach60% marks, but only at the site of application of the product. The medication is intended for the treatment of genital, oral, and herpes zoster. The drug prevents possible relapses, complications, and also helps to quickly eliminate the blistering rash that has appeared.
It is worth noting that viruses do not have their own cells, which is why they gradually integrate into human DNA and use biological material for their own reproduction. After that, the infected cell of the patient's body ceases to perform its main functions. That is why herpes is called an intracellular parasite. To reproduce, this virus needs a "host" to be able to develop uncontrollably and infect new sites.
Indications
In the instructions for "Valacyclovir Canon", manufacturers indicated that the drug is intended for the treatment and prevention of the following diseases:
- Herpes zoster.
- Significantly reduces the risk of transmitting a dangerous virus to a sexual partner.
- Herpes of the lips (the so-called "cold" on the lips and in the periodontal zone).
- Effective prevention of cytomegalovirus infection during intracavitary operations (this also applies to transplantation).
- Primary stage and recurrences of genital herpes.
- Prevention of genital infection.
Contraindications
The drug "Valacyclovir Canon" is prohibited for those patients who have hadthe following diseases have been diagnosed:
- HIV infection. The drug negatively affects the patient's body if the content of CD4-lymphocytes is less than 100/µl.
- Hypersensitivity of the body to the components of the drug.
The medicine is not prescribed for children under 12 years of age with cytomegalovirus infection. Since experts have not conducted studies on the effect of the drug on the body of pregnant women, only doctors can prescribe the drug.
Instructions for use
"Valacyclovir Canon" in tablets is taken orally, before or after meals. The optimal dosage is selected by specialists on an individual basis, since it all depends on the clinical picture. Therapy should be started within two days of the first signs of infection (pain, burning, itching, rash).
The treatment regimen depends on the diagnosed disease:
- Primary genital herpes. Take 1 g 2 times a day. Therapy lasts 10 days.
- Labial herpes. In the morning and in the evening, take 2 g of the drug. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
- Recurrent genital herpes in HIV infection. To minimize the risk of transmission of pathology to a sexual partner, it is recommended to consume 0.5 g 1 time per day.
- Classic herpes. In the morning and evening, take 0.5 g of the drug. Treatment lasts 2 weeks.
- Recurrent genital herpes. For three days, take 0.5 g of "Valacyclovir Canon" 2 times a day.
- Shingles. For maximum therapeutic effectit is necessary to take every 8 hours, 1 g of the drug. Therapy is designed for 1 week.
- If the patient is on hemodialysis, then you can take the medicine only after the procedure.
- Qualitative prevention of cytomegalovirus infection after successful organ transplantation involves the use of 2 g of the drug 4 times a day. Treatment should last at least 3 months.
In case of renal insufficiency, the optimal dosage is set in accordance with the indicators of creatinine clearance. Numerous reviews of "Valacyclovir Canon" indicate that it is better not to self-medicate, as this is fraught with a deterioration in well-being. To avoid negative manifestations, the patient must definitely consult with his doctor.
Adverse reactions
Numerous reviews of "Valacyclovir Canon" indicate that deterioration in well-being is extremely rare. Only if the patient exceeds the permissible dosage or does not study all contraindications, then this is fraught with the following negative manifestations:
- Development of acute renal failure. The patient may experience an increased reaction to sunlight, shortness of breath. Thrombocytopenia not ruled out.
- Gastrointestinal tract: vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, hepatitis, increased liver enzyme levels, and pain in the stomach, which can radiate to the back.
- Allergic manifestations: itching, rash, urticaria, anaphylacticshock, angioedema, aplastic anemia, vasculitis, abnormal heart rhythm, fever, dehydration, high blood pressure, severe fatigue.
- Central nervous system: dizziness, constant nervous tension, impaired coordination, coma, hallucinations, depression.
Available analogues
"Valacyclovir Canon" is highly effective, but in some cases, patients need to replace this medication. The most popular analogues include:
- V altrex.
- Valmik.
- Vatsireks. The drug quickly acts on viral cells and eliminates pain.
Experts note that "Valacyclovir Canon" has at least two drugs with a similar principle of action - these are "V altrex" and "Acyclovir". The main difference between these drugs is as follows:
- "V altrex" has a rather complex formula, due to which it can be in the patient's body for a longer time, significantly reducing the number of doses. Many patients choose this medication because of the wide variety of pharmaceutical forms: ampoules, creams, tablets.
- "Acyclovir" after entering the body prevents the transmission of the viral component to a he althy cell. At the final stage, in the form of decay products, it is excreted through the kidneys with urine.
If the patient decided to figure out how "Valacyclovir" differs from "Valacyclovir Canon", then you need to consider that the first medicationdirectly affects the herpes virus, gradually destroys it and prevents the dangerous infection from growing further. Thanks to this, the patient can quickly cope with the pathology. Experts have proven that there is no significant difference between "Valacyclovir Canon" and "Valacyclovir". Both medicines are used both for the complex fight against herpes and for the prevention of viral diseases.
Precautions
Doctors prescribe the drug with caution in the following cases:
- Critical dehydration.
- Presence of acute liver or kidney failure.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Patients over 60.
- Treatment with nephrotoxic drugs.
It is imperative to take into account the clinical condition of the patient and the specificity of the side effects of "Valacyclovir Canon" when assessing the patient's ability to drive a vehicle. The drug can affect mental activity, which is very important when working with mechanisms that require a quick psychomotor reaction.
Interaction with other medicines
Since "Valacyclovir Canon" is processed by the kidneys by channel secretion, other drugs will prevent its stable excretion from the body. "Mycophenolate" increases the concentration of the drug in the patient's blood plasma. Tacrolimus and Cyclosporine increase the load on the kidneys several times.
Special Instructions
People with dehydration and elderly patients during the treatment period should increase the amount of fluid consumed, as there is a risk of developing acute renal failure. For a more effective fight against genital herpes, it is necessary to avoid sexual contact, since the medication cannot be used as a means to eliminate the fact of the transmission of a dangerous infection.
Long-term use of the drug in high doses in conditions that are accompanied by immunodeficiency (clinically expressed form of HIV infection, bone marrow or kidney transplantation) is fraught with the development of dangerous thrombocytopenic purpura and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Lethal outcome is not excluded. If adverse reactions occur from the central nervous system, the drug must be canceled.
Use during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Valacyclovir Canon is prescribed with caution to this category of patients. Indications for use are taken into account only if the expected therapeutic effect outweighs the potential risk to the developing fetus. The data recorded by gynecologists did not show an increase in the number of birth defects.
The component acyclovir is the main metabolite of the drug, which is freely excreted in breast milk. That is why the period of treatment of the child must be transferred to artificial mixtures.
