How does Valvir drug work? You can find reviews about this medication in the materials of the article. It also contains indications for the use of this medication, its side effects, contraindications, and more.
Composition, drug packaging and form
In what form is the drug "Valvir" produced? The reviews say that this medication can be purchased in the form of white oval biconvex film-coated tablets. The active substance of this drug is valaciclovir hydrochloride hydrate. Microcrystalline cellulose and povidone are used as additional components of the drug in question.
As for the film shell, it contains hyprolose, opadra white, titanium dioxide, hypromellose and macrogol.
Valvir medication, reviews of which are listed below, goes on sale in aluminum foil and PVC blisters, which are placed in cardboard packs.
Pharmacological features
What properties does Valvir have? Reviews of doctors say that this is an antiviral agent. Entering the human bodyvalacyclovir is immediately converted to L-valine and acyclovir. This happens under the influence of valacyclovir hydrolase.
The drug 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 integrated into the 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 gastrointestinal tract. A single dose of tablets (0.25-2 g) reaches the 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 association of acyclovir with plasma is low at approximately 15%. This substance is very quickly distributed throughout all tissues. It can be found in the liver, kidneys, muscles and lungs. Acyclovir also penetrates the cerebrospinal fluid, vaginal secretions and herpetic vesicles.
In people with normal kidney function, this drug has a half-life of 3 hours. Valaciclovir is excreted in the urine.
Indications for use
Do you know the purpose for which Valvir (tablets) is prescribed? Reviews of experienced professionals inform about the following indications:
- shingles;
- labial herpes;
- recurrence of mucosal infectionsmembranes and skin (prevention and treatment) that were caused by the herpes simplex virus (including recurrent and newly diagnosed genital herpes);
- cytomegalovirus infection (prevention) that occurred during organ transplantation.
Also, the medication in question is prescribed to reduce the infection of a he althy partner with genital herpes during intercourse. However, it should be taken as a suppressive treatment in combination with other protective measures (condoms, etc.).
Contraindications for use
In what cases are patients not prescribed Valvir medication? Instructions, reviews of doctors speak of the following contraindications:
- bone marrow transplant;
- clinical form of HIV infection;
- childhood;
- kidney transplant;
- hypersensitivity to acyclovir, valaciclovir and other drug substances.
With extreme caution, the drug is prescribed to people with hepatic (especially in high doses), kidney failure, during pregnancy and during breastfeeding.
Drug "Valvir": instructions for use
We will consider reviews of this medication below.
How should I take antiviral pills? The drug 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 - 500mg twice a day. 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 dose must be taken 12 hours later.
- Prevention of recurrence of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus, in people with normal immunity - 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 the drug "Valvir" (1500) from herpes to prevent infection of a he althy partner? Reviews of experts say that people with preserved immunity, as well as with frequent relapses, the drug is prescribed in the amount of 500 mg once a day for a year. With irregular sexual intercourse, the medication should be started three days in advance.
Dose should be reduced in patients with impaired renal function.
Overdose cases of pills
What symptoms occur when Valvir is taken incorrectly? Doctors' comments indicate the following signs of an overdose: nausea, confusion, vomiting, development of renal failure, headache, increase in serum creatinine concentration, hallucinations, convulsions, agitation, coma.
Victims should be under constant medical supervision for symptoms of toxic exposure.
Hemodialysis allows you to completely remove acyclovir from the blood.
Side effects
What adverse reactions can occur while taking the drug "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 also talk about the following undesirable effects:
- abdominal discomfort;
- leukopenia, thrombocytopenia;
- anaphylaxis;
- agitation, dizziness, agitation, depression, confusion, psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, encephalopathy, mental decline, dysarthria;
- dyspnea;
- rashes, photosensitivity, itching;
- angioedema, urticaria;
- disturbances in the work of the kidneys;
- visual impairment;
- neutropenia, leukoplastic vasculitis, aplastic anemia, thrombocytopenic thrombotic purpura;
- erythema multiforme;
- hypercreatininemia, decreased hemoglobin;
- respiratory tract infections, dysmenorrhea, tachycardia, arthralgia, fatigue, nasopharyngitis, dehydration, facial swelling, 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 drug does not depend on food intake. Therefore, you can take it both during meals and after. The main thing is to observe an equal interval between daily dosages.
It should also be noted that the elderly do not require dose adjustment unless there is significant renal impairment.
There is no clinical experience with the drug in young children. Therefore, it is highly not recommended to prescribe such a drug to babies under 12-14 years old.
Medication 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 patient reviews, this medicine helps to quickly eliminate herpetic eruptions, as well as improve the patient's well-being.
"Valvir" is used not only for the treatment of the said virus, but also for preventive purposes. Many people report that the frequency of herpes is markedly reduced by taking this medicine.
It is impossible not to say that, if all the rules for taking the medicine are observed, 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 high cost.medicinal product. Currently, ten tablets (500 mg) of Valvira can be purchased for 600-680 rubles.
