What is Valcivir (Valacyclovir HCL) used for?

Valcivir contains the active ingredient Valacyclovir, which is a nucleoside analogue DNA polymerase inhibitor. It is rapidly converted to acyclovir, which has demonstrated antiviral activity against the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and the varicella zoster virus both in vitro and in vivo.

Valcivir (Valacyclovir) is indicated for the treatment of various herpes virus infections, such as cold sores (herpes labialis), suppression of episodes of genital herpes in immunocompetent and HIV-infected patients, reduction of the transmission of genital herpes in immunocompetent patients, herpes zoster (shingles) in immunocompetent adults, and chickenpox in children.

How should I use Valcivir (Valacyclovir HCL)?

- Adults

Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis)
The recommended dosage is 2gm twice daily for 1 day, taken about 12 hours apart.

Initial Episodes
The recommended dosage is 1gm twice daily for 10 days. Therapy was most effective when administered within 48 hours of the onset of signs and symptoms.

Recurrent Episodes
The recommended dosage is 500mg twice daily for 3 days.

Suppressive Therapy
The recommended dosage is 1 gm once daily in patients with normal immune function. In patients with a history of nine or fewer recurrences per year, an alternative dose is 500mg once daily. In HIV-infected patients with CD4 cell count >100 cells/mm3, the recommended dosage is 500mg twice daily.

Reduction of Transmission
The recommended dosage for reduction of the transmission of genital herpes in patients with a history of nine or fewer recurrences per year is 500 mg once daily for the source partner.

Herpes Zoster
The recommended dosage is 1gm orally, three times daily for 7 days. Therapy should be initiated at the earliest sign or symptom of herpes zoster and is most effective when started within 48 hours of the onset of the herpes zoster rash.

- Children

Cold Sores (Herpes Labialis)
The recommended dosage for the treatment of cold sores in patients, 12 years of age and older, is 2 gm twice daily for 1 day, taken 12 hours apart.

Chickenpox
The recommended dosage for treatment of chickenpox in immunocompetent patients aged 2 - 18 years is 20 mg/kg, administered three times daily for 5 days. The total dose should not exceed 1 gm three times daily.

If you do not understand the instructions shown on this page or on package, ask your physician or pharmist for help.

What are the side effects of Valcivir (Valacyclovir HCL)?

• headache
• dizziness
• nausea
• abdominal pain
• dysmenorrhoea
• depression
• arthralgia
• vomiting
• fatigue
• rash
• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• pyrexia
• dehydration
• herpes simplex
• rhinorrhoea

Please Note

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura/haemolytic uraemic syndrome (TTP/HUS), in some cases, resulting in death, has occurred in patients with advanced HIV disease and also in allogeneic bone marrow transplant and renal transplant recipients participating in clinical trials of valacyclovir at doses of 8 gm per day.

Treatment with Valtrex should be stopped immediately if clinical signs, symptoms, and laboratory abnormalities consistent with TTP/HUS occur.