Valciclovir hydrochloride tablets are a widely used antiviral drug in Japan, mainly used to treat herpes zoster, genital herpes, herpes simplex, and chickenpox.

1、 Drug name

1. Common name: Valacivir Hydrochloride Tablets

2. Product Name: Valaciclovir GranularTablets 500mg MOCHIDA

2、 Indications

1. The treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV).

2. Inhibit the incidence of herpes simplex virus infection (herpes simplex) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant patients.

3. The treatment of herpes zoster.

4. Treatment of acne.

5. Inhibit the recurrence of genital herpes.

3、 Specifications and characteristics

1. Specification: Each package contains 556.21mg of famciclovir hydrochloride (equivalent to 500mg of famciclovir).

2. Appearance: This product is a small film coated tablet with white to slightly yellow white color.

4、 Main components

Active ingredient: Valacivir hydrochloride (Japanese herbal formula).

5、 Usage and dosage

1. Adult dosage:

Herpes simplex: 500mg once, twice a day, orally.

Inhibition of herpes simplex after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: 500mg once, twice a day, orally from 7 days before transplantation to 35 days after transplantation.

Herpes zoster/chickenpox: 1000mg once, 3 times a day, orally.

2. Children's dosage (weight over 40kg):

Herpes simplex/suppression of post transplant herpes simplex: 500mg once, twice a day, orally.

Herpes zoster/chickenpox: 1000mg once, 3 times a day, orally.

Inhibition of genital herpes recurrence: 500mg once a day, orally.

6、 Dose adjustment (for patients with renal insufficiency)

The dosing interval and dosage need to be adjusted based on creatinine clearance rate (CCr):

1. CCr ≥ 50mL/min: Administer according to the usual dosage.

2. CCr30-49mL/min: herpes simplex/post transplant inhibition (500mg) adjusted to once every 12 hours; Adjust shingles/chickenpox (1000mg) to once every 12 hours; Genital herpes suppression (500mg) is adjusted to once every 24 hours.

3. CCr10-29mL/min: herpes simplex/post transplant inhibition (500mg) adjusted to once every 24 hours; Adjust shingles/chickenpox (1000mg) to once every 24 hours; Genital herpes suppression (250mg) adjusted to once every 24 hours.

4. CCr<10mL/min: herpes simplex/post transplant inhibition (500mg) adjusted to once every 24 hours; Adjust herpes zoster/chickenpox (500mg) to once every 24 hours; Genital herpes suppression (250mg) adjusted to once every 24 hours.

5. Hemodialysis patients: Medication should be administered after dialysis, and further reduction should be considered (such as 250mg every 24 hours).

7、 Medication precautions

1. Usage: To prevent the bitter taste of the medicine, it should be swallowed whole and not chewed.

2. Treatment start time: To achieve the best therapeutic effect, medication should be started as early as possible in the early stages of onset (preferably within 5 days of rash appearance for shingles and within 2 days for chickenpox).

3. Observation of treatment course:

Herpes simplex/varicella: If there is no improvement or deterioration after 5-7 days of use, dressing should be changed.

Herpes zoster: If there is no improvement or deterioration after 7 days of use, dressing should be changed.

4. Inhibition of genital herpes recurrence:

If recurrence occurs during the inhibition period, it can be temporarily changed to 500mg once, twice a day (therapeutic dose) until recovery.

If there is frequent recurrence, it may be considered to adjust to 250mg twice a day or 1000mg once a day.

It is recommended to evaluate the need for continued medication after one year of use.

5. Missed ingestion/vomiting: not explicitly mentioned in the instructions. It is recommended to take the missed dose as soon as possible, but if it is close to the next medication time, the missed dose should be skipped. Vomiting occurs shortly after taking medication, and the need for supplementation can be determined based on the duration of vomiting.

8、 Medication for special populations

1. Patients with renal dysfunction: The dosage must be adjusted according to renal function (see Article 6 for details) and closely observed, as they have a higher risk of developing neurological and psychiatric symptoms and kidney damage.

2. Patients with liver dysfunction: Lack of clinical data, should be used with caution.

3. Pregnant women: Use only when the benefits of treatment outweigh the risks.

4. Breastfeeding women: The active metabolite acyclovir can enter breast milk, and it is necessary to decide whether to breastfeed under the guidance of a doctor.

5. Children: For those weighing over 40kg, medication can be administered according to the dosage for children; The safety of low birth weight infants, newborns, and babies has not yet been established.

6. Elderly people: usually have decreased kidney function, which can lead to an increase in blood drug concentration. It is necessary to adjust the dosage according to kidney function and closely observe.

9、 Adverse reactions

1. Major side effects:

Allergic reactions (anaphylactic shock, angioedema).

Hematological system (complete blood cell reduction, granulocyte deficiency, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation).

Acute kidney injury, tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Symptoms of the nervous system (consciousness disorders, delirium, hallucinations, delusions, seizures, encephalopathy, etc., usually recoverable after discontinuation of medication).

Skin mucosal eye syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis.

Respiratory depression, interstitial pneumonia, hepatitis, liver dysfunction, jaundice, acute pancreatitis.

2. Other side effects: such as headache, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, rash, increased liver function test values, etc.

10、 Contraindications

It is contraindicated for patients with a history of allergies to the ingredients of this product or acyclovir.

11、 Drug interactions

1. Probenecid: Inhibits the excretion of acyclovir and increases its blood drug concentration, should be used with caution.

2. Cimetidine: inhibits the excretion of acyclovir, increases its blood concentration, and should be used with caution.

3. Mycophenolate mofetil: competes with acyclovir for renal tubular secretion, leading to an increase in both drug concentrations in the blood. It should be used with caution.

12、 Storage method

1. Storage: Store at room temperature.

2. Validity period: 3 years.

Valaciclovir hydrochlorideinformation