Introduction About VALKON 500 TABLET

VALKON 500 TABLET contains Valaciclovir, which belongs to the group of medicines called Antivirals. It is used in the management of shingles. It is also used to manage infections of the skin and mucous membranes (including the genital area) caused by the herpes simplex virus. It is also used to manage cytomegalovirus infection and disease following organ transplantation.

Shingles are a viral infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus that is generally characterised by symptoms such as a red rash, pain, burning or tingling sensations, itching and/or fluid-filled blisters in affected individuals.

Herpes simplex is a viral infection generally characterised by symptoms such as cold sores (around the lips, mouth and tongue), tingling, itching or burning sensations and/or pain while urinating. Cytomegalovirus infection is a type of viral infection that causes sores and chicken pox similar to the herpes virus in infected individuals, affecting people of all ages.

VALKON 500 TABLET is not recommended for use in patients who are allergic to valaciclovir and/or acyclovir. Before taking VALKON 500 TABLET, inform your doctor if you have anaemia or other blood disorders, HIV infection, have undergone organ transplantation, have kidney disease or have liver disease.

VALKON 500 TABLET should only be used in pregnant or breastfeeding women if necessary. VALKON 500 TABLET is not recommended for use in infants (aged below 3 months). The most common side effects of taking VALKON 500 TABLET are headache, nausea and/or gastrointestinal disturbances (such as constipation, irritable bowel syndrome and bloating). Consult your doctor if any of your symptoms worsen.

Uses Of VALKON 500 TABLET

• Manage shingles infection
• Manage herpes simplex viral infection
• Prevents cytomegalovirus infection and disease following organ transplantation in affected individuals

How VALKON 500 TABLET Works

VALKON 500 TABLET works by stopping the multiplication of the causative virus which also reduces the length and severity of the infection thus managing the disease and managing the occurrence of symptoms associated with the disease in affected individuals.

How to use VALKON 500 TABLET

Take VALKON 500 TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition. Do not stop taking VALKON 500 TABLET unless your doctor advises you to stop.

Side Effects Of VALKON 500 TABLET

How To Manage Side Effects

Headache:

Drink an ample amount of water. Get adequate rest. Try to be relaxed and stress-free. Ask your doctor before taking any medicine for headaches.

Nausea:

Take VALKON 500 TABLET with or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oily or spicy foods.

Dizziness:

Lie down until the dizziness is gone, then get up slowly. Move slowly and carefully, do not hurry. Get adequate rest. Drink plenty of water and other fluids. Avoid coffee, cigarettes, alcohol and drugs.

Warning & Precautions

Pregnancy

VALKON 500 TABLET should be used with caution during pregnancy and in women planning for pregnancy only if it is necessary. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Breastfeeding

VALKON 500 TABLET should be used with caution in breastfeeding women only if it is necessary. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine.

Driving and Using Machines

Do not drive or operate any machines which take VALKON 500 TABLET since it may cause dizziness, headache, confusion, hallucinations and/or decreased consciousness.

Kidney

VALKON 500 TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with kidney disease. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Liver

VALKON 500 TABLET should be taken with caution in patients with liver disease. Consult your doctor before taking it.

Allergy

Do not take VALKON 500 TABLET if you are allergic to Valaciclovir, acyclovir and/or any other ingredients of this medicine.

Interactions

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking VALKON 500 TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus, ciclosporin (immunosuppressant medicines used to manage organ rejection in transplant patients)
• aminoglycosides (a medicine used in the management of severe infections of the abdomen and urinary tract)
• organoplatinum compounds (medicines used in the therapy of cancers of the testes, ovaries, head & neck) Ex. quinolone, chloride

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of VALKON 500 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, hallucinations, agitation, reduced consciousness, nausea, vomiting and/or kidney failure.

Synopsis

More Information

• Keep VALKON 500 TABLET out of reach from children
• Store below 25°C

FAQs About VALKON 500 TABLET

What is the function of VALKON 500 TABLET?

VALKON 500 TABLET is used to manage shingles (a viral infection), which is also used to manage skin and mucous membrane infections (including genital infections) caused by the herpes simplex virus. The medicine is also indicated for use to manage cytomegalovirus infection and disease in patients who have undergone organ transplantation procedures.

Can I stop taking VALKON 500 TABLET?

Do not stop taking VALKON 500 TABLET without consulting your doctor, as your condition may get worse or you may have unwanted side effects. Your doctor may reduce the dose before discontinuing the medicine. If you have any more doubts regarding the use of this medicine, ask your doctor.

How do I take VALKON 500 TABLET?

Take VALKON 500 TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will determine the correct dose and duration for you depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

What happens if you take more VALKON 500 TABLET than your required dose?

If you or anyone else accidentally takes too much VALKON 500 TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of an overdose include confusion, hallucinations, agitation, reduced consciousness, nausea, vomiting and/or kidney failure.

What if I forget to take a dose of VALKON 500 TABLET?

If you forget to take a dose of VALKON 500 TABLET, take it as soon as you remember. However, omit the missed dose if it is almost time for the next dose. Do not take the medicine twice to make up for a missed dose.

References

1. KD Tripathi. Antiviral Drugs. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Seventh edition. 2013. Page – 800.

2. Sanjiv Choudhary, Shivani Dhande, Sachin Kharat and A. L. Singh. Safety and Efficacy of Different Systemic Treatment Modalities for Acute Pain of Herpes Zoster: A Pilot Study. NIH National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. April 2018. [Accessed on 9th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5885613/

3. Bethesda. Valacyclovir. NIH National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. October 2020. [Accessed on 9th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548655/

4. David W Kimberlin, Richard F Jacobs, Stephen Weller, Jan-Stefan van der Walt, Catherine K Heitman, Choy Y Man, John S Bradley. Pharmacokinetics and safety of extemporaneously compounded valacyclovir oral suspension in pediatric patients from 1 month through 11 years of age.NIH National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. PubMed.gov. January 2010. [Accessed on 9th June 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20014952/

5. Ngan N Lam, Jamie L Fleet, Eric McArthur, Peter G Blake and Amit X Garg. Higher dose versus a lower dose of antiviral therapy in the treatment of herpes zoster infection in the elderly: a matched retrospective population-based cohort study. NIH National Library of Medicine. National center for biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. September 2014. [Accessed on 9th June 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4158397/

6. Viatris Ltd. New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (MEDSAFE). [Revised in May 2022] [Accessed on 9th June 2022] https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/consumers/cmi/v/vaclovir.pdf

Useful Diagnostic Tests

• PCR