Valtsik

Valcik is a drug that targets the herpes virus, a skin disease that affects any part of the body, including the lips, external genitalia, eyes, and in severe cases, the central nervous system. Once it enters the blood and lymph of a person through contact or airborne droplets, it remains there for life. There are currently no drugs that can cure this disease, but there are drugs that suppress its manifestations and reproduction. Valcik is one of them.

Indications Valtsika

In total, 8 types of herpes have been identified in humans. But not all of its varieties are indications for the use of Valcik. First of all, it is aimed at treating:

• Type 1 - simple herpes, including labial (on the lips), as well as their recurrences;
• 2nd - genital herpes;
• 3rd - shingles, which manifests itself as blistering rashes on the skin and severe pain, childhood chickenpox;
• 4th - Epstein-Barr virus, which causes mononucleosis;
• 6th type.

The drug is also used for preventive purposes:

• prevention of cytomegalovirus (type 5) infection that occurs after organ transplantation;
• in suppressive therapy.

The latter is common in European countries and America. It involves long-term use of the drug in order to avoid relapse of the disease.

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Release form

The drug is available in the form of oblong, convex tablets in a blue shell (0.5 g), one side of which is imprinted with "VC" and "500", the other is smooth. There are tablets that are smooth on both sides. They are packed in 10 pieces in blisters or in bottles containing 42 pieces.

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Pharmacodynamics

The active substance of Valcik is valacyclovir hydrochloride, the content of one tablet is 500 mg. The pharmacodynamics of the drug is as follows: during metabolic transformations under the influence of the enzyme valacyclovir hydrolase produced by the liver, it becomes a medicine, its activity is directed at cells damaged by the virus by suppressing the synthesis of their DNA. In fact, it is activated by a specific enzyme produced by infected cells and makes them an easily recognizable target. Valacyclovir also reduces the painful manifestations of shingles, acute and postherpetic neuralgia, reduces the possibility of kidney rejection due to kidney transplant surgery.

Pharmacokinetics

Once inside, valociclovir is well absorbed, slightly more than half of one gram of the substance is absorbed. Its maximum concentration in the body is reached one and a half hours after taking it and is excreted through the urinary tract, the half-life in people with healthy kidneys is 3 hours, in case of renal failure - 14 hours.

In HIV-infected people, the effect of valcik on the body is the same as in healthy people participating in the trial. In patients who have undergone a kidney transplant, an increase in its content was observed.

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Dosing and administration

Valtsik is taken orally regardless of the time of food intake. The method of administration and dosage are determined taking into account the diagnosis, the severity of the pathological process, the age of the patient, and concomitant diseases. Here are the recommended treatment regimens for various types of the virus and disease prevention, which the doctor can make adjustments to:

• herpes zoster: 1g or 2 tablets three times a day, duration of treatment is a week; it is advisable to start treatment no later than the third day after the rash;
• simple: for primary - a tablet in the morning and evening for 5-10 days; for relapses - 3-5 days;
• labial: taking 4 pieces twice a day is effective, with a gap of at least 6-12 hours between doses, and it is important to start therapy as early as possible;
• preventive treatment (to prevent recurrence of infection): people with good immunity are prescribed 1 tablet once, with immunodeficiency and HIV patients - 2 times a day;
• kidney transplant: children over 12 years old and adults - one tablet 4 times, course of treatment - 3 months or more.

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Use Valtsika during pregnancy

Use during pregnancy is permitted when the need to use the drug outweighs the possible risk of side effects. To study the effect of the drug on the body, 749 pregnant women in the first trimester were recruited. Congenital defects in children from mothers exposed to systemic exposure to valacyclovir did not exceed this figure for infants born to healthy women. However, for the use of the drug in this category of patients, such a number of trials is considered insufficient.

Contraindications

Contraindication to the use of Valcik is hypersensitivity to its components. It is also not prescribed to children, since the level of safety and effectiveness of administration for this group of patients has not been established. In addition, there are many warnings for different categories of patients:

• in case of liver diseases, approach dose increases with caution (4 mg and higher);
• renal failure and other organ dysfunctions are a reason to reduce the dose of the drug and carefully monitor the slightest changes in the patient's condition in order to stop taking it in time;
• For elderly people and patients with renal failure, it is important to maintain the necessary fluid levels in the body during treatment.

Side effects Valtsika

When taking Valcik, side effects are possible, manifesting themselves in various organs and systems of the human body:

• digestive tract: nausea, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea are possible;
• circulatory system: decrease in leukocytes and platelets;
• CNS: dizziness, tremors, headaches, convulsions, coma;
• psyche: excessive excitability, aggressive behavior;
• immunity: allergies, urticaria;
• respiratory organs: sometimes shortness of breath;
• skin: itching and rashes:
• urinary organs: urological problems;
• liver: increased liver function tests.

Overdose

Overdose of the drug causes acute renal failure and neurological syndromes: hallucinations, confusion, up to loss of consciousness. Nausea with vomiting may occur. Overdose often occurs due to the fact that elderly patients and people with kidney dysfunction problems do not adjust the therapeutic doses. If it is necessary to prescribe them, caution should be exercised and all factors in the patient's medical history should be taken into account.

Interactions with other drugs

No adverse drug interactions have been detected. There is no need to adjust the dose of Valcik when simultaneously treated with digoxin (a cardiac drug), antacids (reducing stomach acidity), diuretics (diuretics), cimetidine (gastrointestinal ulcers) or probenecid (gout). When prescribing increased doses of the drug, it is necessary to take into account the intake of other medications with the same excretion routes (tubular secretion), since this fact can affect the increased concentration of acyclovir in the blood.

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Storage conditions

Storage conditions for the roller - places where children have no access. Temperature conditions - no higher than 25-30°WITH.

Shelf life

The expiration date of the drug is 3-4 years (each manufacturer has its own); after its expiration, the drug is not suitable for use.